Stellantis looks beyond SUV era with new Peugeot 408
By Gilles Guillaume
PARIS (Reuters) – Peugeot, one in every of Stellantis’ French manufacturers, unveiled its new 408 mannequin on Wednesday, betting the “fastback” sedan will entice motorists affected by sports-utility automobile (SUV) fatigue.
SUVs have been vastly fashionable in recent times in Europe, reaching a document 46% share of recent gross sales in France in Might, the identical stage as conventional sedans.
However Peugeot believes their ubiquity has created a craving amongst some drivers for extra originality.
“(Some Peugeot 408 prospects) want for a extra authentic and innovating fashion than a compact SUV, which they deem too frequent (…)”, it stated in a press release.
Fastbacks are recognized for a single slope from the roof to the rear of the automobile, as seen for instance on the Ford Mustang.
So the brand new 408 is far decrease and longer than Peugeot’s 3008 SUV, with a flowing and aerodynamic line giving it a particular silhouette that units it other than mainstream fashions.
Nonetheless the brand new automotive, which will probably be inbuilt Mulhouse in jap France, does have some fashionable SUV traits akin to a excessive floor clearance, massive wheels and black plastic overlaying caps on the fenders, the edges and the rear protect.
The 408 will probably be launched early subsequent yr in Europe and in China by mid-2023, the place it will likely be assembled in Chengdu.
It is going to initially be outfitted with petrol and hybrid petrol-electric engines earlier than switching to a completely electrical model.
(Reporting by Gilles Guillaume; Writing by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Enhancing by Mark Potter)
