Near space: flying in the new Peugeot 408

One should only approach him, and you immediately understand: this lion king is a true king of beauty, which will inevitably create a sensation in the streets.

And therefore, the fact that passers-by turned to the Peugeot 408 is not surprising. It’s amazing how people see him and what they say. And our people, they are like that – they know how to formulate.

Here is a typical conversation between father and son, who approached the Peugeot 408 the moment I left him. “Is it some kind of Italian supercar?” – asked the child. – “No, son, it’s “French”. But it’s also very good!” You probably couldn’t say it more accurately.

Yes, from some angles the Peugeot 408 can really be confused with an “Italian” – for example, if you approach it from behind and do not see the LED fangs. Although in fact there are no borrowings from Italian design here. It’s as cosmic as the insanely expensive Italian supercars!

But this comparison only works if you take price, as they say, out of the equation. And if you can’t stand it, then you immediately understand: in its price segment, no one can compare the Peugeot 408! After all, there are no other equally remarkable models in the range, relatively speaking, up to $50,000. So the 408 is truly unbeatable. Without exaggeration.

Here is another interesting nuance about the price: in the case of the Peugeot 408, for some reason it does not surprise or anger anyone. Although when they asked me about the cost of such a handsome car, I not only immediately named the price of this particular test car, which was equipped with “top plus options” style, I also shamelessly rounded up the figure !

And all because the Peugeot 408 looks more expensive than its real value, although nowadays the opposite is more often the case. By the way, it costs not only less than it seems, but even less than the above-mentioned condition of $ 50,000. Its price starts at UAH 1,208,800 for the not at all weak Allure Pack package. And we have the top-end GT on test (from 1,376,100 UAH). And although there are options, some of which are incredible for this class, the price does not exceed $ 40,000. This is really surprising. Therefore, go to the online warehouse of the Peugeot brand and choose your own fastback 408 from those available in Ukraine.

But this is not the only surprise. The Peugeot 408 may look like a crossover to some, although it is a true fastback. Well, yes, there is crossover clearance. But is that bad?

Although, compared to other fastbacks, the Peugeot 408 was able to distinguish itself. Look at it from the side: the roofline starts to descend just from the C-pillar. This means that the passengers in the second row will not be pressed on their heads by the roof and will be able to sit in comfort, which is more common for sedans. And here’s another nice feature the Peugeot 408 borrows from the world of spacious sedans: there’s no choice between second-row legroom and boot space. There are both privileges at the same time: it is comfortable for passengers, and the trunk is large – 505 liters. And if you fold the rear seats, you get all 1580 liters.

Well, since we’re talking about the interior of the Peugeot 408, it’s time to take a look. Here you will find a continuation of the aerospace theme: the colorful i-Cockpit in its latest incarnation. The tone is set by the amazing variety of angles where individual elements made of different materials intersect: matte plastic, glossy plastic, silver decorative panels of believable shape. All this is combined into a single group by elegant stitching in bright green color, winding along the panel, doors, console and steering wheel. And the real pearl of the test cockpit Peugeot 408 in GT configuration is the innovative 10-inch 3D dashboard, which has no analogues.

By the way, about the lack of analogues. Remember where you saw the interior trim in leather in such a soft blue color? A rhetorical question. Let’s also note that the driver of the 408 will receive not only aesthetic pleasure from the seats: his seat in the GT configuration has electrical adjustment in 10 directions and lumbar support adjustment, as well as mechanical length adjustment a cushion. Also, the driver’s seat in the top configuration is certified according to AGR requirements and provides a high level of back comfort.

Peugeot 408 generally shows the highest level of care for the driver. Here are just a few examples. When you back into an obstacle while parked, the large high-resolution central display will show not only the rear view and bird’s-eye view, but also a close-up view from the top of the bumper and the obstacle itself, which allows you to correlate their sizes and relative positions for a parking filigree. And if the eye of the rear view camera suddenly gets dirty, you don’t have to get out and wipe it – just press the virtual key on the same central display and turn on the washer. Yes, a separate washer for the rear view camera! And it’s even included in the starting Allure Pack, even though the camera itself on this device has a viewing angle of 180 degrees.

But in any configuration, the Peugeot 408 will offer easy and fast smartphone connection using wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Mirror Screen will “mirror” the smartphone screen on the central display. This is convenient if, for example, you want to use other applications for navigation instead of the standard Google service.

