Peugeot 408 2024

2024 Peugeot 408 launched in Malaysia – 218 PS/300 Nm 1.6L turbo, three variants; from RM146k OTR

In Cars, Local Car Launches, Local News, Peugeot / By Mick Chan / 29 April 2024 12:03 pm / 49 comments

Following its initial preview earlier this month, the 2024 Peugeot 408 has now made its official launch in Malaysia, arriving in three variants – Allure, Premium and GT, priced at RM146,055, RM166,055 and RM196,055 on-the-road without insurance for the respective variants, and this is locally assembled (CKD) at the Stellantis plant in Gurun, Kedah.

All three variants are powered by the manufacturer’s PureTech 1.6 litre turbocharged inline-four cylinder petrol engine, rated to produce 218 PS at 5,750 rpm and 300 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. Drive is transmitted to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Built on parent group Stellantis’ EMP2 platform, the fastback 408 measures 4,687 mm long, 1,859 mm wide and 1487 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,787 mm and ground clearance of 189 mm. Luggage capacity is 536 litres with the rear seats in place, and expands to 1,583 litres with the seats folded in the GT variant, or up to 1,611 litres in the Allure and Premium variants.

Click to enlarge

Exterior equipment for the 408 includes alloy wheels ranging from 18 inches on 225/55 for the Allure and Premium variants, up to 20 inches with 245/40 for the top GT variant. Wheels are finished in Granite Grey for the Allure, two-tone Granite Black for the Premium and Monolithe Black for the GT. Allure and Premium variants are equipped with a spare tyre, while the GT gets a tyre repair kit.

The Allure and Premium variants get a front grille finished in chrome, while the GT grille is finished in body colour. For lighting, the top GT gets automatic matrix LED headlamps and 3D ‘claw effect’ LED tail lamps, while Allure and Premium variants get full LED headlamps and tail lamps.

Inside, upholstery starts with vinyl for the Allure, then steps up to leather for the Premium variant, while the GT gets Nappa leather. All three get electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, while the top GT variant adds a memory and a massage function. The front passenger in the Allure gets manual adjustment, while those in the Premium and GT variants get electric adjustment.

Instrumentation is the 10-inch i-Cockpit digital display for all three, while the GT gets a 3D quartz version of the i-Cockpit unit. Infotainment for all three is by a 10-inch i-Cockpit HD colour touchscreen unit, with the GT gaining configurable i-Toggle controls.

Audio for the 408 comes courtesy of a six-speaker system for the Allure and Premium variants, while the top GT variant gets a 10-speaker Focal Premium system, and all three get a wireless phone charger. The GT also gets a cabin air cleaning system.

Safety kit on the 408 range is comprised of AEB, ESP with hill start assist, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system along with rear parking sensors, a rear camera, active bonnet pedestrian impact protection and six airbags.

To these, the Premium variant adds front parking sensors, advanced traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, advanced AEB, front collision warning, blind spot detection, and rear cross traffic alert.

A total of four colours are offered across the three variants of the 2024 Peugeot 408; Obsession Blue, Perla Nera Black, Okenite White and Artense Grey. The Allure variant gets three of the four except Obession Blue while the Premium gets all four exterior colours; the GT gains Obsession Blue in its range of available colours, omitting Artense Grey.

The 2024 Peugeot 408 is covered by a seven-year/200,000 km warranty, of which three years are of manufacturer warranty coverage, followed by four years of extended warranty coverage by Stellantis Malaysia, which has the same scope of coverage as the manufacturer’s warranty.

2024 Peugeot 408 GT

2024 Peugeot 408 Premium

2024 Peugeot 408 Allure

GALLERY: 2024 Peugeot 408 previewed in Malaysia

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2024 Peugeot 408 – first public appearance in Malaysia happening from April 20-21; CKD; launching in May

In Cars, Local News, Peugeot / By Gerard Lye / 17 April 2024 12:54 pm / 10 comments

The Peugeot 408 is set to make its first public appearance in Malaysia this weekend from April 20-21, 2024 during Peugeot Malaysia’s Sinar Raya open house. The event will take place at several Peugeot showrooms, so register here if you want to get up close with the fastback crossover and even place a pre-booking.

Scheduled to be launched here in May, the 408 will be offered in three locally-assembled (CKD) variants, including the base Allure, mid-spec Premium and range-topping GT. No official pricing, but we were told the target audience are those considering a Honda Civic or Accord, so it is speculated to start around the RM140k to RM150k range.

