Team-BHP > The Indian Car Scene


Closed Thread
  Search this Thread
19,698 views
Old 10th January 2012, 14:17   #1
GTO
Team-BHP Support
 
GTO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Bombay
Posts: 70,335
Thanked: 298,727 Times
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

Peugeot's second attempt in the Indian market is certainly not going to be an easy one. There's still a lot of bad blood between potential 309 owners who haven't even gotten their deposits back!

That Peugeot will be launching the 508 & 207 is no secret to BHPians (Link to Scoop Thread). Peugeot is also setting up a manufacturing facility in Gujarat.

The relevant-to-India 207 hatchback was conspicuous by its absence at the Peugeot stall:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508.jpg

The 508 will initially be imported as a CBU, hence expect pricing in the region of mid-20s. It's one solid European car, and that has looks to match. I never really cared much about it, until I saw it in person. The lines are extremely proportionate & the luxo-sedan does look like a million bucks. This car was globally launched at the 2010 Paris Motor Show while China will soon be its single largest market:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-1.jpg

Unless Peugeot does something really different with the price & positioning, this car will end up as another "has been" in the 20+ lakh segment. There is no real differentiator or stand-out factor:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-2.jpg

5-star safety rating in the NCAP:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-3.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-4.jpg

I absolutely love the clean, tight rear:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-5.jpg

Bling alloy wheels:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-6.jpg

Interior quality is outstanding, and easily on par with the Cs & 3s of the world:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-7.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-8.jpg

Limited leg-room at the back. Plus, the seat is placed really low too. This is a poor choice of car for the chauffeur-driven:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-9.jpg

204 BHP 2.2L turbo-diesel mated to a conventional (no dual-clutch) 6 speed automatic transmission. Engine has 450 Nm of torque!
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-10.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-508-11.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 10th January 2012 at 15:32.
GTO is offline   (6) Thanks
Old 10th January 2012, 14:21   #2
GTO
Team-BHP Support
 
GTO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Bombay
Posts: 70,335
Thanked: 298,727 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

Peugeot showcased its Hybrid4 system. The Hybrid4 is a diesel engine + electric motor, mated to a 4WD platform. The Peugeot 3008 is the world's first production diesel-hybrid on sale:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-auto-expo-2012.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-auto-expo-2012-1.jpg

The Hybrid4 can deliver fuel economy of up to 3.8L / 100 kms:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-auto-expo-2012-2.jpg

A 163 BHP diesel engine & a 37 BHP electric motor:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-auto-expo-2012-3.jpg

It can also run in full-electric mode for a couple of kms & upto 50 kph:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-auto-expo-2012-4.jpg

The Le Mans 908 HDi race car. In 2011, this car had 5 pole positions and 6 wins of 7 total races!
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-auto-expo-2012-6.jpg

Power comes from a 3.7 liter common-rail diesel with 550 BHP on tap:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-auto-expo-2012-7.jpg

Weighs lesser than a Maruti Swift. 900 kilos only:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-auto-expo-2012-8.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-auto-expo-2012-9.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 10th January 2012 at 15:28.
GTO is offline   (3) Thanks
Old 10th January 2012, 14:23   #3
GTO
Team-BHP Support
 
GTO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Bombay
Posts: 70,335
Thanked: 298,727 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

Peugeot's budget sports car, the RCZ, has been on sale since 2010. It was never meant to go into production, but the concept received such a good response that Peugeot changed plan. It's available with a 2 liter diesel or 1.6 liter petrol engine, and has been an unexpected success for the French company. The base RCZ starts at a mere GBP 17,000 in the UK. Peugeot India should definitely launch the RCZ at ~30 lakhs at the time of the 508's introduction; it will bring the company the attention it badly needs:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-rcz.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-rcz-1.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-rcz-2.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-rcz-3.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-rcz-4.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-rcz-5.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 10th January 2012 at 15:30.
GTO is offline   (2) Thanks
Old 10th January 2012, 14:24   #4
GTO
Team-BHP Support
 
GTO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Bombay
Posts: 70,335
Thanked: 298,727 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

The awkward looking 3008 is Peugeot's 5-seater crossover. The crowds were attracted to its MPV-like stance, but disappointed at the lack of a 3rd row of seats. Rear legroom is surprisingly limited. The 3008 ought to give India a pass:
Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-3008.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-3008-1.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-3008-2.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-3008-3.jpg

Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012-peugeot-3008-4.jpg

Last edited by GTO : 10th January 2012 at 15:39.
GTO is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 10th January 2012, 15:36   #5
GTO
Team-BHP Support
 
GTO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Bombay
Posts: 70,335
Thanked: 298,727 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Auto Expo 2012 Section!
GTO is offline  
Old 10th January 2012, 15:46   #6
Team-BHP Support
 
Rudra Sen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 11,553
Thanked: 6,477 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

After a long time there are something not ME TOO design.
508 has one of the smoothest rear design according to me. In dark shade this car will look stunning. Yes, wheel is too bling for this super smooth design.

