Hanbul Motors Corp., the local importer and distributor of French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen, introduced the new Peugeot 508 in South Korea on Wednesday, also marking the vehicle's Asia debut.

   The passenger sedan comes in two trims -- the chaste Allure version with a 2.0-liter engine and the sportier GT version with a 2.2-liter HDi engine.

   The Peugeot 508 Allure has a maximum horsepower of 163 and a maximum torque of 34.6 kilogram-meters while achieving a high fuel economy of 18 kilometers per liter.

   The GT model is packed with a maximum horsepower of 204 and a maximum torque of 45.5 kilogram-meters, enabling the performance of a car with a 5.0-liter engine, Hanbul Motors said.

   "As the first strategic model introduced under PSA Group's vision for globalization, the 508 was designed for the Asian market from the very planning stage of its production," the company said in a press release. "Therefore, it comes with a design, latest technology and high-quality materials that will meet the high expectations of Asian customers."

   Along with its latest sedan, the French automaker also introduced a crossover version of the new vehicle, the Peugeot 508 SW, also for the first time in Asia.

   Based on the platform of the 508 Allure, the crossover utility vehicle comes with Peugeot's iconic panoramic glass roof.

   The vehicles were also made more affordable as the company decided to lower their prices in anticipation of the Korea-EU free trade agreement, set to be implemented from July 1.

   The local price of the Peugeot 508 Allure has been set at 47.3 million won (US$43,300), while the GT model will sell for 56.1 million won and the 508 SW for 48.5 million won, all inclusive of value-added tax.