All variants will share the same turbocharged PureTech engine, which is a 1.6 litre unit with 218 PS (215 hp or 160 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 300 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. This drives the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

According to a leaked brochure, which should be taken with a pinch of salt until full details are revealed on launch day, the Allure will come standard with LED headlamps with automatic high beam, LED taillights, automatic wipers and 18-inch alloy wheels in a Granite Grey finish. Inside, the base option comes with partial leather seat upholstery, a powered driver’s seat, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen as well as a six-speaker sound system.

The base option also gets six airbags, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition with speed limit info, lane keep assist, cruise control (presumably adaptive) and autonomous emergency braking.

Stepping up to the Premium adds 18-inch wheels in a Granite Black finish, black Nappa leather seat upholstery, a memory function for the powered driver’s seat, advanced lane keep assistance, lane change assist, a blind spot monitor and reverse warning (presumably rear cross traffic alert).

Peugeot Malaysia Sinar Raya participating showrooms

Going up even higher to the GT, the kit list builds upon the Premium by gaining 20-inch Monolithe Black wheels, matrix LED headlamps, Naboo Blue Nappa leather seat upholstery, a massaging function for the driver’s seat, a 10-inch ‘3D Quartz Display’ instrument cluster, a Focal sound system, a 360-degree camera and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with fully customisable touch panel attached for quick access to certain functions.

The current 408 made its global debut in June 2022 and marked a radical departure from past iterations, which adopted a sedan body style, by being a crossover. Riding on Stellantis’ EMP2 platform, the 408 measures 4,687 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, 1,510 mm tall and with a wheelbase that spans 2,787 mm. For context, that’s about the size of a Civic that is 4,678 mm long, 1,802 mm wide, 1,415 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,735 mm.

GALLERY: 2024 Peugeot 408 preview in Malaysia

GALLERY: 2024 Peugeot 408 leaked brochure

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2024 Peugeot 408 specs leaked before Malaysia launch in May – three variants; 1.6T, 8AT; standard AEB

In Cars, Local News, Peugeot / By Gerard Lye / 9 April 2024 3:14 pm / 22 comments

Local specifications of the Peugeot 408 have leaked ahead of the fastback crossover’s launch scheduled to take place in May. The info comes from a brochure posted in the paultan.org Automotive/Car Discussion Group on Facebook by Mustaqim Mustafa. As always with details obtained from non-official sources, take it with a pinch of salt until we get the full picture on launch day.

It was previously reported that the 408 will be a locally-assembled (CKD) vehicle that comes in three variants. No word on pricing for now, but given the target audience are those considering a Honda Civic or Accord, it is speculated to be between the RM140k to RM150k zone.

According to the brochure, the three variants include the base Premium, the mid-spec Premium and the range-topping GT. All three will share the same turbocharged PureTech engine, which is a 1.6 litre unit with 218 PS (215 hp or 160 kW) at 5,500 rpm and 300 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. This drives the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Click to enlarge

In terms of standard equipment, the Allure gets LED headlamps with automatic high beam, LED taillights, automatic wipers and 18-inch alloy wheels in a Granite Grey finish. Inside, the base option comes with partial leather seat upholstery, a powered driver’s seat, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen as well as a six-speaker sound system.

As for safety and driver assistance features, the 408 in Allure guise is equipped with six airbags, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition with speed limit info, lane keep assist, cruise control (presumably adaptive) and autonomous emergency braking.

The Premium builds upon the Allure by gaining 18-inch wheels in a Granite Black finish, black Nappa leather seat upholstery, a memory function for the powered driver’s seat, advanced lane keep assistance, lane change assist, a blind spot monitor and reverse warning (presumably rear cross traffic alert).

The GT’s kit list takes things further with 20-inch Monolithe Black wheels, matrix LED headlamps, Naboo Blue Nappa leather seat upholstery, a massaging function for the driver’s seat, a 10-inch ‘3D Quartz Display’ instrument cluster, a Focal sound system, a 360-degree camera and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with fully customisable touch panel attached for quick access to certain functions.

The 408 rides on Stellantis’ EMP2 platform and measures 4,687 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, 1,510 mm tall and with a wheelbase that spans 2,787 mm. For context, that’s about the size of a Civic that is 4,678 mm long, 1,802 mm wide, 1,415 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,735 mm.

