Peugeot announced weeks ago that this week we would discover a new model, with a name Peugeot 408. We already knew that this new product would have a differentiating style in the brand's range and that it would bet on a crossover aesthetic. Of course, it directly takes the base and many features of the Peugeot 308, as you can see in the images.
In any case, the French firm has unveiled this morning its new model. It is, as we said, a crossover, but nevertheless bets on a coupé-style aesthetic. Without a doubt, it puts the focus on the new segment of coupes and compact crossovers, looking straight ahead Renault arkana how good results it is bringing to its compatriots.
Crossover, coupé and compact This is how the new Peugeot 408 looks from the outside!
The front of the Peugeot 408 bears similarities to the aforementioned 308 in features such as the grille or matrix headlights, as well as in the fangs that make daylight. But everything else changes.
On the side, this differentiation is perfectly appreciated, looking for a more modern style that, without a doubt, will attract a lot of attention when we see it on the streets. The silhouette is very smooth, while betting on a high waist line and really marked hips. The lower ribs are also very marked and, as if that were not enough, the wheel arches and lower protections are in black to generate even more contrast.
No less attractive is the rear. This rear area of the new Peugeot 408 has a gate whose edge is too high, immediately giving way to the LED pilots. The shapes of the bumper, completely in black from the middle down, are very robust, conveying a great character.
As for the dimensions is concerned, it is noticeably longer than the 308 from which it derives. It measures no less than 4,69 meters in length, while the width is 1,85 and the height is 1,48. For its part, the battle is 2,79 meters and the ground clearance is practically 19 centimeters.
The interior hardly changes compared to the 308
Far fewer differences are found in the cabin, where It is practically a carbon copy of the Peugeot 308; something that, on the other hand, was to be expected. We have the usual small and flat steering wheel both at the top and at the bottom, a 10 inch digital picture seen above the steering wheel, and an identically sized central dashboard display.
The center console is still quite prominent.
Although we have not yet been able to get into this car, because of the photographs, we can guess that the rear seats will not offer a great sense of space. This is due to the shape of the doors and the little glass surface they show, although this detail objectively does not have to condition the distance for legs and head.
On the other hand, according to the technical file the trunk cubic 471 liters in the plug-in hybrid versions and up to 536 liters in gasoline, which is a good fact. Of course, we will see when we test it if its forms are really usable for carrying luggage.
Peugeot 408: Two PHEVs, a gasoline and later an electric
And since we have mentioned different mechanics, the Peugeot 408 will not offer, at least for now, diesel versions. The starting range will consist of two plug-in hybrid PHEV versions and one gasoline version.
Starting with pluggable, we have the versions Hybrid 180 and Hybrid 225. They share a 12,4 kWh battery and an 81 kW or 110 hp electric motor (which goes on the front end). The differences between the two are given by the thermal engine, which is a 1.6-liter gasoline in both, but develops 150 hp and 180 in the second. Thus, the powers are 180 and 225 hp respectively, as their names indicate, yielding a maximum torque of 360 Nm.
Going to the only traditional mechanical option, here appears the Peugeot 408 Puretech 130. It is a 3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine a 1.2 liters of cubic capacity develop 130 CV at 5.500 laps and a torque of 230 Nm from 1.750. As we said, it is associated with an automatic EAT8 box.
Peugeot has made it clear that a 100% electric version will be launched later of this model.
Driving assistants of the Peugeot 408
The provision of security and driving assistants of the new Peugeot 408 will be very complete, mainly highlighting the following:
- Adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go function
- Automatic emergency braking with collision risk alert
- Active warning of involuntary lane departure with trajectory correction
- Extended traffic sign recognition
- Driver Attention Alert
- night vision system
- Long range blind spot control (up to 75 meters)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Reversing camera
- 360 degree parking aid
- Matrix LED headlights
- automatic high beams
- Semi-automatic lane change
- Speed advisory anticipation
- Hands-free entry and start
- motorized tailgate
- Electric parking brake
Source - Peugeot