New Peugeot 408 looks like a baby Lambo Urus

Peugeot has joined the growing ranks of manufacturers offering coupe-style SUVs and crossovers with its new 2023 Peugeot 408, an all-new mid-size fastback SUV destined to arrive Down Under sometime next year.

We can’t be any more specific than that as Peugeot Cars Australia (PCA) is still working to lock in a concrete local ETA; European markets will have access to the segment newcomer early in the first quarter of next year.

“We are currently working closely with the factory on launch timings for our market and look forward to sharing more information in due course,” PCA manager director Kate Gillis said.

Measuring 4690mm long, 2790mm between the axles and riding on 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, the new Peugeot 408 will be something of an outsider within the wagon-dominated mainstream medium SUV segment.

Although there are plenty of coupe-style mid-size luxury SUVs like the Audi Q5 Sportback, BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe (and mainstream small SUV-coupes like the Renault Arkana), so far the only other fastback player confirmed for the mainstream medium SUV class is the upcoming Haval H6 GT.

Standing 1480mm tall, the 408’s sloping roofline hasn’t had a drastic impact on boot space, offering up a class-competitive 506 litres of cargo space behind the second row and up to 1611L when said row is folded flat.

Beyond the sporty silhouette, however, the star of the Peugeot 408’s bold look is undoubtedly the flush-sitting colour-matched grille and aero-styled wheels.

Anyone getting an electrified vibe off the styling is on the money because according to Peugeot, the global 408 range will include two plug-in hybrids, one petrol engine and even a battery-electric powertrain.

While none of the powerplants are yet to be extensively detailed, a quick look at the wider PCA portfolio would suggest the PHEVs will an evolution of the turbocharged 1.6-litre set-up currently residing under the bonnet of the Peugeot 508 GT and 3008 GT Sport.

In the 408’s case, the system will develop 134-168kW depending on the application, while the solitary petrol offering will be the familiar force-fed 1.2-litre triple, good in this application for 97kW.

All three units will be paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

PCA says efficiency was a key priority right from the outset when developing and designing the 408, hence its slippery fastback design and relatively light 1396kg base weight. The PHEVs and EV version will be considerably heavier.

Standard equipment highlights include the latest version of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit digital instrument cluster, along with a heap of advanced driver aids including adaptive cruise control, night vision, long-range blind spot monitoring (75 metres) and rear cross traffic alert.

The rest of the 408’s standard kit list will be finalised over the coming months in the lead-up to its global launch.

Peugeot’s global CEO Linda Jackson said the 408 “is the perfect expression” of the brand's “philosophy and inventiveness”.

“Unexpected from every angle, the new PEUGEOT 408 has been designed for lovers of cars and of life, who want to break free from the traditional while seeking responsible pleasure,” she said.

“It embodies Peugeot’s exacting technological standards – controlled efficiency and a very high-level digital experience – as well as the intense emotions of instinctive driving pleasure.”

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