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2023 Peugeot 408, Since 2010, Peugeot has referred to the saloon version of the 308 hatchback as the “408” in China. Although it is not the car seen in the images below, it had a thorough update this year in the People’s Republic. It is quite puzzling that the nameplate is presently being recycled in Europe for a different model. The 408 intended for the Old Continent has an odd design resembling the Citroen C5 X and is formally categorized as a fastback.
Although Peugeot claims it is a more sophisticated car positioned “at the top of the C-segment,” it is built on the most recent Stellantis EMP2 platform, which is also used for the global 308 hatchback and estate. Regardless of your opinion of the design, we must applaud the French company for having the guts to innovate outside the box. The new 408 is a hacked-up house with a strange body that has more lines and curves than we can count, a swooping roofline, and.
At 4,687 millimeters, the new model with the lion symbol is a bit longer than the preceding 308 SW (184.5 inches). It has a spacious 2,787 mm wheelbase and is 1,859 mm (73.2 in) width by 1,478 mm (58.2 in) height (109.7 in). These measurements are almost exact replicas of the 308 estate. These intricate 20-inch wheels, which are offered on higher specification levels, may be as enormous as the wheels themselves.
The boot of the version powered solely by a combustion engine can accommodate up to 1,611 liters (56.9 cubic feet) after folding the rear seats, or 536 liters (almost 19 cubic feet) with the back seats in place. You’ll have to sacrifice some luggage space for more flair because the 308 can’t match with it due to its more practical design.
There isn’t much to say about the avant-garde interior as it is largely a carryover from the 308s. Given that the cabin looks to have been taken from a concept or high-end car, it isn’t always a bad thing. Peugeot’s recognizable compact steering wheel is there, along with two 10-inch screens. A high-end Focal sound system with 10 speakers (including a subwoofer) was created especially for the 408 over the course of three years.
With the new 408, Peugeot will initially provide two plug-in hybrid engine choices. Both have a 109-bhp electric motor, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and are front-wheel drive (81 kilowatts). They may be distinguished by their 1.6-liter petrol turbocharged engine, which comes in two tuning levels with 148 and 178 horsepower. When the combustion engine and electric motor are combined, the smaller PHEV generates 178 horsepower (133 kW) and 360 Newton-metres (265 pound-feet) of torque. The more potent variant keeps the same torque while boosting the horsepower to 221 bhp (165 kW).
There is also a base variant with a 1.2-liter, three-cylinder petrol engine that makes 128 bhp (96 kW) and 230 Nm (169 lb-ft) of torque. A eight-speed automatic gearbox is used to send power to the front wheels as well. Peugeot won’t be selling a diesel, but an all-electric model is under development.
When production starts in France at the Mulhouse facility in early 2023, the car is anticipated to hit the market. Peugeot intends to sell the vehicle in China as well, with production taking place in Chengdu. A few months after the ICE and PHEV versions, the EV model will be released.
Given Peugeot’s current 308 SW and 3008 models, only sales figures will be able to tell whether new model is necessary.
Below are some pictures of the most recent Peugeot 408 Saloon in CN specification in case you’re interested.
