Peugeot 408 launched

By Alborz Fallah | February 09th, 2010

French manufacturer Peugeot has taken the wraps of its anticipated 408 model in Beijing. Why Beijing and not Paris? Peugeot has done considerably well in China despite being there for only five years.

Last year was huge for Peugeot in China, selling over 410,000 vehicles – a massive 44% increase compared with its 2008 performance.

The company believes the new Peugeot DF 408 will give it the right kind of ammunition to increase its sales volumes in China by over 30% in 2010.

The 408 will be manufactured at the Wuhan plant in Hubei province in China with the first units expected to go on sale in the People’s Republic later this year. Peugeot Australia general manager / director Ken Thomas says although the 408 has not been officially confirmed for right-hand drive at this stage, he is confident that it will be in Australia in the not-too-distant future.

Earlier reports indicate the Peugeot 408 will be powered by two engines available across the range. a 1.6-liter 16V with 110 bhp and147 Nm as well as a 2.0-litre putting out 147 bhp and 200 Nm of torque.

As for the look and design, the 408 came to life as a collaboration between PSA Peugeot and the Chinese group DFM.

Some interesting features in the car include a fold-away 7-inch screen, Bluetooth support, USB connectivity, dashboard-mounted CD player with MP3 and WMA compatibility. It can also be optioned out with cruise control and bi-xenon headlights. Safety is also high on the agenda with the 408 available with 2 adaptive front airbags, 2 side airbags and 2 curtain airbags.

Golfschwein

Is this a sedan version of the 308? It looks like the 308 dash.
new golf

i love peugeots but not this. peugeots style isnt for all but this change to the style is boring and bland it might as well be a commodore or camry. as it is it looks like a cheap china rip off of a peugeot, but i guess thats the case. even the rear wheel arches are just totally wrong.
Sam

I though this car was a China only special – 308 hatch with a boot attached to it rather than the new 408?

Mal

I understood this was a Chinese special also. Besides, isn’t the 407 replacement supposed to be badged the 508? The new model is supposed to be larger (to fix the rear seat legroom issues in the current 407) and also serve to fill the gap left by the larger 6 series which will no longer be built.

Golfschwein

That sounds more like it. I remember reading about the 508 or 507 somewhere.

Baddass

Yes indeed the new model will be called the 508, and will replace both the 407 and 607 in one go. Which is a very good idea I think. And what’s more, the rumoured replacement for the Citroen C6 (one of my favourite cars) might be a crossover!

Dan

Nup, definitely not the 407 replacement.
Not a terrible looker (rear wheel arches aside), but press photography has a habit of doing that…
Howard

407 was looks much better..
Carl

Naaaa, There is definitely something wrong with this story coz this car looks like a step sideways rather than a step forward………definitely something wrong or Peugeot has lost the plot!!
David Jones

my god that is uglky what is with the scooter wheels? can’t be a 407 replacement
Steve-Poyza

It looks smaller than it should be. It looks smaller than the outgoing model!
Innova

This is the sedan version of 308. Not the 407 replacement
The upcoming Peugeot 508 will replace both 407 and 607.
The Real Car Fanatic

I wonder if it will have as many recalls as the 308 had last year.

sammo

how many times has the 308 been recalled?
shouldn’t expect much better from the 408 then if the current crop of shonky Chinese cars are anything to go by.

The Real Car Fanatic

twice in 2008 and four times in 2009, no single model of car has ever had two consecutive years of recalls, especially not six in total.

Mikey

From another motoring website: “…the 408 is based on the long-wheelbase platform of the small 308 Touring wagon…”

sammo

Should be ok to drive then given the longer wheelbase over the 308 hatch

nick

looks like a 406 from the back…
http://caradvice Onepoppa

The bloggers are right – this is a model for the Chinese market, a notchback 407, much like they do a notchback version of the citroen C4. I would guess it is doubtful for the Australian market, although we do like sedans a lot more than they do in Europe, and especially the UK where sedan Corollas, Lancers, and Civics are not even sold.
Shak

I understand that Peugeot is known for its quirky styling, and i really like their recent efforts, but this is just bloody wrong. The back looks like its squinting, and the front is way to happy and Mazda-ish.
mh2408

I hope this stays in China, and isn’t a replacement for the 407
James007

I wish people would actually read through the articles before they comment sometimes.

This IS NOT the replacement for the 407. The 407 will be replaced by the 508, which will also replace the 607. The 508 will replace both cars!

Given that Renault will introduce the Fluence sedan here, while there is a new Volkswagen Jetta and Ford Focus sedans to also come to Australia, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this here. The Peugeot 306 sedan sold well here and while we missed out on the 307 sedan, which I think was mainly a Chinese market model only, maybe Peugoet would like to get back into the small/meduim sedan market.

You would think they’d change the name to 308 though if given the nod for Australia.
gary

here is what I read, 408 and 307 will be available in chinese market together. There is a 307 sedan version for chinese, but it is not properly done so it looks terrible, basically like wielding a box into 307′s back. So even though some readers here don’t like the look of 408, it is still far better than 307 sedan.

and I can’t agree it is cheap china rip off, peugeot did 307 sedan/408, peugeot is driving this whole thing, and is making huge money. As long as car manufacturers have some money coming in to develop new things, I would say this 408 idea is a good thing.

one thing to add is labor is so cheap there, you can’t really feel the difference of maintaining a peugeot or a toyota.
vee

Peugeot has confirmed setting up their South East Asian base in Malaysia in partnership with the Malaysian Naza Group (currently one of the largest importers of cars into Malaysia and also Peugeot’s distributor in Malaysia).

The 408 is almost certain to be assembled in Malaysia in RHD form for regional distribution and it just might make it to Australia.

More here http://www.peugeot.com.my/index.php/local-news-releases/74-automobiles-peugeot-unveils-new-brand-identity-in-malaysia

Sorry guys. Had to break the bad news to you
Kim

Wow, that is one terrible looking car. The whole back end just looks wrong and not in proportion with the rest of the car! I hope that doesnt come here!
pirakavezok

Without a doubt, this model is a collaboration between Peugeot and its Chinese counterpart, DFM. Front end from Peugeot and back end from DFM. Perfect match.
Danali Motors

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