The new Peugeot 408

Production of the Peugeot 2011 ended in 407, and with it the tradition of the four-models that began in 1934. Now the French are returning with force. The Peugeot 408 is a coupe-like sedan with SUV elements.

The odd TV inspector Colombo alias Peter Falk went on a crook hunt in 1978 with a Peugeot 403 convertible. 20 years later, a Peugeot 406 raced through Marseille as a tuned taxi in the action comedy of the same name. Just two examples of how popular and successful the Peugeot models with the "four" before the "zero" once were. But then, twelve years ago, it came to an abrupt end. With the "407" the production of the last "four" ran out. The SUV boom but also design sins made the sedan and especially the spacious station wagon a slow seller. But from 2023, counting will continue, Peugeot has arrived at number 408.

The new Peugeot 408
At the rear, the wild rippling of the diffuser under the bumper is noticeable, while the roof spoiler above the rear window is rather reserved.

But Peugeot boss Linda Jackson does not have the earlier customers in mind: "The new 408 was designed for car lovers who break away from the traditional and responsible driving pleasure search.” With the reborn 408, which is still based on the nine-year-old EMP2 platform. should be about controlled efficiency and a high-level digital experience. Peugeot classifies it in the compact class, even if it is a league higher with its length of 4,70 meters and is intended to attract several groups of customers. SUV fans get their money's worth thanks to the raised seating position. If you want to be more sporty on the road, you should appreciate the coupé-style sloping roof. And practitioners are spoiled with a cargo space of up to 1.611 liters. Such automotive mixtures are called “crossovers”. The Peugeot 408 is one that doesn't really define itself as what it should be.

The appearance is always self-confident. Like the side skirts, which become flatter towards the rear and connect with the edges of the wheel arches. The almost 2,80 meter long wheelbase reveals how much space is reserved for the passengers. At the rear, the wild rippling of the diffuser under the bumper is noticeable, while the roof spoiler above the rear window is rather reserved. The front end is characterized by narrow double headlights in matrix LED technology, the brand-typical daytime running lights in the Saber-toothed tiger look and a grille whose individual panels painted in the vehicle color simulate a fan-shaped fountain. The center is crowned by the new brand coat of arms with the lion's head.

The modernity continues in the interior, mixing the digital with the analogue. There are classic buttons and switches on the steering wheel and under the 10-inch monitor responsible for infotainment and navigation. The mobile phone can also be mirrored onto it. Then the screen works like a classic tablet. A lever for the Eight-speed automatic there is not any. This task is performed by a rocker switch on the center console.

The new Peugeot 408
The modernity continues in the interior, mixing the digital with the analogue

With 30 assistance systems, the newcomer offers a variety of electronic helpers that have a digital view of the surroundings thanks to six cameras and nine radar devices. Examples are distance radar with stop-and-go function, automatic emergency braking with collision warning even when reversing, active lane assistant or 180-degree rear camera. There is also a night vision device that looks up to 250 meters ahead in the dark in order to move people or animals into the infrared field of vision. It is not yet known which of the numerous systems are only available for an extra charge.

When driving the Peugeot 408, the diesel, once a strength of Peugeot, has finally had its day. To the Market launch early next year future buyers have three options, the smallest of which will probably only rarely be ticked on the price list. Even if their performance data have not yet been revealed, the petrol engine with a 1,2-liter three-cylinder and 96 kW/130 hp is unlikely to be able to keep up with its more powerful sister models. They rely on the help of an electric motor with 81 kW/110 hp. It works with a turbo petrol engine with a 1,6-liter four-cylinder that sends 132 kW/180 hp or 110 kW/150 hp to the front wheels. The 12,4 kWh battery should ensure an electric range of at least 60 kilometers. The two plug-in hybrid systems, which are already known from the smaller 308, can be charged the fastest at the home wall box with 7,4 kW, which takes almost two hours. The 408 cannot dock at a fast charging station.

Unlike the top model of the crossover. The all-electric 408 will appear later. It is still unknown whether it will feature the same battery in the underbody as the previous lion brand e-cars, each with 50 kWh batteries are on the road and have a range of around 370 kilometers. Whether that will be enough for the new "four" remains to be seen.

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