This feed contains the latest All feed items for the PEUGEOT 508 RXH model. http://www.motortorque.com/ Copyright 2013 MotorTorque All Rights Reserved. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss Automotive Website Framework Engine (2.9.1208.1803) Peugeot's stunning new compact crossover, the 2008, makes its world debut, in road-ready production form, at this year's Geneva Motor Show. After the 208 comes the 2008, which builds on the success of the popular supermini, with its perfect mix of contemporary styling, clean and efficient engines and versatile cabin. The 2008 truly is an exciting addition to Peugeot's already comprehensive line-up. In terms of the versatile cabin, the Project Manager for the 2008, Agnes Tesson Faget, commented: 'We wanted to create an exceptional on-board space for our customers which takes care of all the occupants and offers them new sensations.' Faget further added: 'The unique ergonomics of the instruments and controls, the careful choice of materials, the quality of assembly, the light ambience... the 2008 stimulates the senses.' The new Peugeot 2008 comes with a range of engines, from 1.2 litres to 1.6 litres, utilising either petrol or diesel fuel - all with different levels of fuel economy. The Peugeot 2008 will also be available with Peugeot Connect Apps, which allows the driver to travel with complete autonomy and freedom in their environment. Applications will include traffic and parking information, weather updates and tourist attractions. The Peugeot 2008 will be officially on sale late in the summer, with demand anticipated to be as strong as it has been for the acclaimed 208. Our MotorTorque video team are currently at the Geneva Motor Show, reporting back on all of the cars and concepts from the week. You can watch our day two round-up video below. http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/geneva-motor-show---peugeot-2008-21569.aspx Glenn Doyle Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT Peugeot will be revealing its groundbreaking environmental technology at the Geneva Motor Show with its 2008 HYbrid Air. Peugeot plans to combine petrol with compressed air in what it describes as a full-hybrid solution. Peugeot's overall goal with the car is to one day return 140mpg. Part of Peugeot's overall strategy is to reduce the average CO2 of its emissions range to 116g/km by 2015. The HYbrid Air hopes to contribute toward that without compromising on driving pleasure. Three driving modes will be available on the car: Air (ZEV), Petrol and Combined. Air mode allows drivers to control the vehicle with the energy contained in the compressed air tank, which displaces a corresponding volume of oil. Air mode is best suited for urban driving, according to the manufacturer, as the tank supplies the hydraulic motor coupled to the drivetrain. As the engine is switched off, the 2008 HYbrid Air moves without consuming any fuel or emitting any CO2. Petrol mode powers the car via its 1.2-litre VTi 3-cylinder petrol engine, while Combined mode provides the best of both worlds. 200 engineering specialists have worked on the HYbrid Air, which also takes a lot of cues from a number of other models from the manufacturer. Some facts can be found on the HYbrid4 diesel-electric hybrid, for example, and the 3008 Crossover. The technology has also been extended to the 508 RXH and the 508 Saloon HYbrid4. The 2008 HYbrid Air promises to provide the highest efficiency in various motoring situations by using its compressed air at stages which use the most energy such as accelerating and moving off. Peugeot says that in a recent homologation cycle test, a figure of 97.4mpg was achieved and CO2levels of just 69g/km for the 2008 HYbrid Air. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjqFihLltSY http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/peugeot-to-reveal-2008-hybrid-air-at-geneva-21368.aspx Ant Bradshaw Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT French motoring manufacturer Peugeot has created what you could argue is its masterpiece. However, rather than designing something you'd typically expect to see from them, like a car for instance, Peugeot has in fact revealed its own grand piano. Named the Peugeot Design Lab Pleyel piano, the creation of a custom designed musical instrument by a car manufacturer may initially be scoffed at by some. However Peugeot indicates they took this invention very seriously indeed, revealing its build required a team of designers, engineers and technicians, plus months of research and testing to retain the high sound quality associated with French piano maker, Pleyel. At the same time it appears Peugeot's 120-plus year history as a car manufacturer managed to have some influence on the piano's development. The creation features a number of unique innovations for pianos, which have since been patented. Peugeot excitedly report that its Design Lab Pleyel is the first ever piano which allows the audience to see the artist playing it "from all frontal views". The creation has been revealed to the public alongside "X Factor sensation" Ella Henderson, who also gave the piano a test drive with an acoustic rendition of the song 'Believe' by Cher. Henderson sounded very excited indeed, commenting: "The design of it is so different to anything I've played on before and while it comes from a company more recognised for their stylish cars, it looks so futuristic and sounds incredible". The 17 year old added: "It definitely added something to my performance today. My emotions today were a mixture of excitement and nervous energy, but I was worried people might be paying more attention to the piano than me!" Details on whether Peugeot's piano will have any influence on future car models remains scarce. However the invention could at least lead the