The 2023 Peugeot 408 has been revealed ahead of a 2023 Australian release as a coupe SUV to sit above the also-incoming 308 hatchback and wagon. Based largely on the new Citroen C4, the 408 combines C-segment sizing, a coupe roofline and a raised driving position for a new type of car for the Peugeot brand. It will feature the brand’s latest power plants, including plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
“At Peugeot, we believe that life is better with allure. With its unique look, innovative fastback silhouette and unbridled elegance, the new 408 is the perfect expression of the Peugeot brand’s philosophy and inventiveness,” says Linda Jackson, CEO of the Peugeot brand.
“Unexpected from every angle, the new Peugeot 408 has been designed for lovers of cars and of life, who want to break free from the traditional while seeking responsible pleasure. It embodies Peugeot’s exacting technological standards – controlled efficiency and a very high-level digital experience – as well as the intense emotions of instinctive driving pleasure.”
Stylistically, the 2023 Peugeot 408 takes Peugeot’s latest design language and adds a degree of sharpness, including angular headlights, a massive mouth, ‘claw’ daytime running lights, sharp surfacing across the side of the body, a long-slung roofline, wheels up to 20-inches in size, LED tailights with daytime running lights and a rear bumper that’s designed to hide ‘visually absorb’ the rear overhang.
Under the bonnet of the 2023 Peugeot 408 will be a range of powerplants, including the 96kW/230Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that’s also found in the 2008 SUV, and two plug-in hybrid drivetrains combining a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motors for either 132kW in total or 165kW in total – we’d wager the same 133kW non-hybrid 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine from the 3008 GT Sport making its way into the 408 in Australia and maybe even the 114kW 1.2-litre turbo petrol used in the 2008 GT Sport. All 408s are front-wheel drive and use eight-speed automatic transmissions.
The plug-in hybrid variants of the 408 range support AC charging – not DC fast-charging – that’s capable of a full battery charge in just under two hours with the optional 7.4kW charger. Using the standard 3.7kW charger increases that to just under four hours. An all-electric ‘e-408’ will likely follow in the coming years.
Inside the 2023 Peugeot 408 is an interior that largely follows the new 308’s design, with a sleek and high-quality cabin surrounding occupants. Available features include a 10-inch touchscreen with a 10-inch digital driver’s display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, TomTom satellite navigation, over-the-air updates (in Europe, at least) and a new ‘hey Peugeot’ voice assistant.
Wireless phone charging joins the wireless smartphone mirroring, while four USB-C ports, a 10-speaker Focal sound system, a panoramic sunroof, multi-colour LED ambient lighting, heated seats, a heated steering wheel and the new toggle transmission selector from the C4.
The 408 sits on the same ‘EMP2’ platform as other larger models in the Peugeot Citroen range, including the aforementioned C4, as well as the new 308, the 508, 3008 and 5008. Measuring 4,690mm long with a 2,790mm long wheelbase and a height of 1,480mm, the 408 has a healthy 536-litre boot that expands to 1,611L with the rear seats folded.
The 2023 Peugeot 408 will feature the latest in technology from the PSA Groupe, including Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high beam functionality, auto emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, lane keep assist with lane trace assist and semi-automatic lane changing, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, a 360-degree camera, driver attention monitoring and even an infrared night vision system through the digital driver’s display.
The 2023 Peugeot 408 will go on sale in Australia sometime in 2023 with local pricing and specifications to be confirmed before then. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest automotive news and reviews.
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