PEUGEOT has just launched what could be its boldest statement of intent in recent years. The new PEUGEOT 408 has arrived to shake up the C segment and prove that French style, when taken seriously, has no rival. Designed to impress from the very first second, this model reaffirms with full conviction that Mulhouse continues to be synonymous with automotive excellence.
Since its initial launch, the PEUGEOT 408 has established itself as one of the brand’s strongest statements in terms of design. Its fastback silhouette introduced a new body concept to the market that managed to balance dynamism, driving pleasure, and everyday comfort. Today, the new generation elevates that legacy to an even more ambitious level.
The visual impact begins immediately at the front of the car. The iconic lighting signature of PEUGEOT has been completely reinvented, with three thin inclined LED strips extending across the entire width of the vehicle through an elegant LED line, positioned above the illuminated central emblem on the GT versions. It is a solution that transforms the front end into a true luminous business card. But it is at the rear that the new PEUGEOT 408 makes history: this is the first model in the range to feature the illuminated “PEUGEOT” inscription, perfectly integrated into a bright strip that runs across the entire width of the vehicle. At both ends, the new models showcase the premium luminous signature with three inclined LED claws, a detail that no direct competitor can match.
To ensure that nothing disturbed the intensity of the front look, the designers positioned the headlights lower in the bumper, away from the daytime running lights. Their presence is deliberately discreet, composed of two ultra-thin overlapping modules. When turned off, these modules are practically invisible thanks to their integration into a glossy black insert. The available technology ranges from FULL LED in the Allure version to Matrix LED in the GT version. Even the proximity radar has been hidden behind the PEUGEOT emblem, completely invisible from the outside, without compromising a millimeter of safety.
The grille and bumper have been completely redesigned. A sophisticated 3D sculpture and a greater use of black, combining glossy and matte finishes, result in an eye-catching elegance. The lower bumper adopts a trapezoidal shape that further reinforces the car’s strong stance and character, with color transitions that blend glossy black elements with body-colored parts for a flawless visual result.
The wheels tell the same story of innovation. The Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid versions are available with exclusive 19-inch Adakite wheels, featuring geometric shapes that contrast with the circular form of the rim and surfaces enhanced with diamond cuts. These wheels are standard on the GT versions with hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines, while they are optional on the Hybrid Allure versions, which now feature standard 17-inch glossy black alloy wheels.
The big color novelty is called Flare Green. An exclusive color debuting on this model that is simply impossible to ignore. Bold and sophisticated at the same time, it offers spectacular variations in hue depending on light exposure: it shifts to a bright yellow in the sun and plunges into a deep green in the shade. This unique effect enhances the highly sculpted body of the PEUGEOT 408, with its numerous surface variations and dynamic volumes.
The interior is no less impressive. The renewed PEUGEOT i-Cockpit maintains the driver-centered philosophy with a compact steering wheel that enhances the dynamic feel and agility. The 10-inch digital instrument panel is positioned within the driver’s line of sight, featuring customizable graphics and various display modes. The central 10-inch touchscreen is slightly tilted towards the driver for easier access. The five i-Toggles are customizable tactile shortcuts that allow quick access to favorite settings, from navigation to phone contacts and preferred radio stations. Eight ambient lighting colors, extending from the instrument panel to the door panels, create a soft and elegant atmosphere that can be tailored to individual tastes.
In terms of powertrains, PEUGEOT has played all its cards. The new 100% electric PEUGEOT E-408 comes with a motor that develops 213 hp and 343 Nm of torque. The aerodynamics have been meticulously optimized, both in the body and underneath the vehicle, resulting in a drag coefficient of just 0.66 SCx, which directly contributes to a consumption of only 14.7 kWh per 100 kilometers. Combined with a high-voltage NMC battery with a usable capacity of 58.2 kWh, the range reaches 456 km in the combined WLTP cycle. The onboard charger supports up to 120 kW, allowing the battery to be charged from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
For those who prefer a hybrid plug-in solution, the PEUGEOT 408 PLUG-IN HYBRID 240 hp e-DCS7 combines a 180 hp gasoline engine with a 92 kW electric motor, paired with a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission. The urban electric range of 85 kilometers in 100% electric mode makes it ideal for daily use, while the combined 240 hp ensures versatility for longer trips. The 14.6 kWh battery can be fully recharged in 2 hours and 5 minutes with a 7.4 kW Wallbox. The third engine option is the PEUGEOT 408 HYBRID 145 hp e-DCS6, which combines a 145 hp gasoline engine with an electrified automatic dual-clutch transmission with 6 speeds, consuming 5.0 l/100 km in the combined WLTP cycle, and can operate in 100% electric mode for up to 50% of the time in urban environments.
The comfort of the occupants has been addressed with the same rigor. The front seats have received AGR certification, awarded by an independent German association of ergonomics and back health experts. Options include 10-position electric adjustment with memory for the driver, a pneumatic massage system with 8 bags and 8 different programs, and heated cushions. The wheelbase of 2.79 meters ensures 183 millimeters of knee space in the rear seats, making the new PEUGEOT 408 the most spacious model in the brand for rear occupants. The trunk offers up to 536 liters of volume, which increases to 1,611 liters with the rear seat folded down, accommodating items up to 1.89 meters in length.
The Premium Hi-Fi FOCAL sound system results from over three years of joint development and includes 10 high-tech speakers, inverted dome aluminum TNF tweeters, four 165 mm Polyglass woofers, a Polyglass center channel, a triple coil Power Flower subwoofer, and a new 12-channel Class D amplifier with 690 W. The AQS system continuously monitors air quality, while the Clean Cabin adds a pollutant and particle filtration system. A driver monitoring camera installed in the windshield pillar watches for alertness and issues visual and auditory alerts in case of detected fatigue.
In terms of connectivity, the Allure version is equipped with PEUGEOT i-Connect with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the GT version includes i-Connect Advanced with TomTom Connected navigation, integration with ChatGPT AI, and vehicle geolocation. The new PEUGEOT E-408 debuts features such as battery pre-conditioning, which brings it to an ideal temperature before charging, Plug & Charge, which eliminates the need for a card or app at over 15,000 charging points in Europe, and Vehicle-to-Load, which allows external devices to be powered with up to 3.5 kW directly from the high-voltage battery. Over-the-air updates ensure that the vehicle remains up to date without the need to visit a dealership.
The new PEUGEOT 408 is produced at the Mulhouse factory in France. The electric propulsion system of the E-408 is manufactured in Trémery, by the joint venture STELLANTIS-NIDEC, and the transmission is produced in Valenciennes by STELLANTIS. All electric passenger vehicles from PEUGEOT benefit from the PEUGEOT CARE program, which includes a warranty for the vehicle and the battery for up to 8 years or 160,000 kilometers. The brand, a leader in the national automotive market for the fifth consecutive year, is present in over 140 countries and sold approximately 1.1 million vehicles worldwide in 2024.
The new PEUGEOT 408 is not just a renewed car. It is an unequivocal statement that PEUGEOT is not afraid to surprise, and that French style, when combined with the most advanced technology, can definitely redefine what is expected from a car in the C segment.
