Peugeot revealed its very first fully electric 408 on October 2. A bet for the Lion brand which seeks to relaunch the career of a model who is having difficulty finding her clientele.
Peugeot is continuing the electrification of its range. After the 208 and the 308, and while waiting for the 508 next year, the 408 is also going electric. The 2010 sedan, which over time became a crossover, was finally unveiled on October 2, 2024, two weeks before taking its first crowd bath during the 2024 Paris Motor Show (October 14-20). Finally, because the electric version of the coupe SUV was announced at the beginning of summer 2022 during the launch of the gasoline, micro-hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.
For the Sochaux manufacturer, the release of the trendy 408, visually identical to the other versions released almost two years ago, poses a certain challenge. Half sedan, half SUV, the 408 is struggling to find its target on the market as evidenced by its disappointing sales – barely more than 20,000 in Europe last year. Could this new electric version, announced with 453 kilometers of autonomy, give a boost to his career? While waiting to find out, here is everything you need to know about the very first Peugeot e-408.
What information do you need to know about the new Peugeot e-408?
Apart from its full electrification, the Peugeot e-408 differs in no way (or almost) from the thermal and hybrid versions that have been on the market for almost two years. The opportunity to review the main characteristics of the SUV coupe which is struggling to find its place between the 308 city sedan and the large 508 sedan.
- The electric version of the SUV coupe is similar to the thermal and hybrid variants unveiled in 2022. Nothing new in terms of its dimensions, the e-408 guard has not changed: 4.69m in length, 1.47m in width, 1 .85m high and a long wheelbase of 2.79m. Note that five colors are available in its catalog: Okénite White, Obsession Blue, Selenium Gray, Elixir Red and Perla Nera Black.
- The crossover retains the fastback silhouette that characterizes it, with its very inclined rear window. As it keeps the codes of 2022, the electrified 408 does not have the new light signature of the Lion brand. It still displays at the front the luminous fang which descends on each side of the shield and at the rear the three lights arranged at an angle in the optical unit.
- Inside, the e-408 does not benefit from the latest new features either, and in particular the Peugeot panoramic i-cockpit embedded in recently restyled or renewed models. The head-up instrument panel in line with the driver’s gaze brings together the driving information behind the small, compact steering wheel dear to the manufacturer. The 10-inch 3D touch screen remains in the center of the dashboard and still accommodates the i-toogles, these customizable touch buttons which provide access to the main functions of the vehicle (air conditioning/heating, Navigation, Media, Mirror screen …).
- The crossover’s navigation system includes a “trip planner” function which, according to the manufacturer, allows “trips to be planned optimally in order to maximize the car’s range and facilitate recharging.” It is also useful “to calculate the ideal route” when “the system takes into account a lot of information, including the distance to be covered, the battery charge level at departure, the desired battery charge level at the arrival, speed, energy consumption, traffic, type of road, elevation and of course the charging stations available at the destination.”
- The new thing is to look for it on the infotainment side with the integration of ChatGPT in the Peugeot i-cockpit of the 408 (effective since February). No need for interaction with the touch screen, the driver (and passengers) can question the artificial intelligence at any time without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the steering wheel.
The engines of the Peugeot e-408
As its name suggests, the Peugeot e-408 is therefore the 100% electric version of the new generation of the crossover from the Lion brand marketed since the beginning of 2023. The SUV coupe can now carry an electric motor with more than correct 210 horsepower associated with a battery with a capacity of 58.2 kWh. The manufacturer announces a range of up to 453 kilometers in the WLTP cycle with an average consumption of 15.2 kWh per 100 kilometers, a bit more than the 308 connected (413km).
Like the all-new 3008 and 5008 “Long Range”, the 408 could then receive a larger battery – we are talking about 86 kWh – which would allow it to drive 600 kilometers on a single charge. In terms of charging time, Peugeot indicates that the battery of its SUV coupe will be able to go from 20 to 80% in a little over 30 minutes once connected to a fast charging station delivering direct current (the e-408 accepts a power up to 120 kW). Which is within the standards of current electric vehicles.
When will the Peugeot e-408 be released?
After revealing the e-408 on October 2 – which will occupy a pride of place on the brand’s stand during the Paris Motor Show (October 14-20, 2024) – Peugeot immediately opened orders but the first deliveries to customers are not normally expected before 2025.
What will the price of the new Peugeot e-408 be?
The French manufacturer has not yet lifted the veil on the prices of the Peugeot e-408 but it is rumored that its starting price should be around that of the entry-level plug-in hybrid version, i.e. around 45 , 46,000 euros. By remaining below 47,000 euros, the electric 408 could benefit from the ecological bonus, set at 4,000 euros in 2024 but the terms of which for next year are not yet known.