Hailed as the new Peugeot flagship sedan, the 508 promises lots of good driving time.

We found ourselves in the middle of a simulated busy train station, not catching a train but staring at the huge display with Peugeot's facts of travel life. And this further embroidered the strength of spending quality time in a car, which the new 508 is poised to deliver.

Modern vehicles seem to have discarded the old notion of flamboyancy. With smooth lines and a noticeably smaller mouth in the front, this new car certainly looks the part, without abandoning the dynamic styling that has graced previous Peugeots.

Inside, the interior features a colour Head-up Display, four-zone air conditioning, premium audio with Bluetooth and USB port, hands-free and keyless start-up and an automatic electric parking brake. It's a simple yet elegant build that feels great to touch, with the whole interior filled up with a sense of great build quality. The boot of the saloon has a volume of 545 litres and 660 litres for the station wagon variant. With the 60/40 split folding back seats, this volume increases to 1,581 litres for the saloon and 1,865 litres for the station wagon.

The 156 hp 1.6 litre THP engine in the 508 has a maximum torque of 240 Nm that is available from 1,600 rpm to 4,000 rpm, thanks to the Twin-Scroll turbocharger. The high-pressure direct petrol injection system improves combustion and overall engine efficiency with up to 14.1 km/l on the combined cycle. The engine is engaged to a Porsche-designed six-speed Tiptronic gearbox with paddle shifters for instant manual override. It offers near-instantaneous changes through all six gears.

The new 508 comes with latest-generation ESP which includes Cornering Stability Control (CSC), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). The ESP also includes Hill Assist which holds the vehicle on slopes for two seconds before moving off. There is no shortage on passenger safety too, with six airbags, two ISOFIX points with three-point attachments at the rear and head restraints designed to reduce whiplash injury.

"The 508 combines strong design with emotion, which is based on the marque's longstanding expertise. Its streamlined, prestigious and bold appearance, interior comfort and unique driveability set it apart from the rest," said Mr Yeow Ing Hua, Managing Director, AutoFrance Singapore.