Peugeot will bring a high performance electrified version of the 508 sedan to the 2019 Geneva motor show, although, sadly, like other previous bonkers fast electrified Peugeot concepts, it probably won’t see the production line. And, that’s a pity, because the 508 looks like it goes much faster than it actually does and this injection of extra go is just what it needs.

What Makes The Peugeot 508 Sport Engineering Concept Special?

The motor show study is called the Peugeot 508 Sport Engineering Concept and it relies on the same 200-horsepower, 1.6-liter, turbo four-pot (called PureTech 200) that you can opt for in the 508 for motivation. It drives the front wheels with the additional help of a 110-horsepower electric motor. Its rear wheels are powered by another, stronger, 200-horsepower electric motor and the result are performance numbers not usually associated with Peugeots.

Electricity for the hybrid system is stored in an 11.8-kWh battery pack that bestows this 508 concept with a maximum zero-emissions range of 50 km or 31 miles on a single charge. Peugeot also claims that it only emits 49 g/km CO2 according to the new and more stringent WLTP testing guidelines.

Peugeot does offer a similar powertrain to this in its 3008, although in the 3008 Hybrid4’s case, there is no additional electric motor driving the front wheels - there’s only one to drive the rear wheels. It has a total power output of 296 horsepower, and it sprints to 100 km/h or 62 mph in 6.5 seconds. Interestingly, in the new 508 (the brand’s flagship offering no less), Peugeot only offers a lower-powered hybrid drivetrain that includes a detuned version of the 1.6-liter with just 178 horsepower and an electric motor for a total output of 222 horsepower.

Moreover, the cheaper, less exclusive 3008 also comes with a bigger capacity 13.2-kWh battery pack. The production 508 hybrid is also only front-wheel drive - no power goes to the rear wheels whatsoever, so on paper, it’s a tier down from the 3008 hybrid. But, all this may only mean Peugeot left room at the top of the 508 range for a proper electrified performance model previewed by this concept headed for Geneva.

Peugeot has also given the already sporty looking 508 an even sportier demeanor with this concept.There's also a diffuser in the back a set of special 20-inch rims. There are even small winglets on the car’s C-pillar and plenty of green (or Kryptonite, as Peugeot likes to call it) accents all around the vehicle.

The transformation continues inside where the car now features plenty of Alcantara, carbon fiber inserts as well as accents in the same green used outside - the Kryptonite stitching really pops and has a surprisingly dramatic visual effect. Peugeot also fitted the car with new “comfort fit” seats, although it does not go into detail as to what makes them special.

Now regarding this high-performance, electrified 508’s chances of reaching production, it’s worth noting that the Peugeot press blurb says this “will be the next in a long line of high-performance models from Peugeot Sport,” calling it “an evolution” of the recently revealed hybrid version of the 508.

However, David Peel, Managing Director of Peugeot UK, said: “The work of everyone at Peugeot involved in developing our electric dream is starting to move faster than we ever thought possible. The 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered concept shows what is possible and gives us a taste of things to come over the next five years as we continue the path towards the electrification of our entire line-up.” It’s therefore not very clear if it will reach production, but I think I’m right in saying that we’d certainly love to see it happen - a car that looks this good, is this fast, and this green at the same time? Yes, please...

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Peugeot 508.

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Peugeot 508 GT.