Peugeot launches the beautiful 408, but with extremely controversial rims

After many teasers, appearances and rumours, Peugeot has finally presented the new 408. But hasn’t it already done so the other day with a sedan? Yes, there are now two Peugeot 408s: a China-exclusive midsize sedan and a coupe SUV that will be sold in the world’s most populous country and also in Europe. But this second promises to be controversial.

Despite its beautiful body, the new Peugeot 408 decided to escape common sense in wheel design. Some say it looks like the design of an original wheel, but blurry and others point out the resemblance to a blender blade. The good news is that the wheels can be swapped.

And that’s good, because the new Peugeot 408 is a beautiful car. The SUV coupé style follows the same school as the new Citroën C4: a low car, with a sloping roof, a muscular look and lots of black plastic in the underbody to give it a more robust appearance. High suspension also follows in this game.

The front catches the eye with the V-shaped grille with body-colored dots that give the feeling of a waterfall. The headlights are slim and feature two LED clusters, which are accompanied by a dandelion-shaped daytime running LED. The side has vertical creases curving the body and giving muscle to the Peugeot 408.

A discreet spoiler on the rear window is reminiscent of the Volvo C40, while the rear with a well-sloped window and a small bump on the trunk lid is in the style of 1990s hatchbacks. while the domed bumper simulates air extractors.

The cabin is luxurious and very modern. The steering wheel is the same as the 208, but with the new logo. Up top, the digital instrument cluster visually integrates with air vents and a gray trim. But the strong point goes to the multimedia center which comes with a second screen with quick controls and customizable shortcuts.

large hybrid

The high center console and the seats with pronounced side flaps give the Peugeot 408 a sporty tone. And with a wheelbase of 2.78 m, it is one of the brand’s most spacious cars. The real thing is that it’s even longer than the seven-seater 5008 SUV: the 408 is 4.68m long, 1.85m wide and 1.47m high.

Built on the same platform as the 308 and 3008, the Peugeot 408 has the same engines as its sisters. The entry-level version uses a 120 hp 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder turbo. For those who want more power, the 1.6 THP is offered in hybrid variants with a combined total output of 180 hp or 225 hp.

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