Can Peugeot stage a saloon comeback?

Peugeot has brought out a heavy hitter to face off against the luxury German motors, but can it really hold back the tide of demand for SUVs, asks Matt Robinson

Likeable and talented: the Peugeot 508 GT boasts magnificent styling, with striking features including vertical-line LED daytime running lights at the front
The iCockpit arrangement, with small steering wheel, rivals that of Audi and BMW

Large French saloons have never been strong sellers outside their homeland and the D-segment – occupied by traditional large family cars, like the Ford Mondeo, Opel Insignia and Volkswagen Passat – is a shrinking market that’s being squeezed by customer preference for SUVs.

Thus, Peugeot has decided to reinvent its 508, by making it into something other than a saloon. Although it ...