GALLERY: 2024 Peugeot 408 preview in Malaysia

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2024 Peugeot 408 launching in Malaysia in May – 3 variants, price positioned between Civic and Accord

In Cars, Local News, Peugeot / By Anthony Lim / 2 April 2024 8:55 pm / 21 comments

Stellantis Malaysia has already indicated that the new Peugeot 408 will be making its local debut sometime as in Q2 this year, and it has now been revealed that the fastback crossover will arrive in May as a locally-assembled CKD model and in its 1.6 turbocharged petrol form.

According to Stellantis Malaysia MD Jamie Francis Morais, the 408 will be available in three variant guises, closely following that as seen in the Vietnamese market, where the car is sold in Allure, Premium and GT trim specifications.

Unlike Thailand, where it is available as a plug-in hybrid, the Malaysian 408 will come with a PureTech 1.6 litre turbo four-cylinder engine offering 215 hp (218 PS or 160 kW) and 300 Nm, with power delivered to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

While there has been no mention so far about how much the 408 – for which CKD plans for Malaysia began as far back as the second half of 2022 – will go for, an estimated pricing field has been ventured. We asked Morais if the C-segment crossover would be priced to go up against the Honda Civic or beyond that.

“Officially, this car doesn’t have a competitor, sitting in its own space, but roughly basing it on what customers would pay for and would be considering price-wise, most likely we are looking at customers who are looking at a Civic or an Accord, somewhere in between that,” he told paultan.org.

Given that the Civic ranges from RM132k to RM166.5k and the discontinued 10th-gen Accord went for RM187k-197k, we can expect the 408 to be somewhat priced at a premium, with the base version possibly sitting in the RM140k-150k zone.

However, it’s expected to be well-kitted and its highest indicative price point is still cheaper than the PHEV version sold in Thailand, which retails for 2,790,000 baht (RM362,000), which is likely why we’re getting the petrol turbo.

Not long to go before the 408, which rides on Stellantis’ EMP2 platform that also underpins the 308, 508 and Citroen C5 X, makes its way in to our market, and ahead of that, here’s a live photo gallery of the Stellantis Malaysia demonstrator to tide you over until it makes its way into showrooms.

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Peugeot 408, e-2008 EV and Landtrek CKD coming to Malaysia in 2024, according to Stellantis ASEAN COO

In Cars, Local News, Peugeot / By Gerard Lye / 17 November 2023 10:44 am / 6 comments

More locally-assembled (CKD) Peugeot models will be launched in Malaysia next year, including the 408, e-2008 as well as the Landtrek. This is according to Daniel Gonzalez, chief operating officer (ASEAN and general distributors) at Stellantis, in an interview with The Star’s CarSifu.

Focusing on each model individually, the latest 408 made its global debut last June as a fastback crossover (previously a sedan that was available here), which has already been sighted being tested on Malaysian roads fairly often.

The model has already been launched in neighbouring Thailand, where it is available as a plug-in hybrid with a total system output of 225 PS and 360 Nm of torque. This is contributed to by a 1.6 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine that makes 180 PS and 250 Nm, augmented by an electric motor rated at 110 PS and 320 Nm.

The PHEV system also features a lithium-ion battery with an energy capacity of 12.4 kWh, which is good for 63 km of pure electric driving range following the WLTP cycle. The battery is charged via an AC input, with a full charge taking one hour and 55 minutes at 7.4 kW. In Thailand, the 408 is a fully-imported (CBU) model priced at 2.79 million baht (RM371,429).

Moving on to the e-2008, the fully electric crossover was previewed at this year’s Malaysia Autoshow and is expected to be launched in the middle of 2024. The electric vehicle (EV) will join the petrol-powered 2008 that was launched in Malaysia last January and is currently priced at RM134,103 on-the-road without insurance.

In terms of specifications, the e-2008’s lithium-ion battery with a gross energy capacity of 50 kWh (46.2 kWh net) offers a WLTP-rated range of 320 km. Power goes to a front-mounted electric motor rated at 136 PS and 260 Nm, while charging is accomplished either via a max AC input of 11 kW (a full charge takes 4.5 hours) or a peak DC input of 100 kW (0-80% state of charge in 30 minutes).

Last but not least, there’s the Landtrek, which is a pick-up truck that went on sale here as CBU product in March 2023. Currently offered in a single single 1.9D Allure variant priced at RM120,072, the double-cab Landtrek is based on the Changan Kaicene F70 available in China. For the CKD version, Gonzalez said the Landtrek will receive an upgraded suspension but did not disclose further details.

