Peugeot’s 508 keeps the faith in saloons and is a mighty fine car with its sporty exterior and minimalistic interior

DO you know what a cooper is? It’s someone who hand-makes wooden barrels for whisky and other fun stuff boring people are swearing off for January.

It’s a dying art thanks to modern technology, but one still practised by a few skilled individuals who want to preserve the past in the name of tradition.

6

Next question: Do you know what a saloon car is?

It’s a type of five-door car roomy enough to carry a ­family of five and generally drives well thanks to a low centre of gravity and short wheelbase.

They are very much a dying breed, thanks to the popularity of SUVs and crossovers. It’s hard to call which will disappear first — coopers or saloon cars.

But like barrel-making, some manufacturers are still bravely designing and building saloons.

6

German stalwarts such as the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 are safe — thanks to brand aspiration — but when Peugeot recently released the new 508, people winced.

Not because it’s a bad-looking car — far from it — but because it seems like slack business savvy from a firm which is enjoying rosy success with its 3008 and 5008 SUVs. Even Peugeot admits it expects to sell just 4,000 in the UK. Hardly seems worth it, but the Frenchies deserve a round of applause for pushing on regardless.

Not least because it’s a fine car.

The 508’s looks are probably its strongest point. A mate of mine said: “It’s two or three design cues ahead of a Ford Mondeo.” He’s got a point.

6

While most manufacturers ploughed all their attention into building the freshest, funkiest SUV, saloons suddenly looked dated and dad-like.

Terms like “Mondeo man” popularised by chinless wonders like Tony Blair didn’t help.

But the 508 is pretty as a picture, with frameless doors, innovative LEDs and a sweeping, sporty silhouette. The interior continues the theme of sleek minimalism, with the virtual cockpit found in the 3008 keeping things fuss-free. Classy touches like customisable mood lighting lift the 508 from a work-a-day saloon to something which can truly rival the 3 Series.

The driving experience doesn’t inspire such effusive praise. While generally pleasant, the steering is far too light — there’s no conversation with the road, even though the steering wheel is small and sporty.

6

And why anyone would add the paddle shift which came with my test model is beyond me.

But the 1.6 turbo petrol engine I drove is a capable thing, with some noticeable potency in Sport Mode, and I drove it from London to Manchester and back — plus local trips “oop” North with the in-laws over Christmas — on a single tank.

Comfort levels are at a maximum, too. Suspension is spot on for bum-numbing long journeys, which is crucial considering a bulk of these cars will end up in company fleets.

Is the saloon making a comeback? No, not for now.

6

MOST READ IN MOTORS

FLYING CAR

Watch as Chinese supercar jumps 20ft across pothole & spikes with no driver

GOING FAST

Michael Schumacher's FIRST Ferrari to hit auction with key detail chosen by star

THE 3 AMINIGOS

I put Mini's Cooper, Countryman & new Aceman to test - my favourite is clear

WIN WITH TWINGO

Renault's revived Twingo looks ace and is exactly what we need on our roads

Cars such as the Kia Stinger have stirred some hope but it’s wishful thinking.

Sales figures tell the true story — Nissan sells more Qashqais in a month than Ford sells Mondeos in a year.

But if brands keep the faith and continue to offer cars like the 508, things could turn around.

Reader's car of the week

A FIRST-class motor here, sent in by Richard Davies from Brownhills, West Midlands.

Richard says: “This is my Rover 218SLD turbo, with only 68k on the clock.

6

“I used to have one of these bad boys 25 years ago, and have lots of fond memories – I loved her to bits.

“Two years ago I saw this one. She needed some TLC, new sills and tyres.

“So I took the gamble and instead of ­buying new tyres I bought a set of second-hand streetwise alloys and threw them on.

“Every time I look at her she reminds me of all the good times. She might be old and not as fast, but in my eyes she’s a head-turner.”

To see your pride and joy here, send me a picture and brief description to [email protected].