Peugeot 508 RXH will come to Australia, hints French executive
It may have been a slip of the tongue or perhaps it was intentional, but a comment from a senior Peugeot executive was enough to spark speculation that the Peugeot 508 RXH will reach Australian shores.
In an interview at the 2014 Paris motor show, Peugeot 508 brand manager Michel Gombaud revealed there has been interest in the off-road-styled RXH wagon, and production is available for the Australian market.
“Peugeot will commercialise a BlueHDi with a six-speed automatic, and front-wheel drive only," Gombaud said. "Production will start in November and is available for the Australian market.”
However, when asked to clarify if the RXH will be seen in Aussie showrooms, the French brand's local contingent was unable to provide a definitive answer.
David Descottes, area manager Oceania for Peugeot Automobiles' international operations department said he was “quite confident” the wagon would be sold here.
National marketing manager for Peugeot Automobiles Australia, Dimitri Andreatidis, said the possibility was "under study".
The 508 RXH is available with two engines internationally. The aforementioned entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel with 133kW and 400Nm with claimed fuel use of 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres; while the diesel-electric Hybrid4 model uses a 2.0-litre diesel with 120kW/300Nm teamed to a 27kW/200Nm electric motor, and uses just 4.1L/100km. Peugeot has confirmed the hybrid version has been ruled out for Australia.
The facelifted 508 and 508 SW will launch locally in the first quarter of 2015.
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