A reader has sent in yet more spyshots of the new Peugeot 408 sedan. Although there’s nothing new with these images – save for a new funky dotted camouflage pattern – it once again shows that the new C-segment sedan is still very much on its way to market.
First local sightings of the 408 in May were of lightly-disguised left-hand drive vehicles, but photos came in two months later of more heavily-camouflaged right-hand drive units, sporting more handsome blade-like five-spoke wheels instead of the previous Chinese-spec multi-spoke items. The Kedah trade plates on the latter cars were the first indication that the sedan could be assembled locally (CKD), at Naza’s plant in Gurun.
In August, more spyshots (this time at Gurun itself) provided us a sneak peek at the interior, bringing a surprise – instead of being fitted with the Chinese car’s more conventional dashboard, the mule’s cabin was pretty much identical to the 308, with the i-cockpit dash featuring a high-set instrument cluster, a smaller steering wheel and the 9.7-inch HD touchscreen display flanked by the centre air vents.
Just like how the outgoing 408 was based on the previous T7 308, this new one shares PSA’s EMP2 underpinnings with the new 308, the 2014 European Car of the Year that was launched here in April. The proportions are smarter, and the 2,730 mm wheelbase is 20 mm longer than before. It should be significantly lighter too, if the new 308’s 140 kg savings is anything to go by.
Shouldn’t be too long now before the new 408 makes its way into showrooms – it was revealed to us back in March that the new 408 could launch sometime in the second half this year, and it’s almost the end of the year. Under the bonnet should sit a direct-injected, turbocharged 1.6 litre THP engine with a six-speed automatic – China also gets 1.2 litre e-THP and normally aspirated 1.8 litre CVVT mills.
GALLERY: Chinese-market Peugeot 408
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Excellent addition to our market.. unfortunately Malaysians do not flock to French brands easily, although Peugeot has been more successful than Renault and Citroen.
Look at the Renault Fluence.. its dimensions rival that of the previous-generation D-segment cars, and it has a full suite of safety features that most Japanese and Korean cars in its price bracket lack, and still it’s as rare as spotting a Sumatran Rhino crossing the Karak highway.
The new 408 should be similar or larger than the Fluence in size, with superior safety features as well, but I don’t think it’ll sell as good as the Asian brands
308 needs $$$ to change front windscreen. Conti = money guzzler
Proton = Malaysian junk
Peugeot = European junk
Don’t believe me, go buy a Peugeot!
A Peugeot just won EU COTY. Whatcha smoking boy
Toyota/p2 = moving coffin
The car won’t move unless a driver DRIVE it.
Driving like mat rempit, Lambo also burnt on north south highway lar.
It is your hands to put you in coffin, not the cars. But once you get the Proton/Peugeot, your wallet and bank saving already in coffin. Good luck.
p/s: Saga BLM also 1 star in ASEAN NCAP
Toyota = International junk
I went to Peugeot Glenmarie yesterday to test drive the new 308 (finally) and after having a little chat with the salesman he said that they’re testing the 408 to optimize it for our roads and climate. Expected to go on sale in Q2 next year.
That’s unfortunate. Was expecting it to arrive this year, but the reason is worth the wait. =/
Glad to hear they are making it suited for our climate, a lot of European cars don’t see the need to do this and a few years later the car’s dashboard plastic start cracking under the hot sun.
Alah kalau lalu highway gerik jeli ni nampak ja kereta 408 ni dok testing. Aku lalu situ dah banyak kali gila nampak. Belum nampak persona baru ja lagi.
Sembang lebat. Mana drillnya pandan?
Nobody cares….old 308 well known for their battery poblems (my fren owned one can konfim kreta kena tarik twice frum ofis parkking so malu)…than they add on boot became 408 which nobody cares..nw the new 308 so overpriced sometimes u wonder wat nazak thinking
Said no to PEUGEOT and stupid NASIM!
ex 308 owner here
the original 308 is a joke.