Not only 508 but both RCZ and 3008 sporting extremely well balanced rear design. Nice feel for a change.
Rudra Sen is offline  
Old 10th January 2012, 16:10   #7
BHPian
 
SankalpDesai's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Frankfurt
Posts: 245
Thanked: 71 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

The French seem to have picked up the design talent from the Italians. The cars are so drool-worthy. I would love to drive the 508 anyday. Its just so unique and so non-japanese.

The RCZ resembles the Audi TT at times, but comes out way better due to those curves at all the right/wrong places. I'm sure they would have been a treat to look at in-person.

Can't wait to see them on Indian roads soon.
SankalpDesai is offline  
Old 10th January 2012, 16:47   #8
BHPian
 
iceman7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: BOM | TLL
Posts: 751
Thanked: 469 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

Love the rear and the neatly set dual exhausts on the 508

A 2.2 turbo diesel with 204 BHP and 450 Nm of torque sounds sweet too!!

But with a 20+ lac price tag, don't you think it's priced on the wrong side of 20L?

Also, does Peugeot have any plans to manufacture this in India in the future. This would reduce the price. No?

Edit: - What is the set of 7-8 LED (i assume) behind the projectors in the headlight casing?

Th3 508 would look smoking in Red!!

Last edited by iceman7 : 10th January 2012 at 16:49.
iceman7 is offline  
Old 10th January 2012, 16:55   #9
kkg
BHPian
 
kkg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: India,New Delhi
Posts: 318
Thanked: 115 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

I saw 508 yesterday in metal. It is different from almost everything on road in its class (like Fluence). They have kept the rear so clean that the 508 monogram has be stuck on bumper.
kkg is offline  
Old 10th January 2012, 17:33   #10
BHPian
 
mac187's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Plano, Texas
Posts: 687
Thanked: 750 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

These cars are a well come break from the korean designs we have been subjected to till now.

The biggest test will be gaining the goodwill back. That is the hardest. They ought to toss a bait for their old customers and the one's who lost their deposits.
mac187 is offline  
Old 10th January 2012, 17:34   #11
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: New Delhi
Posts: 1,243
Thanked: 793 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

Interesting comment about interior quality. To me, that means that it is slightly better quality that VW/Skoda products (Passat/Superb) and infinitely better than the Japs/Koreans (Accord/Camry). No surpise that PSA/Citroen enjoys a near premium positions for a few of its products in Europe.

To my eyes, 508 is the best looking sedan in its class (assuming Passat/Superb/Accord/Camry) by a million mile. Just like you, I love the classy, understated and elegant looks,

However, India is a different market than Europe. Peugeot has no 'brand presence' or respect in India. They have to bring classy products@competetive prices to lure us Indians. Or else run after the so called 'premium positioning' and risk not selling their cars at all. If I were them, I'd try to get the products to as many people as possible, they see it, feel it and slowly start appreciating it.

Take two cases:

Case1: Skoda--> Unknown when it came to India--> sold Octavias --> People bought tons of cars--> They appreciated the cars--> Surprising 'premium' position for the brand.

Case2: Renault--> Averagely known--> Gunned for 'premium positioning' for Fluence, Koleos--> Not many cars sell--> Still an averagely known/respected brand.

Which approach would you pick?

Last edited by GTO : 11th January 2012 at 16:14. Reason: Please quote ONLY the relevant bits of a post. Quoting an entire long message inconveniences our mobile users
Abhi_Automobile is offline  
Old 10th January 2012, 17:51   #12
Senior - BHPian
 
Swanand Inamdar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,644
Thanked: 586 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

508 sure is a looker. Once the cars become a CKD, the prices should also go down considerably. Should be a treat to drive too. I loved the clean lines on it. Very elegant sans those alloys!

Loved the RCZ. Absolute must bring to India.
Swanand Inamdar is offline  
Old 10th January 2012, 17:53   #13
Senior - BHPian
 
MaserQ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,196
Thanked: 166 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

Peugeot are just setting up shop in India and the 207 may not be on the immediate agenda, hence the absence.

The 508 is not just a car launch for Peugeot but an opportunity to redeem themselves for past failures. Much will depend on Peugeot's initial strategy though. They do have an extremely impressive car with which to start afresh.
MaserQ is offline  
Old 10th January 2012, 17:54   #14
Senior - BHPian
 
avishar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: kolkata/bangalore,india
Posts: 2,901
Thanked: 4,140 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

Not thats a real french.Nice quirky(hatke!) designs!

I like the 508,and its really quite nice to see a manufacturer launching a car with a diesel engine from the word go.

However rear leg space seems to be on the lower side?Also Peugeot would do well to realise that cars like the 508 has to rear passenger-centric and not the front passenger.A bit of beige and bit of wood would whet the indian back seater's appetite!A bit more goodies at the back will do the trick.
avishar is offline  
Old 10th January 2012, 19:01   #15
BHPian
 
kartikk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 151
Thanked: 47 Times
Re: Peugeot (including 508 sedan) @ Auto Expo 2012

Absolutely loved the curvy designs really smooth, the tail-lamps of 3008 sweet but whats with the front, the Peugeot emblem takes most of space in between the headlamps on all their cars, its really huge
kartikk is offline  
Closed Thread

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks