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2023 Peugeot 508: Here’s What We Know And What To Expect From The Mid-Life Facelift

This illustration was made by Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for CarScoops. It is a speculative render that is neither related to nor endorsed by Peugeot.

The second-generation 508 is the flagship of Peugeot’s range, and one of the few remaining contestants in the midsize sedan segment. While it doesn’t show, the model debuted almost four years ago at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show which means that Peugeot could be working on a mid-life facelift.

The Peugeot 508 is considered one of the most stylish models in the D-Segment, adopting a low-slung five-door fastback coupé-saloon bodystyle. It is also the first production model to introduce the signature tusk-shaped LEDs on the front bumper that were later applied to the whole range. The facelift will likely build upon the successful recipe while adopting fresh design elements from newer models to freshen up its style.

Our artist’s rendition for a 2023 Peugeot 508 facelift above with the current-year model pictured below

As you can see from the speculative rendering created by Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for Carscoops, the 508 could inherit the Peugeot’s latest crest emblem that is currently used only by the new-generation 308, alongside a redesigned grille just like in the facelifted Peugeot 3008 and 5008 SUVs from last year. The black accents and the 3D-style graphics make the grille appear larger despite being mostly covered for better aerodynamics.

Like the aforementioned SUVs, the 508 will likely get a redesigned bumper with additional faux intakes in the sides, further emphasizing the presence of vertical LEDs. The headlights could also get slightly redesigned LED graphics, merging nicely with the grille. Besides the new face, the 508 will likely remain largely the same, possibly with new options for exterior colors and wheel designs. The rear end could also get a few tweaks on the claw-inspired LED taillight graphics and the rear bumper garnish.

Since the current model is also available in estate form, chances are that the facelift will be adopted by the 508 SW. After all, Peugeot showed its dedication to low-slung family haulers with the premiere of the new-generation 308 SW earlier this year.

Despite being four years old, the interior of the Peugeot 508 still looks like it comes from the future, thanks to the high-mounted center console, the aluminum-style buttons, the inclined infotainment touchscreen up to 10-inches in diameter, and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. However, there are a few updates that could make the dashboard even more attractive, including the addition of the 3D instruments from Peugeot’s latest i-Cockpit, alongside new trim options and more ADAS features as standard.

Like in most mid-cycle updates, the EMP2-based Peugeot 508 is expected to get slightly cleaner versions of the same engines. The French company has announced plans of electrifying its whole range by 2025, before going EV-only in Europe by 2030. This means that the updated 508 will be one of the last ICE-powered models by Peugeot.

Since electrification becomes more and more popular, the plug-in hybrid variants are expected to be the core of the range. Those are the Hybrid 225 e-EAT8 with a combined output of 222 hp (165 kW / 225 PS) and front-wheel-drive, and the 508 PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) performance flagship producing a combined 360 PS (355 HP / 265 kW) with all-wheel-drive.

Read: New Peugeot 508 PSE PHEV Launched In Germany, Costs More Than BMW’s M340i xDrive

The current generation Peugeot 508 in PSE PHEV form

The 508 was introduced with the 1.6-liter Puretech gasoline and the 2.0-liter BlueHDi diesel engines although later on, it became available with the smaller 1.2-liter PureTech and 1.5-liter BlueHDi producing 128 hp (96 kW / 130 PS). It is not clear if Peugeot will opt for a simplified ICE range giving more emphasis on electrification and lowering its fleet average emissions in Europe.

Besides the European market, the 508 is also available in the Middle East, and in China as the long-wheelbase 508L. Judging from the previous facelifts by Peugeot, the updated 508 could appear as early as next year prior to a 2023 market launch since the French automaker has already announced minor updates for the 2022 model year.

Illustrations Copyright Carscoops.com / *Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien*

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2022 Renault Kadjar II: Everything We Know About The Nissan Rogue Sport’s French Cousin

This article includes illustrations made by Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for CarScoops based on prototype models we’ve spied and information we’ve obtained. They are not related to or endorsed by Renault.

We’ve updated this story with improved illustrations that take into consideration the design cues we saw on the new electric Megane E-Tech this month, while also adding new renders of the rear end as well as all the latest details. [Updated 9/30/2021]

Recent Renault-related news has focused almost exclusively on electric cars like the retro-styled 5 supermini, the Megane E-Tech Electric crossover, and sister brand Alpine’s plans to expand its model range while ditching ICE powertrains starting in 2024.

But Renault isn’t about to abandon ICE technology, or its traditional ICE-powered models just yet. As SUVs and crossovers continue to dominate the sales charts, the all-new Kadjar due in mid-2022 will play a key role in Renault’s near-term future. Reports from France suggest the Kadjar will expand from one model to a family, eventually including seven-seat and coupe SUV variants.

That would make it a replacement for both the current Kadjar and the larger Koleos, which is still available in France, but was dropped from the UK market in 2020 due to low sales.

The 2022 Renault Kadjar is paired with the Nissan Qashqai/Rogue Sport (illustration credits Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for CarScoops)

Double-Team

Originally launched in 2016 and sharing major components with sister company Nissan’s Rogue Sport (sold as the Qashqai in Europe), the Kadjar will again be paired with the Nissan for its second generation. But this time it’s based on the latest CMF-C/D platform found under the third iteration of the Rogue/Qashqai released earlier this year.

That means the Kadjar could be sold in Renault showrooms alongside a pure electric SUV based on the Megane E-Tech Electric’s CMF-EV platform that Auto Express claims Renault will reveal at the 2022 Paris Motor Show and have in showrooms early in 2023.

The Kadjar, which will arrive earlier in 2022, and may get a new name, might be leaving the role of EV to its sister car, but it won’t escape electrification altogether. Renault will offer mild hybrid engines as standard, and the option of full hybrid engines, as we’ll cover later in this story.

And as our latest artist’s renderings reveal, the Kadjar will adopt styling details from the Megane E-Tech Electric, including the twin arrow-shape motif in the lower bumper, plus the company’s latest slim headlights and swan-neck daytime running lights.

Ready to find out more about the 2022 Renault Kadjar? Keep reading.

Bigger, Bolder, Better

Also Read: Everything We Know About Alfa Romeo’s Stylish 2022 Baby SUV

The latest Qashqai grew 1.4 inches (35 mm) in length, 1.3 inches (32 mm) in width, and 1 inch (25 mm) in height. The wheelbase also climbed by 0.8 inches (20 mm). However, if you’re expecting a simple rebadge of a Rogue Sport, Renault would have us believe this won’t be the case. Nissan and Renault have both shared their desire to maintain their brands’ unique identities.

Drivetrains

We initially expected the Kadjar to launch with the same engines as the Qashqai at launch. This could mean offerings such as a 1.3-liter mild-hybrid, with 138 and 156 HP, and a 1.5-liter e-Power hybrid with 188 HP.

However, according to a report by the French website Largus, the 2022 Kadjar may set its own path in the powertrain department. As such, it could feature at least two electrified petrol units in the line-up, one being a conventional hybrid as well as a more powerful plug-in Hybrid PHEV model.

The self-charging hybrid will incorporate a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine to be known as an E-Tech Hybrid. It is expected to produce a combined output of around 200 bhp. Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid model will feature close to 280 hp from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder. This may be achieved via two electric motors, which would give the 2022 Kadjar an all-wheel-drive option.

The plug-in hybrid drivetrain was initially thought to be shared with Mitsubishi’s Outlander. However, the report states that Outlander’s powertrain would not meet Euro 7 requirements — which makes sense as, at one point, it seemed that Mitsubishi was exiting Europe.

While the sister brand of Renault now looks to stay, the Japanese company will be offering rebadged Renaults. Whether one of these is the Kadjar remains to be seen.

Death Of Diesel And the Rise Of The EV?

It remains to be seen if a diesel model will be offered on the Kadjar. However, early reports indicate that Renault may be pulling the plug on the fuel soon, which is why Renault is working on a companion electric SUV to fill the gap.

Nissan is ready to share more EV components with Renault, and the French manufacturer plans to offer ten EVs in total by 2025 as part of its “Renaulution” plan that maps the automaker’s future strategy.

See: Previewing Next Year’s Electric Hatchback Is The New Renault Megane eVision Concept

Styling

The 2022 Renault Kadjar is apparently set to take a more upmarket approach. It follows in the footsteps of many manufacturers making a push for higher-priced vehicles in a changing market.

Our rendering shows what we expect the Kadjar to look like. It features slimmer headlights, a more dynamic grille, and a waistline reminiscent of that found on the Qashqai. In addition, there are hints in the shape of the lights and lower grille of the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric launched earlier this year, while the interior is expected to follow suit.

See: The Cold Is Where We Spotted The 2022 Renault Kadjar Hiding Most Of Its Secrets

The first generation Renault Kadjar has been in production since 2015. Read our review here

One rumor that has been doing the rounds is that the Kadjar may sprout two additional spin-off models. These would essentially be a seven-seater version, as well as a coupe-SUV body style.