manufacturer towards a new path should it ever get bored or the car business folds altogether. http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/peugeot-turns-attention-to-pianos-21081.aspx Stephen Goldasz Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT Peugeot has released the first official images and details on its new production-ready mini-SUV, the urban 2008, which will rival the likes of the Nissan Juke and the Vauxhall Mokka. In a similar vain to its rivals this new crossover uses the wheelbase of a supermini, the Peugeot 208 to be exact. A concept of the Peugeot 2008 was revealed to the public previously at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The final production model looks virtually identical to its concept counterpart, with all differences proving very minor in comparison. Like the concept, the production Peugeot 2008 sports a step roofline at the top, accompanied with roof rails and a glass sunroof. The car also features a raised ride height, flared wheel arches and bumpers and sills painted in black. Other details like the front grille and rear headlights are designed very similar to the Peugeot 208 supermini. Beyond the looks of the production-ready 2008, little else has been confirmed by Peugeot regarding its new crossover. The French manufacturer has revealed though that the 2008 measures at 4.16 metres long, making it 200mm longer than the 208 it's based on, allowing the car to offer more boot space and rear passenger legroom. The engine range for the Peugeot 2008 is also set to include e-HDi diesel options and a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. The petrol unit is expected to offer 110bhp, while the e-HDi diesel will reportedly produce 92bhp and return a road-tax beating CO2 emission figure of 99g/km. Other engines that'll reportedly join the 2008 range include a 156bhp 1.6-litre THP petrol engine. All powertrains for the 2008 will operate with front-wheel drive only. There will be no four-wheel drive powertrain but this absence will be compensated on the Peugeot with the inclusion of a "Grip Control" traction system which can vary the torque feed through the front wheels. This along with the "Mud&Snow" tyres that'll be fitted standard should give the Peugeot 2008 some level of off-road capability. Reports across the media suggest the Peugeot 2008 will launch to UK customers in September this year, with prices starting from around £13,000. Written by Stephen Goldasz http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/production-ready-peugeot-2008-unveiled-20872.aspx Stephen Goldasz Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT The Peugeot logo will get its second major redesign in two years tomorrow when the traditional lion is replaced by a cuddly bear. However, fans of the French car maker need not worry, the change is a temporary one to support Children in Need and the bear in question is mascot of the charity, Pudsey. The eye patch-wearing yellow bear will strike a lion-like pose for the cute logo update as the brand aims to raise awareness of the event. Full page adverts will be taken out in the Metro and The Times newspapers with the logo and the word Peugeot written underneath, as well as on the brand's social media channels. The logo change is being used to advertise Peugeot's Children in Need game which allows users to design a weird and wonderful Peugeot-based car and, with a donation, enter a competition to win a new Peugeot 208 supermini. Entries to the competition so far include outlandish inventions sporting monster truck-style wheels, rally headlamps, huge spoilers and even comedy spectacles. The winning entry will be delivered a new Peugeot 208 hatchback. The three door supermini is the latest new car to enter the Peugeot range as a rival to the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa in the lucrative small car market. In 2010, Peugeot revamped its lion logo for the 26th time in its 200-year history to give it a more 'dynamic' feel for the 21st century. As well as becoming more three-dimensional, the new lion logo does not use the blue flag seen on previous iterations and is now tongue-less. It first appeared on the Peugeot RCZ coupe, released later that year, and has been seen on every new Peugeot since. The new one-off, more cuddly Peugeot logo will not appear on any Peugeot cars but will adorn the brand's online presence for the day in order to raise awareness of Children in Need, which raises money for disadvantaged children in the UK. Written by Stephen Hurrell. http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/peugeot-drops-lion-for-new-cuddlier-logo-20443.aspx Stephen Hurrell Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT Peugeot is introducing a 3G dongle and connected apps upgrade to models that feature the manufacturer's upcoming Peugeot Connect touchscreen technology. But while the dongle will offer seamless connectivity to the web, critics have highlighted that it will probably require a contract to maintain the mobile data service offered. Peugeot Connect is available to French motorists from late November, while no UK date has yet been announced. Peugeot Connect is expected to hit these shores in early 2013. The 3G dongle will give models such as the 308 and RCZ coupe access to a huge range of internet-connected apps, including ones that can locate car parks with spaces and apps that offer crowd-sourced points of interest. The dongle plugs into the Peugeot Connect USB port. Ten apps will be available from launch. The 3G dongle will offer Peugeot drivers a different way to connect to the internet from smartphone-centric software such as Mini Connected and the Vauxhall Adam's IntelliLink. Peugeot Connect is thought to be a response to French rival Renault's Android-based in-car tablet, R-Link. R-Link was