When and how was the Peugeot 408 crossover sedan born?

Attention, this is not a concept car but a study model for internal use, which is not intended to be exposed to the public. It’s the first time we’ve seen her.

Pierre-Paul Mattei, the design manager of the Peugeot 408, deciphers the style of this crossover and explains the genesis of this project imagined in 2015. Rare fact, a model called Manifesto, which is anything but a concept car, supports his point perfectly.

On the sidelines of the presentation of the Peugeot 408, the manufacturer allowed us to discover the genesis of this atypical project. It all started in 2015 with an amazing prototype called Manifesto.

Peugeot Manifesto reveal — This is the first time that Peugeot has unveiled the “Manifesto”.

Please note, this is not a concept car but rather a working tool for the management of the brand. A declaration of intent to convince and materialize an original concept. This style model has never been exhibited and Pierre-Paul Mattei, the design manager of the Peugeot 308 and 408 programs, tells us that this is the first time that the manufacturer has shown this type of study to journalists.

A founding yellow manifesto only

Peugeot Manifesto 2015 — Attention, this is not a concept car but a study model for internal use, which is not intended to be exposed to the public. It’s the first time we’ve seen her.

You will understand, even if it is not simple, you shouldn’t get attached to the style or the proportions of this yellow machine which does not fail to pique our curiosity. Besides, Manifesto is reminiscent of another concept car, the Volvo 40.2, unveiled in 2016. A cosmetic patchwork of the brand’s contemporary achievements, it borrows a bonnet cutout from the prototype Peugeot SR1the trim decorating the bottom of the rear window on the first 208, or the double fold on the rear wing on the second generation Peugeot 308 Mk2 and 3008.

We can even, with a little hindsight, find in the curve of the trunk a reference to the Peugeot 204 and 304 coupés. But all that does not ultimately matter. Because, as you can see, between this 2015 manifesto and the production Peugeot 408 designed in 2019 to arrive on the market in early 2023 everything has changed, both in terms of dimensions and lines.

Many avenues explored

Pierre-Paul Mattei design Peugeot 408 P54 1/4 scale style model — This 1/4 scale model was one of the initial stylistic tracks of the P54 project.

In addition to the manifesto, several 1⁄4 scale style models made of clay, an easy-to-model clay, are also present. They testify to the many style avenues that have been explored by the brand’s designers. When the in-house coded project P54 originated, the aim was to redefine the vision of the traditional sedan. Anything but a trivial matter!