He did however say Stellantis has big plans for the ASEAN region and its sizeable investments in Malaysia could create opportunities worth up to RM5 billion for local businesses. “We have set up our regional headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to better run operations as ‘remote control’ from somewhere else doesn’t work. If you want to grow in the region, we need to localise production and run things from location,” Gonzalez said.

“We need to be here with local talents and we are on a recruitment spree. I have been having conversations with the government and other entities about future business. Stellantis will be here for the long run and not an in-and-out thing. We want to fully utilise our Gurun plant,” he added.

Said Gurun plant was previously owned by Naza Automotive Manufacturing before it was fully acquired by Stellantis in 2021. In addition to Malaysia, the 2008, 3008 and 5008 currently produced there are also exported to nearby markets such as the Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia.

Gonzalez stated there is roadmap in place that could turn Malaysia into Stellantis’ hub for electrified vehicles in the ASEAN region, with other plans being battery production as well as a regional training academy. Partnerships with local companies are also possible for charging infrastructure, battery technology, software development and transportation services.

The company, which was formed through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Groupe PSA, is also considering introducing the STLA platform that comes in four variations, namely Small, Medium and Large for passenger vehicles, while Frame is for body-on-frame-type vehicles.

The versatile and modular STLA Medium platform can accommodate internal combustion engines, hybrid systems, plug-in hybrid systems and all-electric drivetrains, while also being scalable for C- and D-segment vehicles. The STLA Small platform is geared more towards B- and C-segment cars, while STLA Large, as it names suggests, is for D- to F-segment vehicles.

While Stellantis is committed to electrification with the STLA platform, Gonzalez said the company will look to provide powertrains that best suit markets in the region. In the short term, he said the goal is to offer cars tailored to M40 and T20 buyers, which cars built on the STLA Medium platform are suited for.

While there’s plenty of talk about Peugeot, Stellantis actually has no less than 14 brands in its portfolio, with others being Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Ram and Vauxhall.

From that list, a few such as Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Jeep should be familiar to Malaysians, and Gonzalez does see some of them arriving or making a comeback here. “We have a beautiful menu of cars that you will like. Personally, I see Jeep or Citroen arriving. I certainly get a lot of requests for Alfa Romeo wherever I go. I have also gotten some comments on Fiat,” said Gonzalez.

“And there is also the possibility of Ram, our main pick-up truck brand. In the Asean region, we have nine out of our 14 brands. In the future, our focus will be on the localised production. But there will be space for niche segments. When we opened our Alfa Romeo showroom in Singapore two months ago, more than half of the guests were from Malaysia and they asked me when Malaysia will be getting Alfa Romeo cars,” he continued.

In 2024, Stellantis will have six localised products (all being Peugeots) in Malaysia, so which of the three new ones (408, e-2008, Landtrek) are your looking forward to the most? Also, what other brands from the Stellantis portfolio are you hoping comes to our market?

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2023 Peugeot 408 fastback spotted testing in Malaysia

In Cars, Peugeot, Spyshots / By Paul Tan / 5 July 2023 2:28 pm / 9 comments

The 2023 Peugeot 408 with its edgy concept car like design has been sighted on test in Malaysia by Instagram user @jw0n. What started off as a conservatively-styled C-segment sedan has now transformed into this C-segment fastback crossover you see here.

No word from Peugeot’s Malaysian distributor of the 408 will make its way to Malaysian showrooms, so this unit most probably belongs to Peugeot’s parent company Stellantis, who took over Naza’s Gurun plant. The plant’s existence has resulted in all kinds of Stellantis cars being sighted on our roads, but none of them actually go on sale. Will it be the same for the 408? We don’t really know for now.

The 2023 Peugeot 408 is sold in Thailand as a plug-in hybrid, retailing for 2,790,000 baht, which at today’s exchange rate converts to an eye-watering RM371k. The plug-in hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.6 litre turbo engine with 180 PS and 250 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm, and an electric motor delivering 110 PS and 320 Nm, juiced by a 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery located under the boot floor. Total output is 225 PS and 360 Nm, delivered via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 408’s PHEV system is capable of 63 km pure electric range on the WLTP cycle. Charging it up with 7.4 kW AC power takes one hour and 55 minutes.

