PEUGEOT BELIEVES IN DOING things differently from other manufacturers, and the new Peugeot 408 continues the trend.
It is the first of its kind, both in the history of the brand itself and in the car market as a whole. With the new 408, Peugeot brings a new fastback silhouette to the C segment. This new age Peugeot offers a feline stance and unique allure, engineering excellence focused on efficiency and intelligent electrification, as well as the emotions provided by cutting-edge technologies dedicated to driving pleasure and instinctive use.
The Peugeot 408 stands out first and foremost for its dynamic fastback silhouette and its unmistakable style, but also for the extent to which it breaks the mould. Its feline stance, so they breathlessly inform us, is typical of the brand’s models. Its lines are sharp, the grille is the same colour as the bodywork to blend in perfectly with the front end, and it proudly boasts the new Peugeot emblem with the head of a lion. The inverted cut-out of the rear bumper is unexpected, while giving the profile a strong look. The new Peugeot 408 sits solidly on 720mm diameter wheels and the iconic 20-inch rims feature a geometric design. At the front, the fang-shaped light signature integrates the 408 into the Peugeot family, as do the three-claw LED lights at the rear.
With a length of 4690mm, based on a long wheelbase of 2790mm, the new Peugeot 408 has a remarkably spacious second row, with 188mm of legroom. The boot is also generously sized, with a volume of 536 litres, which can be increased to 1611 litres once the rear seats are folded down. The new Peugeot 408 is 1480mm high with a slim and sleek silhouette to improve aerodynamic efficiency.
For both driver and passengers, the Peugeot 408 offers the latest generation of the Peugeot i-Cockpit, with its instantly recognisable (although not necessarily loved by all) compact steering wheel dedicated to driving pleasure and controlled agility.
In the cockpit, the emphasis is on quality and connectivity, with the very latest technologies to make the driving and travelling experience more intuitive and rewarding.
Powered by six cameras and nine radars, the driver assistance systems provide peace of mind and safety. They include:
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go function
- Night Vision, which warns of animals, pedestrians or cyclists ahead before they appear in the high beam
- Long-range blind spot monitoring (75 metres)
- Rear Traffic Alert, which warns of a potential hazard when reversing
The range of engines powering the Peugeot 408 includes two rechargeable hybrid versions with 134kW and 168kW, and a 97kW 1.2-litre PureTech 3-cylinder petrol version. All three are paired with an 8-speed EAT8 automatic gearbox. An all-electric version will follow a few months later.
Efficiency was a key concern for the designers of the Peugeot 408, since the combination of efforts in terms of aerodynamics, weight reduction (from 1396kg) and low-emission engines means that the vehicle can now boast remarkably low average energy consumptions (under homologation), both for the hybrids as well as for the 130bhp petrol version.
The new Peugeot 408 will arrive on international markets at the very beginning of 2023. It will be produced at first in Mulhouse, France, for the European market and then, soon afterwards, in the Chengdu factory in China.
“At Peugeot, we believe that life is better with allure. With its unique look, innovative fastback silhouette and unbridled elegance, the new 408 is the perfect expression of the Peugeot brand’s philosophy and inventiveness,” says Linda Jackson, CEO of the Peugeot brand. “Unexpected from every angle, the new Peugeot 408 has been designed for lovers of cars and of life, who want to break free from the traditional while seeking responsible pleasure. It embodies Peugeot’s exacting technological standards – controlled efficiency and a very high-level digital experience – as well as the intense emotions of instinctive driving pleasure”
Commenting on the global unveil of the Peugeot 408, Kate Gillis, Managing Director Peugeot Australia, said, “It is with great excitement I can confirm that the new Peugeot 408 will launch in Australia. We are currently working closely with the factory on launch timings for our market and look forward to sharing more information in due course.”