After much ado, Peugeot has finally lifted the curtains on its 508 RXH diesel-electric hybrid before its slated launch at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung or Frankfurt Motor Show, in September this year. The vehicle is likely to go on sale during the second quarter of 2012 next year and has all the makings of becoming one of the most fuel efficient off-road hybrid crossovers in the world.
The powertrain of the 508 RXH includes a 2.0 liter HDi diesel engine connected to a 28KW (38HP) electric motor. The system used to power the 508 RXH is quite similar to the one found in 3008 Hybrid4. The combined power of the diesel-electric engine gives an output of 147 kW (200 HP) and a maximum torque of 332 lbs-ft. This enormous power of the hybrid engine is responsible for making the 508 RXH one of the toughest off-road beasts to have been unveiled recently.
Since the RXH is a hybrid vehicle, it is bound to be less polluting than its gas guzzling cousins. The 508 RXH offers a fuel efficiency of 4.2 liter/100 km and can also run on fully electric mode for short distances. More details on the 508 FXH’s environmentally friendly nature would be available once the car debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year. But its hybrid engine is said to emit only about 109g/km of CO2, which is not all that bad given the fact that technology for hybrid vehicles is still at a nascent stage.
The look of this all-wheel drive hybrid vehicle is quite suitable for the times we live in. The car is quite stylish and yet cheaper in comparison to other alternatives, such as Volkswagen. The body of the 508 RXH is quite wide compared to other vehicles in its class. The front of the car has been fitted with Peugeot’s new floating front grille as well as a completely new set of running lights designed to mimic “lion’s claws”.
On the inside, one would find all the standard features of a modern day car. The seats are covered in “fine quality” upholstery. The standard equipment one would get on the 508 RXH are the heads-up-display, a panoramic glass roof, a new generation audio system and satellite navigational unit. Endowed with all these features, the Peugeot 508 RXH is all set to take on the Audi A4 Allroad Quattro.
Via: AutoBlog
