Peugeot 408 PHEV Crossover Shows More Of Its Design Ahead Of June 22 Reveal

Peugeot strikes back with another teaser for the upcoming 408 crossover fastback, revealing more of its design prior to its June 22 debut. The new 408 will go on sale this autumn with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. In China, the model will be called 408X since the 408 nameplate is already taken by a market-specific four-door sedan.

Peugeot describes the 408 as a “dynamic fastback saloon with an elevated body and large wheels, and a feline stance typical of the brand’s models”. The last teaser includes two shots of a lightly camouflaged prototype, showing both the front and rear ends.

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The new 408 may be covered by a wrap with graphics designed to “blur the perception of lines and volumes” but we can clearly see most of the styling cues of the new model. The front end bears a close resemblance to the 308 hatchback and the 508 sedan, with Peugeot’s signature LED fangs on the bumper. The grille is covered but we have already seen it in the previous teaser featuring Peugeot’s new emblem and a modern pattern.

At the back, the aerodynamic roofline leads to a steeply raked rear windshield and an integrated spoiler completing the fastback look. The horizontally-mounted taillights are slim and probably interconnected, with LED graphics typical of Peugeot’s higher trim levels. The rear bumper appears to be protruding with a diffuser-style extension, although we don’t know how much of it will be black-painted plastic cladding in the finished product. We can also see the sculpted rear shoulders, the futuristic wheels that appeared in spy shots, and the characteristic window line reaching all the way to the tailgate.

Peugeot remains coy on details about the electrified powertrains of the 408 which will most likely ride on a stretched version of the EMP2 platform similar to the closely-related Citroen C5 X. However, the “PHEV” on the title of the official teaser photos all but confirms the rumors about a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Currently, Stellanti’s PHEVs are offered with a FWD setup and a combined output of 177 hp (132 kW / 180 PS) or 222 hp (165 kW / 225 PS), and with an AWD setup producing either 296 hp (221 kW / 300 PS) or 355 hp (265 kW / 360 PS). It remains to be seen if the 408 introduces a new version of the PHEV system with increased EV range, or carries over one of the existing options.

The Peugeot 408 is completing the last leg of development testing and validation before it gets revealed to the world. During testing, the model has driven nearly 1,100,000 km (683,508 miles) under different conditions.