Peugeot is said to be in the works of developing an electric mid-size saloon to succeed the Peugeot 508, aiming to compete directly with the Tesla Model 3. According to a report from French media, the new electric vehicle (EV) will draw design inspiration from the Inception design study unveiled at the beginning of 2023.
The EV, likely to be named the Peugeot e-508, is reportedly scheduled to launch in 2028. Unlike the Inception design study, the electric saloon will not utilize the large Stellantis STLA Large platform, but instead, it will be based on the STLA Medium platform, already in use for Peugeot’s e-3008 and e-5008 SUV models.
Parent company Stellantis is determined to challenge Tesla’s dominance in the saloon segment, leveraging the synergies of its various brands. With the discontinuation of the current 508, Peugeot is poised to conclude a long legacy of combustion engine saloons, shifting its focus entirely towards electrically powered saloons in the future.
While Stellantis brands Alfa Romeo and Maserati are targeting the Tesla Model S, Peugeot is aiming for a direct rivalry with the Model 3. The e-508 is expected to feature the STLA Medium platform, enabling a battery capacity of 87 to 104 kWh and a range of 400 to 700 kilometers according to WLTP standards. The saloon will measure an impressive 4.80 meters in length. However, the STLA Medium platform, like the Tesla Model 3, is designed for 400 volts, and the Peugeot e-508 may not match the charging speeds of 800-volt models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6, even by 2028.
Peugeot’s electric saloon is also expected to excel in terms of design. The 2023 Inception study pays homage to the brand’s historic saloons, particularly from the 70s and 80s, featuring design elements reminiscent of the iconic 504 and 505 models.
Linda Jackson, global CEO of Peugeot, expressed the brand’s ambitious vision at CES last year, stating, “Our ambition is simple: to make Peugeot the leading electric brand in Europe by 2030. This objective and ambitious vision pave the way for a radical transformation for the brand. It is embodied today by the Peugeot Inception Concept, which marks the beginning of a new era.”