At 4,687 mm long and 1,848 mm wide, this lion is 64 mm longer and just 7 mm less wide than the Honda CR-V, so it’s a sizeable car. The wheelbase is a long 2,787 mm.

Do you think there’s a market for the Peugeot 408 fastback here in Malaysia? Or would it overlap too much with the Peugeot 3008?

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Bangkok 2023: Peugeot 408 is now an unrecognisable fastback crossover – 225 PS, 360 Nm PHEV; RM360k

In Cars, International News, Peugeot / By Danny Tan / 22 March 2023 9:40 pm / 16 comments

This Peugeot might look like a concept car, but it’s now on sale in Thailand. It’s the all-new Peugeot 408, which is now an unrecognisable fastback crossover. Name sounds familiar? The previous 408 was a conservatively-styled C-segment sedan that was once CKD locally assembled in Kulim. It’s a rare sight, probably harder to spot than Lamborghinis.

Anyway, this new 408 made its debut in June 2022 and wears Peugeot’s new lion head badge proudly on all four sides. There’s no shortage of surfacing and detailing here, which is typical of the flamboyant French brand. If you stare at those 20-inch wheels long enough, you might get hypnotised – I can’t even describe the design. Do u see a ‘Z’ or is it just me? The dashboard is a super sharp rendition of Peugeot’s signature i-Cockpit.

The 408 rides on the Stellantis’ EMP2 platform that also underpins the 308, 508 and Citroen C5 X; the latter is also now a crossover. At 4,687 mm long and 1,848 mm wide, this lion is 64 mm longer and just 7 mm less wide than the Honda CR-V, so it’s a sizeable car. The wheelbase is a long 2,787 mm.

In Thailand, the 408 is available as a plug-in hybrid. The powertrain consists of a 1.6 litre turbo engine with 180 PS and 250 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm, and an electric motor delivering 110 PS and 320 Nm, juiced by a 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery located under the boot floor. Total output is 225 PS and 360 Nm, delivered via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

This PHEV system is capable of 63 km pure electric range on the WLTP cycle. Charging it up with 7.4 kW AC power takes one hour and 55 minutes. PureTech 130 (1.2L, 130 PS, 230 Nm) and Hybrid 180 (1.6L PHEV, 180 PS, 360 Nm) powertrain options are available in other markets.

The Peugeot 408 retails for 2,790,000 baht here, which is equivalent to RM361,478. Like the old 408 in Malaysia, this unique beast might also be as rare as the rarest Lambo in Thailand. Price aside, what do you think of the new Peugeot 408 and its unusual format?

GALLERY: Peugeot 408 at BIMS 2023

GALLERY: Peugeot 408 official images

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2023 Peugeot 408 debuts – now a fastback crossover; petrol, PHEV only; Level 2 semi-autonomous driving

In Cars, International News, Peugeot / By Gerard Lye / 22 June 2022 4:19 pm / 13 comments

Peugeot has presented the all-new 408, which it says is “unexpected from every angle.” That’s certainly a good way to put it, as unlike past iterations of the C-segment that were sedans, the third-generation 408 takes the form of a fastback crossover.

Set to go on sale in 2023, the high-riding 408 rides on an updated version of the EMP2 platform that is also used by the current 308, 508 as well as the Citroen C5 X. The fastback silhouette is accompanied by a design that doesn’t skimp on sharp lines and creases, resulting in a very dynamic and aggressive shape.

Key cues include a long bonnet that is set between raised wings that are characteristic of the latest Peugeot models. This also applies to the prominent grille that is finished in a way that is blends into the front bumper, with vertical dashed lines making up the insert.

Flanking the grille are slim headlamps with matrix LED technology and fang-shaped LED daytime running lights, the latter being any hallmark of recent Peugeot models. Other elements at the front include a trapezoidal-shaped lower intake, the latest Peugeot logo and the 408 script just ahead of the creased bonnet shut line.

The transformation into a crossover also brings with it black body cladding that wraps around the lower portion of the vehicle, with the sides sporting sculpted components that complement even more bold lines. Even the window line is visually distinctive, rising slightly above the fuel door and extending further rearwards to the base of the heavily raked C-pillar.

Moving to the rear, we find a small lip on the tailgate to accentuate the fastback look, joined by a modern interpretation of the brand’s familiar three-claw LED taillights that are linked by a trim piece running through the Peugeot logo. The rear bumper is also made to look more stylistic in keeping with the “look at me” design approach.

