Future Peugeot 508s may be split into two distinct models

Peugeot has released its heavily updated 508 saloon and estate, but already rumours are swirling that its replacement could actually be provided by two distinct models – one sleek and low, the other bigger and more practical.

The most obvious change is to the front, where there is a new 308-style grille and broader, wing-shaped headlights, with the conventional bulbs replaced by LEDs. There are revisions to the interior including new dials and steering wheel, a new central touch screen and a standard-fit heads-up display.

Under that new bonnet lie some updated and new engines too. The new 165hp 1.6 petrol turbo probably won’t mean much to Irish buyers, but the updated 2.0-litre diesels, now badged BlueHDI, will. You can have either a 150hp version that emits 105g/km or a 178hp version that emits 111g/km. Peugeot’s new 1.6-litre 120hp BlueHDI engine should make an appearance in the 508 shortly too, and that will likely push its CO2 emissions down below 100g/km.

As to its replacement, Peugeot boss Maxim Picat confirmed to Autocar that the firm is considering bifurcating the future 508 range into two distinct models. Roughly following Mercedes' lead with the big and practical E-Class and the slinky CLS sharing the same basic structure, the future 508 range could well be made up of a low-slung four-door coupé and a taller, more practical estate, which will likely also come in an Audi Allroad-style 4x4 variant, similar to today's hybrid-powered 508 RXH.