Just when you think you’ve seen all the motoring world has to throw at you in 2018, along comes a car which is probably the best on the road to date. Well it’s certainly my car of the year.

Welcome the Peugeot 508 the best saloon on the European highways and how wonderful to have a car which celebrates the old and the new in the same breath.

In a world which is dominated by the SUV, the Peugeot 508 has broken away the chains of motoring bullies and put a bit of class back into driving.

I almost wish I was a rep driving around 30,000 miles a year because the car is such a beauty. I couldn’t have enough time for the test drive and look forward to having another go nexrt year when demand slackens.

No, not for me the Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Insigina. I want to be a Peugeot pro and I’d sign on the line to prove it.

The Peugeot 508 is with the dealers right now and prices go from £25,000 to more than £37,000 should you be tempted.

It handles like a dream and of course there are a number of variations for you to get the car of your choice.

You won’t get a special discount deal though through a fleet buy. Peugeot have said: “Hey. This car is good. Want to buy it? Then pay the price we ask.” That seems reasonable.

The engines are 179bhp and 221bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrols, a 129bhp 1.5-litre diesel and 161bhp and 174bhp 2.0 diesels. Only the 1.5 diesel has a six-speed manual with the rest having eight speed autos. And the CO2 emissions are below the 100g/km mark.

The ride is nice and easy and the noise levels are pegged back. This is certainly a good motorway car for stablilty and comfort.

The steering is light and positive and the rear leg room is good and head room pretty reasonable with the boot just short of 500 litres.

The 508 Active and Allure models have 16-inch wheels with 215/60 R16 tyres or 17-inch wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres.

There is the Peugeot i-cockpit staring over a small quarter style steering wheel at a dial and digital dash and then you look like a concert pianist with a series of piano keys in front of you.

Then there is the touch-screen cover navigation and entertainment needs, which are just like the 3008 and 5008 SUV models. Seats are multi-adjustable and giving you a relaxed and comfortable driving posture. Seatbacks fold reasonably flat, and under the floor there’s a standard space saver spare wheel.

Top of the range is the more luxurious GT trim which give you active suspension, Adaptive Cruise Control with stop and go function, lane positioning assist, a kick operated electric tailgate, leather trimmed steering wheel, Nappa leather seats with massage function and a FOCAL® premium HIFI system.

There is also the multiple selectable Drive Modes, from Eco through Comfort, Normal, Sport and Manual.

Peugeot will sell this well in China where they still love the saloons while perhaps not so good in Europe. But I’d have one tomorrow.

The top of range 508 will do around 150mph; has acceleration of 0-60mph under eight seconds and still give you 50 miles to the gallon. Nice figures.