Peugeot 408 Hybrid 2023: Q3 Sportback rival set for Australian release soon

Peugeot has unveiled a high-riding, coupe-SUV to its range badged 408 – and an Australian release has been confirmed….. though exactly when is still unknown.

Sharing its Stellantis EMP2 platform with the similarly-proportioned Citroen C4 – which was deemed good enough to join Chasing Cars’ first car of the year testing program – the Peugeot 408 adopts a sedan-like profile with the raised ride height preferred by many buyers.

With Peugeot seeking to pitch its cars towards the premium segments and price brackets in Australia, the 408 will compete for sales against the likes of the Audi Q5 Sportback and BMW X4.

Measuring in at a long 4.69m, the 408 is considerably bigger than a Mazda CX-5 (4.55m) and instead approaches the size of a Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe (4.74m). The Peugeot’s considerable size translates to a 525 litre boot – significantly larger than the C4’s 380 litre space.

408 to feature petrol power or two hybrid engines

While it’s not yet known which engine options will come to Australia, in Europe, Peugeot will sell the 408 with a choice of a traditional petrol engine and two hybrids – while a fully-electric e-408 will follow later.

A 1.2-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder making 96kW of power and 230Nm of torque – shared with the upcoming Peugeot 308 small car – will serve as the base engine. All petrol and hybrid versions utilise an eight-speed automatic and send power to the front wheels.

Peugeot will offer its Hybrid 180 and 225 systems in the 408, with both consisting of a larger 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine paired to a single electric motor.

Both use a plug-in hybrid-style system, with the Hybrid 180 making 133kW/360Nm and the Hybrid 225 a slightly more powerful 165kW/360Nm.  An official pure-electric driving range is yet to be quoted but both systems should provide a range of at least 60km. 

Once flat, drivers can recharge the 12.5kWh battery using an AC charger at speeds of up to 7.4kW at home using a pre-installed wallbox or at a public charger.

Latest-gen Peugeot interior design, more safety tech

Peugeot has fitted the 408 with its latest generation interior design, which features a centre touchscreen (of unspecified size) accompanied by a lower screen that creates digital hot keys based on the users’ habits, similar to the setup used by Audi. 

An additional digital driver’s display sits in front of the driver and the classic low-slung steering wheel setup, well-known to Peugeot buyers, remains in this new model.

A total of six cameras and nine radars have been fitted around the 408 to aid technology such as the adaptive cruise control, a night vision functionality, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring.

While an official on-sale date for Australia is not yet known, it’s likely the 408 will go on sale in the middle of next year following its European launch.