For the lion brand, it will be the star of 2022. The P54 project, the coupé SUV derived from the 308, will be presented in the summer of 2022 then marketed the following spring under the name of Peugeot 408 Crossover. Our spy photographers flushed him out in the far north under thick camouflage. Decryption.
We told you about it two weeks ago… A strange old-generation Peugeot 308 station wagon, but rather high on its legs and dressed in adventurer’s fittings, was stretching its wheels in the Swedish snow. Today we know more about him thanks to new images from our spy photographer. Doubt is no longer allowed, this is the project Peugeot P54, the crossover coupe which will complete the 308 family in the spring of 2023.
P54: a front of 308 or almost…
Under the thick psychedelic camouflage which is not there to protect the vehicle from the polar cold, we can make out the thin headlights of the Peugeot 308 and also the cut-out of its so-called bodybuilder bonnet. A rewarding and top-of-the-range architecture that the compact sedan inherited from its big sister, the Peugeot 508 family. all the front part with the exception of the bumper – whose design is intended to be more aggressive on the P54 than on the 308 – is common up to the middle foot. Understand by this that the fenders, the hood therefore, but also the front doors are the same in order to reduce production costs. The vehicle will be assembled in the Mulhouse plant (68). Question that remains unanswered, will the Peugeot P54 be entitled to a pair of luminous triple fangs which could echo those of the Peugeot 508 RXH?
A giant wheelbase!
The Peugeot P54 is longer than the 308 saloon (4.37 m) and also than the 308 SW station wagon (4.63 m). Its format should be around 4.70 m, or 5 cm less than a Peugeot 508. In addition, it should offer good roominess thanks to a generous wheelbase, as much as the 308 station wagon (2.73 m). An indispensable criterion for the Chinese market where the vehicle is highly anticipated. This therefore implies stretched rear doors vis-à-vis that of the sedan. Note on the pictures the presence of protruding shoulders and a very upward shape of the body line. The designers have obviously had a free hand to bring dynamism. Finally, the arrow-shaped quarter window clearly accentuates the drop in the line of the roof. This is only visual since in fact it is the beltline which rises clearly at the rear of the vehicle. A very successful trompe l’oeil.
At this level, it is also surprising, it evokes more the formal universe of Citroëns, we think particularly of the CX rather than that of a model of the Peugeot brand. And in general, the “high on the leg” posture of the P54 inevitably makes one think, here again, of a work of the brand with double chevrons, very recent this one, the Citroën C5 X. It too has raised its guard at the ground. Models that will undoubtedly have technical communities. Like thermal engines and rechargeable hybrids.
In detail, we discover that the Peugeot P54 will have an autoclave tailgate, the edges of the bezel rest directly on the side windows. An originality which will also be an opportunity to offer a very wide opening. It’s practical, as is the flap which drops quite low on the shield and lowers the loading sill. At the bottom of the latter, the fog lights, the reflectors and the reversing lights are none other than those of the 308 SW. We can’t wait to experience this amazing camouflage-free mix. You will have to wait a few more months for this. Stay tuned The argus will keep you informed.
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