Mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric
The Peugeot 308 received a facelift last year, and naturally, the derived Peugeot 408 couldn’t be far behind. This is the updated Peugeot 408. It’s immediately available as an electric e-408, while the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants will continue to exist.
Just over a year after Peugeot unveiled the current generation 308 in 2021, the brand expanded its delivery range with the 408, derived from that model. The 308 was updated in August last year, and fortunately for the Peugeot 408, it doesn’t have to wait a year for its appointment on the French operating tables. During the Brussels Motor Show, Peugeot is already unveiling the updated crossover.
From the front, the Peugeot 408 was already barely distinguishable from the 308, so it’s not surprising that the updated version gets the same front end as the facelifted 308. This means that the vertical LED extensions have disappeared and it now also has a front with split lighting. The LED daytime running lights, composed of three diagonal lines, are positioned high in the front, with the actual headlights located just below. These are optically hidden in a black part of the bumper that is meant to serve as a cooling opening, but isn’t. Also new is the way the grille is filled. The whole consists of a colorful collection of diagonal elements. In the GT and GT Exclusive versions, the Peugeot logo centrally located in the grille is illuminated. High in the front – between the largest light units – we find more LED infill.
The visual updates at the rear are more modest. Here, the Peugeot logo that previously sat between the taillights has been replaced by the written-out brand name. This is, of course, also illuminated. Interestingly, the updated 408 is the first Peugeot to feature something like this on its rear. As is almost mandatory with a facelift, the 408 also gets new wheel and color options.
Electric Peugeot e-408
During its facelift, the electric e-308 swapped its old battery for a larger one with a capacity of 58.2 kWh. The Peugeot e-408 already had that battery and retains it. The electric motor gains three horsepower and now delivers 213 hp and 343 Nm. This combination is good for a maximum range of 456 kilometers. A small gain has been achieved there; previously, the e-408 went up to 453 kilometers. Fast charging is still possible at a maximum of 120 kW.
Peugeot 408: Mild hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid
The Peugeot 408 will also remain available with petrol engines. There is a mild-hybrid Peugeot 408 Hybrid 145 e-DCS6 which essentially gives everything away with its name. This 145 hp variant has a 1.2 three-cylinder petrol engine and the well-known six-speed automatic transmission with an electric motor and dual clutch. The technology of the mild-hybrid 408 has not been tinkered with. However, the hardware of the plug-in hybrid 408 has.
The Peugeot 408 Plug-in Hybrid previously had 225 hp, but now delivers 240 hp, despite the power of the 1.6 petrol engine (180 hp) and electric motor (125 hp) not being increased. The 14.6 kWh (net) battery is unchanged and is good for an electric range of 85 kilometers.
Prices for the updated Peugeot 408 are not yet available.