When I was told I would be reviewing the new Peugeot 508 I didn’t know how to feel, I have come to understand how cars from Germany, Japan and Korea feel like, or the way their branding team wants me to feel when I get into the car. The question I kept asking myself was ‘how do I feel when I get into a French car’?
Many of my fellow women are very much aware of French brands, names of handbags and perfumes, high-end fashion have become common place in Asian society but the Peugeot brand with its silent ‘t’ needed to be put through its paces before a verdict could be handed down.
It has urban zip and long legs on the highway, the steering is responsive and the car feels agile for its size. The gearbox is smooth the power transition between gears is enjoyable but not too sporty, so you don’t find yourself dealing with big changes in revs especially when driving around town.
Unlike many French designer shoes the Peugeot 508 is ‘a typically French saloon, offering a comfortable drive rather than a sporting one’ which means inside passengers are treated to lots of space and a high-quality interior. The dashboard is well made and the seats are supportive and comfortable. I’m not sure if this helps us understand French culture any further but it makes for an enjoyable driving experience.
Blind spot monitors are a welcome gadget, a reversing camera and sensors on all four corners of the car are all good items in the Malaysian context, especially if you are like me and are constantly worried about motorbikes. The Peugeot 508 has a strong safety record – it scored the maximum five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests and a 97% rating for its active safety systems.
Peugeot’s BlueHDi diesel engines mean the latest 508 is fuel-efficient which has become more important lately, according to Peugeot in Europe the majority of Peugeot 508s approximately 65% will be company executive cars, its smart image and efficient engines give it plenty of appeal for business owners.
As a businesswoman the Peugeot 508 is an interesting statement to make, it is European but not German it’s fuel efficient 1.6 litre engine reminds me of a Japanese car, all in all it’s a car that any respectable businesswoman can be seen in.
The on the road price is under RM180,000 which makes this car good value for money considering what you are getting, I would suggest finding the time to arrange a test drive.
To arrange a test drive contact Nasim Sdn Bhd (441264-U) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Naza Group of Companies. The company was appointed as the official distributor of the Peugeot brand in Malaysia commencing January 2008. Nasim Sdn Bhd has been steadily growing the brand to become the best-selling French marque in Malaysia. Arrange a Test Drive
Somaya Ong is the Women’s Lifestyle Editor of the Business Lifestyle Review, she brings a female perspective to how the business world should work and play.