Peugeot has revealed its new 408 which boasts an elegant fastback design, an edgy tech-laden interior and the choice of ICE and PHEV powertrains and with an all-electric 408 coming later.

Peugeot products really do stand out from the crowd. Just look at the 208, 2008, 3008, and 5008. They are far from mundane and they have style that their rivals just can’t match.

The latest new addition to Peugeot’s range is the new 408 which has just been revealed for Europe, and yes, it looks stunning! It’s a new shape for the French firm and can best be described as a sedan-SUV with a fastback-coupe-like silhouette. It’s a thing of beauty.

The color-coded grille design gives the impression that the 408 is all-electric, but in 2023 it will initially be offered with both ICE and PHEV powertrains (see below) while an electric 408 will follow later. The sleek fastback silhouette stretches a total of 4 690 mm in length with a wheelbase of 2 790 mm which has resulted in a spacious cabin for passengers with Peugeot claiming 188 mm of legroom for rear passengers while the load bay offers a generous 536 litres, expanding to a whopping 1 611-litres with the rear seats folded down.

The new 408 features an edgy, futuristic design execution and is well-equipped with technology.

The stylish exterior is matched with an equally modern and edgy interior design with Peugeot’s latest generation i-Cockpit comprising a compact steering wheel and two 10-inch screens that make up the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system.

The 408 is also equipped with 6 cameras and 9 radars that feed into a suite of 30 driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, night vision with pedestrian / cyclist / animal warning, long-range (75 m) blind spot warning, active lane departure warning with lane correction, 180-degree rear reverse camera, 360-degree parking assistance, road sign recognition, driver attention alert and rear traffic alert, to name but a few.

What powertrains will be offered with the Peugeot 408?

The 408 will be offered with ICE, PHEV and BEV powertrains.

The new 408 will employ the familiar 1.2-litre turbopetrol engine, the same that powers the 2008, with 96 kW and 230 Nm of torque on offer.

Peugeot will also offer a pair of plug-in hybrid derivatives, combining a 81 kW electric motor and either a 110 kW or 132 kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine. Total power outputs for the base 408 comes to 133 kW and 360 Nm while the more powerful 408 offers 165 kW and the same torque figure of 360 Nm. An 8-speed automatic transmission directs power to the front wheels for all 408 derivatives. A battery-electric 408 will come to market later in 2023.

Both plug-in hybrid derivatives are fitted with a 12.4 kWh Lithium-ion battery (102 kW output) as well as a standard 3.7 kW single phase charger while an 7.4 kW single phase charger will be optional.

Peugeot says that charging time using a 7.4 kW Wall Box and the 7.4kw on-board charger will take just 1 hour 55 minutes while the 3.7 kW on-board charger will take 3 hours and 50 minutes. A domestic 3-pin socket with an accessory charging cable and using the 3.7 kW on-board charger will return a full charge in approximately 7.5 hours.

The Peugeot 408 will go on sale in Europe in early 2023 and will also be sold in global markets. We have reached out to Peugeot South Africa to find out if the 408 will come to South Africa but it has yet to be confirmed for local introduction. As always, we will keep you updated!

Buy a Peugeot on Cars.co.za

Related Content

Peugeot will be EV-only by 2030

Peugeot Landtrek (2022) Review