Peugeot has revealed its funky 408 ‘coupe SUV’, a model that further muddies the distinction between typical liftbacks and crossovers.
It brings the fight to fellow Stellantis rivals the Citroen C5 X and C4, as well as the Renault Arkana.
Peugeot Australia has confirmed the 408 will launch in Australia, although it stopped short on when it will be arriving.
For context, the Peugeot 408 will be sold in Europe and China from the “very beginning of 2023”.
“We are currently working closely with the factory on launch timings for our market and look forward to sharing more information in due course,” said Peugeot Australia managing director Kate Gillis.
The local Peugeot division also mentioned that Australian specification may differ from what will be offered in Europe and China.
Under the bonnet, the Peugeot 408 will initially be available with three different powertrain options in global markets: one petrol and two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options.
The singular petrol offering is a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 96kW of power and 230Nm of torque.
A version of this engine is used in the Peugeot 308 and Citroen C4, among others.
One of the PHEV powertrains comprise a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and a 12.4kWh battery pack. Total system outputs are 133kW and 360Nm.
The other PHEV powertrain uses all the same components but produces a total system power output of 165kW. This powertrain is currently offered locally in the Peugeot 508 PHEV.
All three of the powertrains are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with drive sent to the front wheels only.
Both of the PHEV powertrains can AC charge at a maximum rate of 3.7kW. This can be optionally boosted to 7.4KW.
Peugeot claims the 408 PHEV models with the standard 3.7kW inboard charger can charge from 0-100 per cent in just under four hours using a 14A domestic plug.
With the optional 7.4kW inboard charge, the 408 PHEV can full charge in one hour and 40 minutes using a 32A wallbox.
Peugeot has confirmed an all-electric version of the 408 will “follow a few months after”.
The Peugeot 408 measures 4687mm long, 1848mm wide, and 1478mm tall, with a 2787mm wheelbase.
For context, the Peugeot 308 SW wagon is 51mm shorter than the 408 ‘coupe SUV’ and the 508 liftback is 63mm longer.
The boot with the second row of seats upright measures in at 536L, which can be expanded to 1611L with the rear seats folded.
On the design front, the Peugeot 408 has a sleek fastback silhouette with sharp lines, and is said to have a “feline stance”.
It retains the “three-claw” LED daytime running light signature that’s a familiar design cue throughout other Peugeot offerings.
There are also 20-inch alloy wheels that have a “disruptive geometric design”.
Inside the Peugeot 408 is the French automaker’s latest version of the Peugeot i-Cockpit, which pairs a small steering wheel with a high-mounted digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen infotainment screen.
Peugeot stopped short on mentioning what interior features the 408 gets exactly but says it has “the very latest technologies”.
On the safety front, the Peugeot 408 comes standard with the following safety features:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
- Night vision
- Long-range blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
Peugeot also says there are six cameras and nine radars scattered all around the 408 ‘coupe SUV’.
The French automaker says the 408 will first be produced in Mulhouse, France for the European market and then in Chengdu, China for the Chinese market.
It’s worth noting the Chinese-market version of this ‘coupe SUV’ will be called the Peugeot 408X because there’s already a sedan version of the previous-generation 308 called the 408 sold there.
For now we’ll have to wait for more details surrounding when Peugeot Australia will bring the 408 Down Under.
