Peugeot’s new hotshot hero might find a home here.

‘PERFORMANCE-tuned sleek Euro with electrifying edge’ – a descriptive ticking these many boxes is bound to win a lot of attention.

So good news is that the rights holder to Peugeot in New Zealand is striving to get the latest hot ticket item from France out here.

In comment relating to the announcement of the 508 PSE, Auto Distributors’ NZ commercial manager Arek Zywot says: “ADNZ is working closely with PSA to bring the 508 PSE to NZ, more details yet to be announced at the beginning of next year.”

A car that broke cover at the weekend is a special treat by Peugeot to itself, developed to mark the launch of the make’s new Sport Engineered division.

In staying wholly in tune with these changing times, PSA’s premier player has ignored slotting in a petrol-hungry V6, the choice it might have taken a few years back, and instead gone for a performance plug-in hybrid set-up.

The powertrain comprises a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor mounted on each axle. The system generates a combined output of 263kW and 520Nm of torque – making it the most powerful powertrain Peugeot has ever fitted to a production vehicle.

Peugeot says the car will dispatch the 0–100kmh sprint in 5.2 seconds, before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250km. Thanks to the instant torque from the electric motors, the car’s claimed in-gear acceleration is spectacular. For instance, it’ll nail 80kmh to 120kmh in three seconds flat. Hold onto those berets, right!

The 508 PHEV’s 11.5kWh battery pack provides a maximum pure-electric range of 42km, while recharging from a domestic wallbox charger will top up the battery in less than two hours. What’s more, with a full charge, the powertrain will deliver a claimed WLTP fuel economy figure of 59 km per litre and generate just 46g/km of CO2.

To support the extra power, Peugeot has fitted the 508 with quite a number of chassis tweaks, including new adjustable dampers, a widened track and larger diameter front brakes with fixed four-piston calipers. It has 20-inch alloy wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

There’s some restyling, too, with an aggressive front bumper, a gloss black rear diffuser, a new radiator grille and twin exhausts. Naturally, it achieves “Sport Engineered” badges and there are three unique paint finishes.

The interior makeover includes sports seats clad in Alcantara and leather upholstery and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10-inch infotainment system have Sport Engineered displays.