Overview

FOLLOWING a false start last year with the midsize 408 GT PHEV, Peugeot Australia has slotted in a replacement mild hybrid (MHEV) version of the same vehicle pitched $10 grand less, the 408 GT Premium Fastback hybrid priced from $57,990 excluding on-road costs.

It looks exactly the same as the first contender but instead of a 165kW/360Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder/electric motor plug-in hybrid arrangement, the new one is driven by the Peugeot’s almost ubiquitous 1.2-litre turbo three-cylinder petrol/integrated 48V electric traction motor powertrain with 107kW/230Nm.

It’s the same as you’ll find propelling other Peugeot models including the recently tested 5008h GT medium-size SUV and drives the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission in place of the previous plug-in model’s eight-speed automatic.

The little three pot donk struggled a tad in the weighty 5008 but less so in the slightly smaller (lighter by nearly 250kg) 408 GT.

The handsome Pug looks good from all angles crouching on the street with a wind-swept “aero” appearance characterised by the low sloping fastback, Coke-bottle profile with a hip in the rear doors, aggressive frontal styling and a longish sculpted bonnet.

Chiselled panels are offset with a touch of SUV to the 408’s lithe form accentuated by wheel arch cladding and big, black 19-inch alloys.

It’s a similar story inside with an angular look carried through to the dash which is shaped like an aircraft wing on top and a neatly integrated i-Cockpit driver’s instrument pod with a Peugeot-centric small D-cut multi-function wheel.

Unlike the 5008’s twin element single wide screen, the 408 is old school with two separate 10.0-inch screens that segregate controls in a more user-friendly format using a mix of haptic “buttons” and conventional switches and buttons underneath.

Infotainment and instrumentation control via the screens covers off wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, 3D satellite navigation, 360-degree camera technology, and a 10-speaker Focal audio bundle.

Upholstered in a soft leather, the interior is replete with a full complement of luxury kit that includes black highlighted LED ambient cabin lighting, keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, a frameless rear-view mirror, climate control air quality monitor, rain-sensing wipers, and an opening panoramic roof (previously a $2000 option).

Other goodies as standard are 19-inch alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights, LED taillights.

Active and passive safety technologies encompass front and rear parking sensors, AEB with low-light pedestrian and cyclist detection, long-range blind-spot detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go functionality, lane centring assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The model measures 4865mm in length, 1859mm in width, 1485mm in height, and rides on a 2790mm wheelbase. Cargo capacity is listed at 471 litres with the rear seats in place and 1545 litres all told.

Other details of interest include front strut/rear twist beam suspension, a braked towing capacity of 1300kg, and a tare weight of 1438kg.

The test model clocks a 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 9.4 seconds using 95RON premium unleaded at a claimed combined rate of 4.5 litres per 100km.

Peugeot Australia backs its passenger vehicle range with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, but has yet to advise service intervals and pricing for the 408 GT Premium Fastback Hybrid.

Driving Impressions

The 408 GT test model stands out with “a-la-mode” French style that moves it away from the ocean of cloned, often ugly vehicles flooding the market.

A throw-back of sorts thanks in part to its fastback roofline and rear door hip, the 408 GT has plenty of street cred’ though most casual observers don’t know what it is… but they like it.

So did we, willingly going for a spin in a car that makes people look.

Access for some is compromised by the sexy low roofline incorporating a large sunroof though once ensconced in the snug cabin, it’s comfortable, well-appointed, good to look at and use. Generous legroom is provided in the rear pew followed by a large load space.

The softly upholstered perforated leather sports seats hold you steady and plenty of electric adjustment allows front seat passenger easy access to the right setting.

From the driver’s seat lots of info’ is displayed on the screen while some other functions are easily enacted through “normal” buttons complemented by the usual centre screen menu access which we find incredibly distracting exacerbated by small format figures.

Shorter drivers might find wheel height adjustment lacking as it doesn’t drop down far enough.

Enveloping tones ooze from the premium audio making travel time pleasant as do other luxury accoutrement inside the five-door fastback.

We had a couple of issues with the test car’s sunroof blind derailing and the auto-close boot not closing (once) but they were the only fails.

Driving the beast is OK damped a touch by a relative lack of performance though in Sport mode (requiring two presses of the button for some reason), the 408 provides “adequate sufficiency” the little mill simply not endowed with enough get-go for true GT car performance, even with a turbo attached and an electric motor.

Peugeot may have moved too far towards fuel economy optimisation and thereby emissions reduction with this hybrid set-up as, put simply, it needs more poke that can’t be masked even with a slick shifting six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

OK, enough of the powertrain, in other areas the 408 GT lives up to Peugeot’s reputation for all round competent dynamics covering its supple ride, noise suppression, sharpish steering and strong brakes.

Despite being ostensibly calibrated for long distance comfort, the 408 GT displays deft responses coupled with a neutral cornering attitude at speed thanks in part to the sticky Michelin tyres but also due to the expertise with which the model is calibrated. 

No torque steer is evident and the 408 cuts a neutral arc through curves without loading up the front wheels or losing the back. Unavoidably belt into a pothole and the 408 barely notices though it’s not wise to let that happen.

After more than a century, Peugeot is well across how a mainstream car should ride and handle and it’s plainly on display in the 408 GT.

Three drive modes are provided but we preferred Sport over Eco and Normal as it sharpens power delivery, gear selection and imparts more of a sporty flavour to the 408 GT.

During our 1000km mixed test drive the 408 GT sipped a combined 6.0L/100km – lots more than the claimed 4.5.

Some range may be clawed back though regenerative braking, but we suspect that would not amount to much given the average achieved on test.

We enjoyed our time in the Peugeot 408 Premium GT hybrid particularly the styling and interior features and if sporty performance is not a priority, it certainly makes for a strong talking point down at the boulangerie.