WALLPAPERS

Look familiar? It should, so long as you've been scoping out auto show coverage from abroad. The 2011 Peugeot 508 is the first production Peugeot to wear the brand's new design language, but the look was introduced on both the 5 by Peugeot concept from the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, along with the slinky SR1 conceptual roadster.
It's an improvement over Peugeot's outgoing design language, which seemed hell-bent on adding a wild, gaping grille and headlamps that stretched from the fenders to the A-pillars. Instead, the 508 wears a clean, chiseled look -- though we wonder if the entire look is a touch too sedate.
2011 Peugeot 508 Sedan Rear View
While it's designed to replace Peugeot's former flagship, the 607 sedan, the car is actually based on the platform used in the smaller Citroen C5 and the outgoing 407. Looking at the specs, the 607 is roughly 10 millimeters longer than the 407, but 20 millimeters shy of the 607. Go figure.
Apart from dimensions, Peugeot's not releasing much concrete data surrounding the 508. We'd expect a range of gas and diesel engines to be offered, and Peugeot says a new start/stop system will be paired with the diesels to help boost fuel economy by as much as 15 percent. Fuel misers may wish to hold off for a hybrid model due in 2012, which will reportedly offer both 200 horsepower and all-wheel-drive.

2011 Peugeot 508