Presentation Peugeot 408 2023, first contact with the crossover

Peugeot It is experiencing a very sweet moment in terms of car sales, as reflected month by month by the registration data in Spain. And it is that their cars, which are not exactly the cheapest in the general brands, are convincing the clientele. Will he too? new Peugeot 408? We just see it, touch it and feel it in a first contact.

The French firm summoned us for the first presentation of the new 408 in Spain. Unfortunately we have not been able to drive it, because it was a static event, but we have been able to appreciate certain things we like and others we don't. Along the following lines we tell you all about the Peugeot 408.

Before entering fully into sections such as design, habitability, trunk or engines, it is important to mention other aspects. For example, that Peugeot has just opened orders for its new model for any engine and finish. Also, let your starting price for the most accessible version is 33.350 euros and that the first units will arrive in early 2023.

Where is the Peugeot 408 positioned?

The Peugeot 408 arrives to occupy a market niche that has just seen the light. The one with the compact size crossovers. Or so the brand says, because with its 4,69 meters long, 1,85 wide and 2,79 meters of wheelbase..., compact, what is said compact, is not. The height is 1,48 meters.

It is therefore located between the Peugeot 3008 and 508. It is not an SUV because it is not a tall vehicle despite having marked wheel arches and cosmetic details that simulate lower protections, but due to its fastback roof style and silhouette it is not a sedan either.

Peugeot says that with this vehicle They intend to reach customers who are looking for new concepts, thus betting on a visual differentiation. For comparison, the body style is similar to that of the Renault arkana y Cupra-Formentor or, without leaving the Stellantis group, the Citroen C5 X, with which it shares the platform and engines.

A feline preparing to attack

Aesthetically it is perceived as an aggressive car, with very marked geometric shapes in each of its angles. It is based on the prototype known internally as the P54. It has an appearance that reminds us of a feline prepared to hunt its prey.

Look at the front bumper, the scratched headlights or the fangs for the daytime running lights. By the way, the main grille It is new, always going in the same body color and where the new logo of the car company takes center stage. Exude aggressiveness.

As we mentioned above, on the side it does not go unnoticed either, with a soft silhouette that culminates with a fastback style due to its slow drop from the roof that ends in a slight spoiler on the edge of the trunk. Again we find marked and straight lines, as well as some very faired specific rims to improve aerodynamics.

For its part, the rear area of the body follows the same style, with a very marked bumper in black to generate contrast, muscle and visual power. The LED pilots are also very striking, as are the upper appendages that join the roof with the first part of the tailgate.

And speaking of trunk, when opening the automatic gate we receive a capacity of 536 liters in the gasoline variant and 471 liters in the plug-in hybrids, since the battery steals some space from the cargo area.

The interior is identical to that of the Peugeot 308

Much less news found inside, where we have the same style of dashboard, controls, center console and seats as in its little brother, the Peugeot 308.

This means that we continue to see the i-Cockpit cockpit, that personally does not convince me because in my ideal position at the wheel it does not allow me to see the instrument panel in its entirety. Bliss instrumentation is three dimensional using a 10-inch screen.

In the center of the dashboard appears the screen of the multimedia system, also with 10 inches. In the lower part of it there are some configurable touch keys for different shortcuts, a good solution. It seems less good to us that Peugeot, like other brands of the Stellantis group, continues integrating air conditioning in this multimedia module tactile.

Fair habitability in height for the rear seats

See this post on Instagram

A post shared by Actualidad Motor (@actualidadmotor)

Regarding space, in the front seats there is a good habitability for adults of practically any size, although it is true that the center console is a bit wide and we may not have a great feeling of spaciousness.

We have to pay more attention to the second row of seats. Thanks to its great battle we have a generous space for the knees with respect to the front seats. Peugeot says that this 408 is the one that offers the most distance for the legs of its entire range.

However, the problem comes in height, in the space for the head. To enter we have to bend the trunk a little more if we do not want to hit the upper frame of the bodywork. The French firm commented that a person 1,85 meters tall can travel comfortably, but I do not entirely agree.

Me, with my 1,76, I have a lot of distance for the legs but not so much for the head. At least in this unit in which I have been able to get on, which incorporates a panoramic roof. In my case, I don't have more than 3 fingers left to touch the ceiling. Therefore, an occupant of approximately 1,80 will already be almost touching the headlining. In addition, since the window is small, it does not give an impression of visual relief either.

For the rest, we have center armrest with two cup holders, air vents, USB charging sockets and pockets to leave magazines. These rear seats do not have any type of adjustment in inclination of the backrest or longitudinal of the entire bench.

Three engines available in the Peugeot 408

Peugeot has not wanted to complicate life with a very wide mechanical offer, but has opted for three alternatives. By the way, for the moment the integral traction is ruled out, but it is important to note that All versions incorporate an automatic gearbox as standard.

Later, in 2023 or 2024, a fully electric variant of this Peugeot 408 will arrive.

The access mechanical version for the Peugeot 408 is the 1.2 PureTech petrol with three cylinders and supercharging by turbo. develop 130 CV at 5.500 laps and a maximum torque of 230 Nm from 1.750 revolutions per minute.

The other two variants are plug-in hybrids, calling itself Hybrid 180 and Hybrid 225 referring to their joint maximum power. They share the battery, which is 12,4 kWh, and the 81 kW (110 hp) electric motor.. However, the difference in performance is given by the thermal engine, which is a 1.6 petrol engine, producing 150 hp in the less powerful one and 180 in the higher one. The combined maximum torque in both cases is 360 Nm.

Equipment Peugeot 408

for equipment and trim levels They didn't want to get too involved either. There are three, which they are called Allure, Allure Pack and GT. The same happens with the colors for the bodywork, with only six shades of which two are new to the brand, Obssesion Blue and Titanium Grey.

The Peugeot 408 Allure It comes with 10-inch screens, Peugeot Connect Nav, parking sensors and rear camera, hands-free start, Safety Plus package, driver's seat with manual adjustments, acoustic front windshield, darkened rear windows, Full LED lighting and 17-inch wheels.

Meanwhile, the Allure Pack adds front parking sensors, Drive Assist Pack and 19-inch diamond-cut wheels in black. The top of the range, the GT finish, incorporates the Drive Assist Plus Pack, heated steering wheel and specific 19-inch wheels, in addition to a series of details that provide a sportier visual appearance.

Peugeot 408 prices

Gallery Peugeot 408

More information about this model

Peugeot 408

• Plazas 5
• Power 130 - 225 hp
• Consumption 1,4 - 5,1l/100km
• Assessment 4,5