New number in the Peugeot range, the 408 is logically placed between the 308 and the 508. In fact, it is much closer to its big sister than to the compact. A proximity that could harm the five-door coupe in the range? First virtual game.
It is one of the big French novelties of the year 2022 and even next year, since it will arrive in concessions at the beginning of 2023. The Peugeot 408 is already causing a sensation!
Peugeot 408, a rare bird?
Silhouette of fastback sedan and SUV trappings have never before been associated on the same car in the Peugeot range. And even when we take a step back, in the automotive landscape, apart from the Volvo S60 Cross Country and the Polestar 2, this type of marriage is rather rare. On the upper floor, in the road segment, the Citroën C5 X and the Chinese Ford Mondeo are already venturing into this promising territory, it is a fundamental trend that will develop. A wave on which the Peugeot 408 must hurry to surf. Embodying the modernity and renewal of the sedan, it will oppose the Peugeot 508 which represents the historic canal sedan, even if this third version launched in the fall of 2018 has done everything possible to emancipate itself. We brought them together virtually for this first game.
TO READ. What does the entry-level Peugeot 408 look like?
Peugeot 408: the 508 in sight?
4.69 m long, the Peugeot 408 is placed halfway in the range between a 308 SW (4.63 m) and a 508 (4.75 m). Question wheelbase, the 408 and 508 are equal (2.79 m) and have identical track widths (1.86 m). In other words, the 408 has the same footprint as the 508. However, with a height of 1.48 m, the 408 measures the 508 by a good 8 centimeters. It counts ! Finally, at the level of the hold, the 408 has a carrying capacity of between 522 and 1,611 l, greater than that of the 508, whose tailgate opens on a volume oscillating between 487 and 1,587 l.
The break version, however, allows the 508 to take its revenge with the possibility of swallowing up to 1,876 l. But, beyond the figures, the 408 is much more accessible to use and offers more space in the rear seats than its predecessor. The latter sacrifices these practical aspects on the altar of aesthetics. The 408 sports a fastback type line, but it retains a flat roof up to the level of the heads of the rear passengers. The profile of the 508 is typically that of a five-door coupé. Concretely, its roof line undergoes an inflection from the central pillar. Access and guard to the roof suffer. Furthermore, the 408 does not forget the comfort of its occupants, with the possibility for the latter to slide their feet under the front seats which have been raised. It makes sense to have a somewhat SUV-like driving position.
An electric 408, an overpowered 508
Perfectly in tune with the times, the Peugeot 408 first emphasizes rechargeable hybrid engines with a dual proposal, combining 180 hp for the first and 225 hp for the second. The entry-level is based on the strong 130 hp 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder petrol engine. Then, in 2024, a 100% electric variant will come as reinforcements.
The Peugeot 508 still has a Cobra-type gear selector for the EAT8 automatic gearbox.
In all cases, the power is transmitted only to the front wheels through the eight-speed automatic gearbox (EAT8). The latter is operated by a slider-style control and not by an imposing Cobra-type lever, as is the case on board the 508. Rational, the Peugeot 408 range is limited to three trim levels: Allure, Allure Pack and GT.
When the Peugeot 508 was launched in the fall of 2018, the range of engines was purely thermal. The latter consisted of a 1.6 PureTech gasoline unit of 180 and 225 hp and three diesel proposals: 1.5 BlueHDi 130 and 2.0 BlueHDi available in variants of 160 and 180 hp. Just like the Peugeot 408, the 508 in its early days was only available in front-wheel drive and with the almost generalized EAT8 automatic gearbox. The only exception to the rule is a six-speed manual transmission available on the entry-level diesel.
“Over the course of its career, the Peugeot 508 has adapted to the evolution of the market, gradually abandoning diesel and gasoline for rechargeable hybrid proposals.“
Over its career, the 508 adapted to changing market conditions with a new entry-level petrol engine in the form of the 130 bhp 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder engine. Two plug-in hybrid versions – which attempted to replace the 160 and 180 hp diesels – 225 and 360 hp strong (Peugeot 508 PSE) with four-wheel drive are also on the program. Question finishes, the Peugeot 508 has also revised its copy from five levels in its infancy (Active, Allure, GT Line, GT and First Edition) to only three over time: Active Pack, Allure Pack and GT.
What future for the Peugeot 508?
Appeared in the fall of 2018, the Peugeot 508 will go through the restyling box in 2023. Remember, it is she who released the bright fangs in the Peugeot range; she is therefore a fashion launcher. In this vein, the facelift version of the 508 will continue this momentum with the arrival of three luminous claws under each of the headlights. A signature sketched out by the Peugeot 9X8 hypercar and which will be applied step by step to the entire range. Another notable development is an update to the multimedia interface with, no doubt, the appearance of three-dimensional holographic instrumentation that the 208 already offers, but which the 508 does not yet have.
New driving aids are also expected, as well as the i-Toggle configurable touch controls inaugurated by the third generation 308 and logically carried over to the Peugeot 408. As we mentioned above, the Cobra-type gear selector could very well well fall by the wayside during this restyling, which should quietly lead the Peugeot 508 to a retirement scheduled for 2026-2027. The following ? Nothing in the boxes because the family sedan segment is doomed to disappear.
A 408 logically less expensive
For the moment, Peugeot has not announced the prices of the 408. This should take place in October on the occasion of the Paris Motor Show. In all likelihood, the prices of the 408 should be more attractive than those of the 508, which oscillate between 38,100 and 68,550 €. Count from €33,000 according to our estimates. The 408 will also benefit from a “wow” effect and the appeal of novelty. If Peugeot will strive to upgrade the 508 on the occasion of the restyling, the case is far from being won against a 408 which ticks all the boxes.
TO READ. Peugeot 508. Price changes for the sedan and station wagon in 2022
