Peugeot’s victory in the 1953 Redex Trial put the French brand on the map in this country. Today, its SUV line-up are its best sellers, the new 2008 and the 3008 slowly gaining popularity in a crowded SUV market. However, I’ve just driven the flagship 508GT Fastback sedan, a four-door of coupe proportions that is simply drop dead gorgeous – French haute couture on a car that draws eyes wherever you drive it. The interior equally impressive putting much dearer luxury sedans to shame. Unlike the previous non-descript and underdone Peugeot 508 this latest model comes in just one high grade the GT Fastback at $57,490. And that money includes a lot of driver safety and comfort features that other imports treat as options.

A prestige model with enormous individuality, just 55 leaving showrooms this year. Drive it and you’ll be impressed – a 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder driving the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic with manual paddles. Three high fives – five-star safety, five-year warranty and five-year capped price servicing. The French do premium very well and this car has real panache, the interior excelling in finishes and substance. A low roof line makes access a little harder and rear seat headroom a little restrictive while the functionality of the infotainment screen can also be unnecessarily tedious for simple and basic functions.

I’m David Berthon

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