Bangkok 2023: The Peugeot 408 is now an unrecognizable fastback crossover – 225 PS, 360 Nm PHEV; RM360k
This Peugeot may look like a concept car, but it’s already on sale in Thailand. It’s brand new peugeot 408, which is now an unrecognizable fastback crossover. Name sounds familiar? 408 earlier is a conservatively styled C-segment sedan that was assembled domestically by CKD at Kulim. It’s a rare sight, perhaps harder to spot than Lamborghinis.
Anyway, this new 408 made its debut in June 2022 and wears Peugeot’s new lion head badge proud in all directions. There’s no shortage of surfaces and details here, which are typical of flashy French brands. If you stare at those 20-inch wheels long enough, you can get hypnotized – I can’t even describe the design. Do you see a ‘Z’ or is it just me? The dashboard is a super sharp rendition of Peugeot’s signature i-Cockpit.
408 runs on Stellantis’ EMP2 platform, which is also the foundation for 308, 508 and Citroen C5 X; the latter is now also a crossover. At 4,687 mm long and 1,848 mm wide, this lion is 64 mm longer and only 7 mm shorter than the Honda CR-V, so it’s a pretty big car. The wheelbase is 2,787 mm long.
In Thailand, the 408 is available as a plug-in hybrid. The powertrain consists of a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with 180 hp and 250 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm and an electric motor delivering 110 hp and 320 Nm of torque. Nm, powered by a 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack located under the trunk floor. Total power is 225 PS and 360 Nm, delivered via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
This PHEV system is capable of operating for a range of 63 km all-electric on the WLTP cycle. Charging the battery 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, equivalent to RM361,478. Like the old 408 in Malaysia, this unique beast may well be as rare as the rarest Lambo in Thailand. Pricing aside, what do you think of the new Peugeot 408 and its unusual format?
LIBRARY: Peugeot 408 at BIMS 2023
GALLERY: Official images of Peugeot 408
