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Peugeot 408: a larger SUV-coupe than Renault Arkana and Mercedes GLA
“It’s a new kind of car,” proclaims Linda Jackson, Peugeot’s managing director; “Exceptional modernity,” adds Jérôme Micheron, product director of the lion brand. For “customers looking for disruptive objects”, adds Matthias Hossann, head of design for the manufacturer. Peugeot went to great lengths with qualifiers and superlatives on Tuesday June 21, during the presentation in Paris of its new 408 to a few journalists in preview of the official presentation this Wednesday. So here is a mixture of SUV, sedan and coupe, which Peugeot calls “Fastback”, a term with an Anglo-Saxon sounding like SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) which, ultimately, does not mean anything. But, as the word is vague and the concept indefinable, we repeat it at will.
“We are particularly targeting customers who have had two or three SUVs, want to keep the feeling of protection and safety, the functionality of these vehicles, but are looking for novelty with the driving sensations of a sedan”, specifies Jérôme Micheron. “SUVs are becoming too conventional,” he insists. “We are also targeting customers who come from the compact sedan and want more interior space and even customers from the upper segment (D) who demand more originality”, according to Phil York, director of marketing. Squaring the circle.
Much longer than the 3008
With a length of 4.69 meters, the 408 is much larger than the 3008 SUV born in 2016 (4.45) with a very long wheelbase (distance between the front and rear axles) of 2.79 m (compared to 2 .68) to provide plenty of room for rear passengers. The luggage compartment is also a little more generous, with a volume of 536 liters (compared to 520 for the 3008). The 408 is however 12 centimeters lower for better aerodynamics and therefore greater energy efficiency. It has the big wheels and therefore the raised ground clearance of an SUV with the matt black guards, but the upper part of the cabin is lower.
In fact, the 408 shares its platform with the 308 saloon born last year, and even the windshield, the front door windows and… the dashboard. Either “50% common parts with the 308”, according to Jérôme Micheron. But it is a real Meccano within PSA (today Stellantis), since the 408 takes for example the wheelbase of the last Citroën C5X. The car is undeniably original and well proportioned. In Peugeot design fashion, however, it is, in our opinion, very aggressive with a complicated, over-drawn grille, beveled lines and somewhat gratuitous sheet metal mouldings. VSthrows it away. Same thing inside with the huge screen and a voluminous dashboard that wants to be “high tech”… and a bit bling-bling.
From 35,000 euro
The 408 shares its engines with the 308 and 3008, including the 1.2 three-cylinder 130 horsepower and automatic gearbox. It uses the 225 horsepower rechargeable hybrid of the 3008 but also the new 180 horsepower of the 308; 50% of sales will be made with plug-in hybrid versions, estimates Peugeot. Diesel is no longer on the program. A new electric version will arrive in 2023. The prices “will be for the same version a little lower than those of a 3008”, specifies Phil York. But the 408 range will only be sold in the two top versions Allure and GT. The base price should therefore be around 35,000 euros (130 petrol horsepower). The 3008 product line paradoxically starts lower because it includes versions Entry-level active that the 408 will not offer.
In fact, the 408 is part of the SUV-coupe segment, inaugurated by BMW with the 2008 X6. Today, we find the Renault Arkana, the Audi Q3 Sportback, Mercedes GLA. Citroën presents its C4X on June 29 which will be in the same vein, but at a lower price than the 408. A niche which still only has a few silhouettes. This allows Peugeot to nourish hopes of conquest. Produced in the Mulhouse factory (Haut-Rhin) alongside the 308 sedan and break, the 408 will be the highlight of the next Paris Motor Show to be held from October 17 to 23 in Paris. First deliveries in January 2023. This 408 will also be manufactured in Chengdu, China, for the local market, in late spring 2023, under the name 408X. France will notably produce all the export versions, including to Asia (Japan, Vietnam, etc.)