available for people to view at the recent Paris Motor Show, with the technology being the first time Google's operating system has been integrated by a major manufacturer. R-Link will be available in the new Renault Clio and the new Zoe electric car. It will be an important part of the centre console, with the models featuring a seven-inch touuchscreen and personalised home screen. R-Link though isn't able to be removed, and is a permanent part of the dashboard. It features six core apps - a phone app, multimedia, navigation, vehicle, services and application buttons. R-Link is an entirely independent feature for Renault, meaning that there's no need for drivers to use a phone to download or use apps. Written by John Meadowcroft http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/3g-dongle-and-app-upgrade-for-new-peugeots-19746.aspx John Meadowcroft Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT 8,000 French workers have been made redundant with news that PSA Peugeot Citroen's Aulnay plant is to close in 2014, with further redundancies in its Rennes-based plant and more across the country. The last plant closure in France was over two decades ago underlining the current ill health throughout the industry in Europe. After announcing 3,000 job losses in Aulnay, 1,400 losses in Rennes and 3,600 more across the nation, Peugeot chairman Philippe Varin called for the French government to take action to reduce labour costs, telling RTL Radio: "We would like to see a reduction of the charges weighing on labour costs." "I am fully aware of the seriousness of today's announcements, as well as of the shock and emotions they will arouse in the company and its stakeholding environment. "The depth and persistence of the crisis impacting our business in Europe have now made this reorganisation project indispensable in order to align our production capacity with foreseeable market trends," he added. Peugeot lost £552million in the first half of 2012, and the company continues to haemorrhage an estimated £159million each month. As Europe's second-largest automaker Peugeot is one of France's largest employers, with close to 100,000 workers on the payroll. Arnaud Montebourg, Industry Minister has voiced his discontent, describing the cuts as "an earthquake for the French economy" and a "declaration of war". "We don't accept Peugeot's plan in its current form," he told parliament. He has also asked ministers to 'ask Peugeot to examine all other possible solutions in good faith'. Newly-elected French president Francois Hollande has told ministers to minimise the social fallout, according to his office, and expressed that he was "extremely concerned" about the cuts. The French government is expected to release a broad auto-sector support plan on July 25. Peugeot's shares plummeted by 7.5 percent at 10:15 this morning (British time) as investors digested the restructuring plans. Peugeot is expected to have negative operating cash flow until 2015. 1,500 jobs are expected to be created after the Aulnay factory closes in 2014, as the converted factory will be able to accommodate other businesses and industries. "In this way , we will secure the group's future and our car production base in France," adds Mr Varin. Written by John Meadowcroft http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/peugeot-announces-8000-job-cuts-by-2014-18988.aspx John Meadowcroft Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Peugeot has revealed a new crossover concept at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. Like virtually every crossover, the Peugeot concept has a muscular stance and combines coupe styling with SUV road capabilities. The design also features wrap around headlights and almost windswept body contours. At the front the Urban Crossover has a floating chrome front grille and a highly sculpted bonnet. At the rear it features a small spoiler, synonymous with crossovers, and embedded taillights that concave into the rear bumper. With its aluminium spoiler, the concepts design cues are slightly akin to the RCZ Sports Coupe. The Urban crossover concept has a length of 4.14m and a width of 1.74m. When stripped down it rides on the same platform as the new Peugeot 208 supermini, therefore a production model isn't out of the question, although nothing has been officially announced yet. A production version may allow Peugeot to compete with other lucrative crossovers like the Nissan Juke. The Peugeot Urban Crossover will make its European debut at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012. http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/peugeot-unveils-urban-crossover-concept-18260.aspx Richard Bush Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT The 508 SW is a brilliant car to drive because it manages to provide the best of both worlds thanks to a combination of firm handling – limiting bodyroll and improving control around corners – and comfort, with Peugeot careful not to make the suspension too firm as to make it uncomfortable. That means it’s great for motorway cruising.The only downside came with the steering which doesn’t give quite as much feedback as you’d like. http://www.motortorque.com/research/a-to-z/2012-03/peugeot-508-sw-estate-8292.aspx Robin Brown Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:34:22 GMT The 508 is impressively economic, particularly with the 112bhp 1.6-litre e-HDi diesel engine which emits just 109g/km in CO2 and has a fuel economy of 67mpg. Other engines perform well in this area to, with the GT model producing the most CO2 at just 150g/km. The basic 1.6-litre petrol engines still offer a fuel economy of 44 or 45mpg. http://www.motortorque.com/research/a-to-z/2012-03/peugeot-508-saloon-8291.aspx Robin Brown Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:34:21 GMT