Regarding the 408 product line, the earliest Peugeot responded to the needs of the Chinese market. In 2010, it launched the 308 long-axis sedan version that was only sold domestically. However, this time the 408 released by the French car manufacturer in Europe is a completely different product from the former. Although the front of the car looks quite similar to the new-generation Chinese-spec 408 that Dongfeng Peugeot released previously, the European-spec 408, which debuted in Europe, adopts the popular crossover coupe SUV style and is equipped with a chassis. It is also the latest EMP2 platform in the group, and also provides two different PHEV petrol-electric hybrid . The new car is expected to be officially launched in early 2023.
Compared with traditional sedans such as the 408 sold in China, the European-standard 408 body that debuted in Europe is more similar to the crossover shape adopted by the new generation Toyota Crown. Not only is the ground clearance higher than that of traditional cars, but the rear It combines the design of a Coupe SUV and looks quite like an elevated version of the Shooting Brake.
Although the body design and chassis of the new car launched in the European market are completely different from the Dongfeng Peugeot 408, and even the car length and wheelbase are slightly smaller than the latter, the relationship with the 308 car series is exactly the same, because the European 408 The 4,687×1,859×1,478mm is almost the same as the 308 SW, and the chassis is also the latest EMP2 architecture, but the positioning will be higher and more luxurious than the 308 SW.
Since it shares the chassis structure with the new generation 308, it is not surprising that the interior layout of the European standard 408 is almost exactly the same as the former, using Peugeot's latest generation i-Cockpit cockpit. The configuration of the 10-inch LCD instrument panel and the 10-inch central control screen is not large enough by the standards currently spoiled by electric vehicles, but the entire interior looks as avant-garde as a concept car with its unique French aesthetics; The crossover style of the appearance brings the new car's outstanding space functionality. In the standard state, the luggage compartment has a capacity of 536L, which can be expanded to 1,611L after the rear seats are folded down. With the addition of Fastback tail The way the door opens is very convenient for placing or taking large items.
However, for the PHEV model, because the battery module is placed behind the rear of the car, the space function of the luggage compartment is slightly reduced, only 471L and 1,545L, but to be fair, it is still quite practical. Peugeot currently offers two PHEV models with 180 horsepower and 225 horsepower for consumers to choose from. In terms of pure internal combustion engines, it only has a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder single power setting with a maximum horsepower of 130. The three power models are all matched with EAT 8-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive architecture.
However, the European standard 408 will not only have these three power configurations, and pure electric models will also be added later to seize the zero-emission market. Peugeot currently states that the new car will be manufactured at the Mulhouse factory in France and will start delivering new cars in Europe in early 2023. The focus is that the European standard 408 will also be produced at the Chengdu factory in the future. It is reasonable to speculate that a higher and more prestigious new car name will be chosen to correspond to the European standard 408. For a more luxurious product positioning, what do you think it would be called?