Release & Pricing

With early production prototypes still being spied on the roads, we expect a reveal in 2022 at the earliest, with an on-sale date likely in Q2. Pricing is yet to be announced, but expect it to be priced slightly higher than the outgoing model.

PHOTO GALLERY

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2022 Subaru WRX: What We Know About The Rally-Inspired Compact, From Looks To Powertrains

In a burgeoning age of electric vehicles, it’s comforting to know some of us out there still like it old-school. We’re talking about enthusiasm for rally-bred weapons like Subaru’s turbocharged WRX, the Mitsubishi Evolution series and Ford’s Focus RS. Sadly, neither the Mitsubishi nor Ford are still in production, and the Subaru is well into its twilight years.

However, there’s hope on the horizon for WRX fans; an all-new model is well under development, and the word is that it aims to retain its rally-bred heritage. But will it be as hardcore as it used to be? Let’s peel off the spy-shot camouflage to reveal what’s cooking for 2022.

Staunch Appearances

Inspired by the 2017 VIZIV Performance concept, the redesigned WRX brings a sleek, yet staunch demeanor whilst sharing the same front doors, hood scoop and headlights as the new Levorg wagon. Frontal styling is aggressively dynamic, featuring “hawk eye” LED headlamps, a bold trapezoidal grille and angled wheel arches.

Also See: Everything We Know About The 2022 Subaru BRZ Coupe

Illustrations Copyright Carscoops.com / Josh Byrnes

Subaru’s “Dynamic X Solid” design ethos is evident throughout the sculptured sheet metal surfacing, especially around the doors and rear haunches. The view from the back is much more muscular than any WRX before. It will sport quad exhausts, a large diffuser panel, triangular corner vents and C-clamp taillights connected by an illuminated strip across the trunk.

A Nicer Place To Be

Like other Subaru models launched recently, the next WRX sits on the company’s Subaru Global Platform which brings improved handling, safety and interior packaging benefits. The current car’s rather drab cabin also makes way for a much swankier layout, with design DNA and content plucked from the new Levorg wagon.

The Subaru WRX’s interior will strongly resemble that of the new Levorg pictured above

A massive 11.6-inch portrait-orientated touchscreen interface with very few physical knobs and buttons will greet occupants, as will a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and sports-themed Alcantara & leather trim.

Subaru’s new EyeSight X driver assist system will be available too. It uses 360-degree sensing via radars and cameras with highly-defined map data allowing for Level 2 semi-autonomous driving. As part of this package, it includes intersection assist in detecting frontal cross-traffic, emergency steering assist in helping maneuver around impending collisions and GPS-linked adaptive cruise control.

Subaru officials had said the next WRX will resemble the Viziv Performance Concept presented back in 2017, though we all know how that has played out in the past.

Boxing Harder

Water cooler conjecture suggests both the 2.0-litre FA20F and 2.5-litre EJ turbocharged units are to be replaced by one engine: a turbocharged 2.4-litre FA24F boxer-four. Used in the three-row Ascent SUV, Legacy and Outback, it produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Revisions to this engine will yield 300 horsepower in WRX trim, while the STI will get a healthy bump to almost 400 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque.

Bucking current automotive trends, we anticipate Subaru to again offer a six-speed manual transmission in conjunction with the Japanese marque’s well-regarded symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. Unfortunately, no luck for fans wanting a snappy dual-clutch or torque-converter automatic, as Subaru will again be offering their Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

What isn’t on the cards (and we’d love to be proven wrong) is any form of hybridization, whether it be a 48-volt mild hybrid, full hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Without it, getting the WRX into markets such as Europe will be difficult due to ever-tightening CO2 emission rules and severe penalties for missed emissions targets.

Rivals & Reveal

Once upon a time, Mitsubishi’s Evo X was the one to beat, as was Ford’s more recently-axed Focus RS. So what offerings will the next WRX compete against now? Arguably and at least for the WRX, that answer lays in the form of Hyundai’s i30N, the Honda Civic Type-R and premium rivals like Volkswagen’s Golf R & GTI, Audi S3, Mercedes-AMG A 35 and BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe.

We anticipate an official reveal before Christmas, or early 2021 as an MY2022 offering. Expect pricing to start around $30,000 for the base WRX.

So, what do you think of the WRX’s new look? Share your views in the comments below.

Note: The predictive illustration was made by CarScoops’ artist Josh Byrnes and is in no way related to or endorsed by Subaru