The final product measures 4,687 mm long, which is shorter than the previous 408 sedan that spanned 4,750 mm. Even so, the fastback crossover has a superior wheelbase of 2,787 mm compared to its predecessor’s 2,730 mm, while also being wider at 1,848 mm (+28 mm) and having a lower height of 1,478 (-10 mm) for a more pleasing stance.

Inside, the 408 follows in its recent siblings’ footsteps by adopting the Peugeot i-Cockpit, with features being a compact steering wheel and a high-mounted digital instrument cluster. The latter sits just beside the also high-mounted air vents, with a large 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system dominating the centre stack.

The infotainment system comes with fully configurable i-toggles, which are essentially shortcuts that drivers can set to access their most used functions (AC, media, telephony, etc.). Peugeot also opted against squeezing every single vehicle function into the touchscreen, as there are a row of physical controls located just beneath the i-toggles.

Like the 308, one side of centre console is deliberately open towards the passenger, with the other being raised to bring the switches for the gear selector and drive modes closer to the driver. In the same area, you’ll also find a wireless phone charger, USB ports and two cupholders.

The carmaker also notes that rear space is particularly generous because of the long wheelbase, with rear passengers benefitting from 188 mm of knee room. The bench can be folded down in a 60:40 split and there’s also a ski hatch into the boot that offers 536 litres of space, or 1,611 litres when in cargo mode (including 36 litres under the boot floor for the internal combustion engine version).

In terms of available equipment, the 408 can be specified with wheels sized between 17 and 20 inches, different levels of the i-Connect infotainment system, various upholsteries and trims depending on the chosen grade, an eight-colour ambient lighting system, a powered tailgate with hands-free function, a Focal Premium Hi-Fi sound system, a sunroof and keyless entry and start, among other things.

As for driving aids, six cameras and nine radars fitted to the vehicle allow for functions such as adaptive cruise control with stop and go, automatic emergency braking, active lane departure warning and prevention, driver attention alert, road sign recognition, a night vision system, long-range blind spot monitoring (up to 75 metres), rear traffic alert, a 360-degree camera and automatic high beam.

There’s also Drive Assist 2.0 for those who need semi-autonomous driving functions, although this will only be offered later. It adds two new functions that can be used on dual carriageways, including semi-automatic lane change and anticipated speed recommendation.

Finally, powertrains. At launch, the 408 will be offered with a sole petrol option and two plug-in hybrids. This is reminiscent of the C5 X, including the absence of any diesels. The petrol variant is dubbed the PureTech 130 S&S EAT8 and features a 1.2 litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit that serves up 130 PS (129 hp) at 5,500 rpm and 230 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. This drives the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, although Peugeot did not disclose performance or efficiency figures.

Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrids feature a PureTech 1.6 litre turbo four-cylinder and an electric motor integrated into an eight-speed automatic. While the e-motor is rated at the same 110 PS (109 hp or 81 kW) and 320 Nm, it is the output of the engine that differentiates the two options.

In the Hybrid 180 e-EAT8, the mill makes 150 PS (148 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 250 Nm at 1,750 rpm for a total system output of 180 PS (178 hp). The step up is the Hybrid 225 e-EAT8, and its engine makes 180 PS (177 hp) and the same amount of torque for a cumulative output of 225 PS (221 hp) – both PHEVs serve up the same 360 Nm.

Once again, there are no performance or fuel consumption figures for the PHEVs (yet), which have a smaller fuel tank capacity of 40 litres compared to the ICE version’s 52 litres. The PHEVs are also heavier, with the most powerful variant having a kerb weight of 1,706 kg compared to 1,393 kg.

This is mainly because of the electrical components needed, including the 12.4-kWh lithium-ion battery that sits under the boot floor. We don’t have final homologated range figures for now, but the carmaker says the PHEV versions of the 408 will come with standard with an onboard AC charger (Type 2 connection) that supports up to 3.7 kW.

With a charger (14 amps) capable of that power output, a full charge will take about three hours 55 minutes, or seven hours five minutes with a domestic power socket (eight amps). Customers can upgrade to a 7.4-kW onboard charger for a cost, which significantly reduces the charging time to one hour 40 minutes with a compatible wallbox (32 amps).

While it may be known as the 408 in most markets, the fastback crossover will be called the 408X in China. This is because China has its own 408, which was revealed on June 8 and is essentially a heavily revised version of the second-generation model with updated styling clearly inspired by the current 308.

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