2023 Peugeot 408 debuts as brand’s first fastback crossover     

Peugeot has unveiled its new 408 crossover for the 2023 model year, featuring fastback styling on a compact crossover platform. The French automaker has described it as the first of its kind not only for the marque, but the automotive industry as a whole. 

Peugeot describes the new 408 crossover as a first in its history

The name is also the moniker used by an unrelated compact sedan sold by Peugeot in other markets such as China, where the new model will be sold as the 408 X. Riding on the PSA Efficient Modular Platform 2 (EMP2) architecture, the 408 crossover was said to be in development for seven years due to its radical concept.   

“The new 408 is the perfect expression of the Peugeot brand’s philosophy and inventiveness,” said Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson. “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.”      

Exterior

The 408 stands 4,687mm long, 1,848mm wide, and 1,478mm high on a 2,787mm wheelbase. Adopting a stance similar to a feline ready to pounce, it features an aerodynamic silhouette that achieves a drag coefficient of 0.28 Cd, within the range of conventional sedans.   

The new model features an aerodynamic profile 

Raised wings surround the sculpted hood which flows down into a body-colored grille bearing Peugeot’s new lion’s head corporate emblem. At the upper edges lie the ultra-slim matrix LED headlamp array, accompanied by the LED distinctive light fangs bordering the blacked-out vents on the front bumper. 

Prominent body cladding accompanies the profile of the 408, where a three-dimensional character line on the doors adds character to the design. From the A-pillar, the roofline descends towards a pair of ‘cat ear’ extensions that serve to divert air towards the spoiler at the base of the rear glass. 

The 408's 'cat ears' provide a corridor for air to pass through  

An inverted cut-out on the rear bumper emphasizes the rear diffuser, while the familiar three-claw LED tail lamps surround the power-opening automatic liftgate. The play on geometric shapes extends to the 20-inch alloy wheels, which at first glance would be easily mistaken as those belonging to a concept vehicle, befitting the 408’s futuristic styling.  

Interior

The 408’s interior is just as striking, offering accommodations wrapped in plush Nappa leather for up to five occupants. A massage feature on the front seats comes in handy for especially long drives. Air-conditioning vents are placed high on the angular dashboard, and Peugeot says this helps improve cooling comfort.   

A driver-oriented cockpit is waiting for you to take the wheel

Meanwhile, rear legroom comes in at a generous 188mm, which should be a boon for tall passengers. The rear cargo bay can hold up to 536 liters of luggage by default, and folding down the second-row seats significantly expands this capacity up to 1,611 liters.  

Tech & Safety

Ease of use for the driver was a priority with the i-Cockpit layout, beginning with the ergonomic steering wheel that offers optional heating and contains switches for communications as well as driver-assist features. 

Rear passengers benefit from best-in-class rear legroom

A 10-inch digital instrument cluster can be fully customized with a range of display modes, while a similarly sized central touchscreen features a row of ‘i-toggle’ touch controls that can also be fully configured to the user’s preferences. It also features natural language voice recognition.   

While the touchscreen is angled primarily towards the driver, it can also be viewed by the front passenger with no issue. Up to two smartphones can be linked to the system via Bluetooth, while physical connections comprise four USB-C ports. Over-the-air updates ensure that the i-Connect Advanced multimedia system runs on the latest software.  

The row of haptic buttons below the touchscreen can be reconfigured according to the user

The 408 also brings latest-generation driver-assist systems, enhanced by six cameras and nine radar sensors throughout the vehicle. These include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Night Vision, and 360-degree Parking Assistance. In addition, the upcoming Drive Assist 2.0 package offers semi-automatic lane change and anticipated speed recommendation, representing another step to semi-autonomous driving.    

Engine & Drivetrain

The Peugeot 408 comes in a selection of three available powertrains, two of them electrified with a plug-in hybrid system. There’s a 1.6-liter PureTech gasoline engine working with an electric motor to produce 178 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque, while a more powerful version yields 222 horsepower while retaining the displacement. 

Two of the 408's available powertrains are plug-in hybrids

For those who prefer a combustion model, the 408 also comes in a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged version, rated at 130 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque. However, this hold-out will eventually be replaced by a mild hybrid unit late next year, and a fully electric e-408 will follow. 

All engines spin the front wheels with an 8-speed automatic transmission, actuated by switches on the central console. The plug-in hybrid powertrains use a 12.4kWh lithium-ion battery, taking a little over seven hours to fully charge using a standard socket or an hour and 40 minutes with the available 7.4kW charger. Regenerative braking also charges the battery, which carries an 8-year/160,000-kilometer warranty.  

Release

This is part of Peugeot's commitment to electrification

The 2023 Peugeot 408 crossover is slated to be released early next year, with production lines designated at the automaker’s Mulhouse plant in France as well as its Chengdu facility in China. Depending on the market, the model can be purchased online through the Peugeot website. 

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