Interestingly, the display of the Peugeot 408 has a kind of continuity – a small additional i-Taggles touch panel. There are virtual hot keys here, as many as 6 of them, to which you can assign a function to yourself. And this, again, is very convenient.

Not only the cockpit and its contents are ultra-modern and comfortable, but also the general architecture of the car itself, because the Peugeot 408 is built on the latest EMP2 V3 platform, which is more efficient, safe and comfortable. Compared to the EMP2 V2, 50% of the parts have been updated: from the power steering, steering column and fuel tank to shock absorbers, stabilizers, front calipers and brake boosters. Exhaust system? Also new, like the air conditioning system.

The test car is not the first Peugeot to use the EMP2 V3 platform. For example, we have already tested the Peugeot 308, which is also developed here. Back then we were amazed by the 308’s handling, so we wonder if the Peugeot 408 can handle it with the same passion.

Here is the conclusion, literally in a nutshell: how! Despite its larger dimensions: length 4687 mm, width 1848 mm (without mirrors), height 1478 mm and wheelbase 2787 mm, the 408 listens well to the steering wheel and attacks the turns enthusiastically. Moreover, excellent handling is combined with expressive driving dynamics. The fact is that under the hood of the Peugeot 408 there is an engine that is not often seen in the model line of the French brand – a 1.6-liter turbo-petrol engine with a capacity of 215 horsepower! These are enough to accelerate the Peugeot 408 to 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds. So the unforgettable emotions that this car evokes are not only of an aesthetic nature.

Are these emotions too expensive in terms of fuel consumption? Driving style, of course, plays an important role. If you do not drive in the “pedal to the metal” style, then the appetite of the Peugeot 408 can be called very moderate for its dynamic characteristics: 9.5-10.5 liters in the city. If you try to save, you can safely subtract a liter or one and a half from these values. But don’t expect to be able to control yourself – this Peugeot can start! You can easily test this statement in person by signing up for a test drive.

Remember that even at night you don’t have to drive stealthily. And it’s not just the impressive, without exaggeration, the matrix headlights made with Peugeot Matrix LED 2.0 technology. Although they, of course, also work, because there are five lighting modes, of which the Peugeot 408 itself chooses the one that is most suitable at the moment. The light instantly adapts to driving conditions, taking into account speed, traffic patterns, load and even weather conditions (there is a special fog mode).

But alongside technology that primarily improves lighting, there’s equipment that gives the person driving the 408… cat vision! After all, there is even an optional night vision system. To use its help, you do not need to specifically turn on or configure anything – it is enough that the low beam of the headlights is turned on. And if the air temperature is not lower than -30 degrees and not higher than +28, and the speed is not more than 160 km/h, then you will get an extra pair of eyes watching the road . And for good reason: for example, thanks to the Night Vision system, I noticed later a large dog standing on the side of the road and a pedestrian who was just crossing the road in an unspecified place. Their image in a yellow frame suddenly appeared on the right side of the dashboard. Like, dear driver, please pay attention! Moreover, this polite warning appeared early, so I managed to reduce my speed in time.

In addition to Night Vision, the Peugeot 408 in the top GT trim will offer some more interesting options, such as wireless charging for a smartphone, Focal Hi-Fi system, panoramic sunroof, and premium Nappa leather trim in blue or black.

There is also something to add to the starting Allure Pack. For example, the electric heating of an acoustic windshield, wireless charging for a smartphone, a 360-degree all-round camera, and an alarm system.

It’s not too much, right? And all because even the starting equipment of the Allure Pack offers many things that you would normally have to pay extra for. There will be adaptive cruise Stop&Go, and a host of safety systems, including collision warning, a blind spot monitoring system, city emergency braking and rear cross-traffic alert. There will even be a navigation system!

If you want more advanced Lane Positioning Assist, an AGR driver’s seat, a frameless rear view mirror with electrochromic coating, and most importantly, Full LED headlights with Peugeot Matrix LED technology and a 3D instrument panel, then the GT is for you.

But no matter what configuration you choose, you will get a car with an incredibly attractive appearance, good driving characteristics, excellent dynamics and moderate fuel consumption. And also – with an endless battery of positive emotions, the charge you will experience every time you approach your Peugeot 408. Because it is truly unique and unique.

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