The new Peugeot 408 is the first of its kind – a new fastback silhouette at the top of the C segment. This new age Peugeot combines a unique design and feline stance with engineering excellence focused on efficiency and intelligent electrification, with cutting-edge technologies dedicated to creating an instinctive driving experience. At the front, a distinctive fang-shaped light signature brings the 408 into line with the rest of the Peugeot family, as do the three-claw LED lights at the rear. An inverted cut-out in the rear bumper also gives the profile a distinctive look. The mould-breaking Peugeot 408 stands out first and foremost for its dynamic fastback silhouette and unmistakable style. The feline stance is typical of the latest Peugeot models, with its sharp lines and colour-coded grille, the latter of which blends in perfectly with the front end and showcases the new Peugeot emblem. With a height of 1.48m, a length of 4.69m and a long wheelbase of 2.79m, the new Peugeot 408 provides spacious second-row seats with 188mm of knee room. The boot is also generously sized, with a maximum volume of 536 litres, which can be increased to 1,611 litres with the rear seats folded down. For its driver and passengers, the new 408 offers the latest generation Peugeot i-Cockpit®, recognisable by its compact steering wheel, which is dedicated to driving pleasure and controlled agility. Emphasis is placed on the quality of the interior space and connectivity, with the latest technologies making the driving and travelling experience more intuitive and rewarding.
The new Peugeot 408 will hit showrooms at the beginning of 2023 and will be sold in global markets. Initially, it will be produced for the European market, at the Mulhouse production facility in France, and subsequently in the Chengdu factory, in China, for the local market. Efficiency was a key concern for the designers of the new 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 consumption (under homologation), both for the hybrids as well as for the 130bhp petrol version. Powered by six cameras and nine radars, a suite of 30 advanced driver assistance systems provides peace of mind and safety. These include:
Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go function
Night Vision, which warns of animals, pedestrians or cyclists in the lane before they appear in the high beam
Long-range blind-spot monitoring (75 metres)
Rear Traffic Alert, which warns of potential hazards when reversing
The Peugeot 408 will be available with a range of powertrains, including two rechargeable Plug-in Hybrids with 180 and 225hp respectively, as well as a PureTech 130 hp petrol version. All three are coupled to an eight-speed EAT8 automatic gearbox. An all-electric 408 will follow.
Combined with Peugeot’s feline characteristics, the design language of the new 408 is perfectly in keeping with its innovative concept as a top-of-the-range C-segment fastback. It is characterised by a particularly sharp treatment of the surfaces, which is particularly noticeable at the rear, at the end of the roof, the boot lid and the base of the wings, creating a multifaceted design that plays with the light. The tracks are wide, measuring 1.599m at the front and 1.604m at the rear, with rims, sizes up to 20 inches. Although raised, the Peugeot 408 nevertheless has a slim and sporty profile, thanks to a height of just 1.48m. The 408 is based on Peugeot’s multi-energy EMP2 V3 (Efficient Modular Platform) architecture, with a long wheelbase of 2.787m providing generous rear-seat space. Its overall length is 4.690m and the 408 measures 1.859m wide, with the mirrors folded in. At the front, the long bonnet is set between raised wings, which is characteristic of the latest Peugeot models. This stylistic choice reinforces the look at the front end while streamlining the profile. It also simplifies the outline of the bonnet, allowing the body parts to fit with absolute precision. Advanced Matrix LED lighting technology has made it possible to design very slim headlights while guaranteeing a very high level of performance. The light signature extends downwards with two strips of LEDs in the shape of fangs that plunge into the bumper.
The grille is focused around the new Peugeot emblem, which conceals the radar required for many of the driving assistance systems and is a sign of the 408’s identity. The body-colour treatment “hides” the grille by blending into the overall volume of the bumper – a sign of a generational change and the electrification of the Peugeot range. The profile of the new Peugeot 408 is characterised by a clever division between the black and painted body parts, designed to refine its silhouette and add dynamism. It also emphasises the generosity of the passenger compartment, particularly in the side window design, which highlights the fastback shape behind the rear door. Large black scoops characterise the graphic theme of the front end, visually accentuating its width and robustness. They surround and protect the light fangs by joining the black protections that encircle the body and enhance the distinctive light signature. The body and wheel arch side guards extend into a black rear bumper which, by cutting the body colour at an angle, accentuates the inverted effect of the tail. It also helps to visually absorb the rear overhang, which provides a large luggage compartment. Disruptively styled 20-inch wheels (optional on GT Hybrid versions only) feature a geometric shape that is striking when stationary and creates a dramatic visual effect at low speeds. Their unusual design is in keeping with the new 408’s distinctive design. The angular elements enhance efficiency and are distinctive hallmarks of the new Peugeot 408’s style.
Particular attention has been paid to aerodynamics. Every body part has been optimised thanks to close collaboration between Peugeot’s designers and aerodynamics engineers, from the bumpers, boot flap and diffuser to the body pillars, mirrors and underbody screens. In the same vein, the design of the wheels allows for superior aerodynamic efficiency and contributes significantly to the car’s overall performance. These measures, combined with its low stance, contribute to a reduced frontal area (SCx) of 0.654 m2 and a low drag coefficient of 0.28. Wheels sizes on the new Peugeot 408 range from 17 to 20 inches while the tyres are Class A rated to improve efficiency by reducing rolling resistance, without sacrificing Peugeot’s instinctive handling and benchmark road holding. Body rigidity has been optimised by bonding the structural elements to improve vibration comfort. Driving pleasure is part of the new Peugeot 408’s DNA, with exemplary road holding, top-of-the-range ride comfort, rewarding driving dynamics and perfect handling in town, made possible by a compact turning radius between kerbs of 11.18m. Two plug-in electric hybrid powertrains are available on the new Peugeot 408:
HYBRID 225 e-EAT8: Combination of a 180 hp (132 kW) PureTech engine and an 81 kW electric motor coupled with the e-EAT8 eight-speed automatic gearbox (currently undergoing homologation)
HYBRID 180 e-EAT8: Combination of a 150 hp PureTech engine (110kW) and an 81 kW electric motor coupled with the eight-speed e-EAT8 automatic gearbox (currently under homologation)
