February, 2026

3 minutes read

When it was launched in November 2022, the PEUGEOT 408 immediately disrupted established conventions. By introducing a completely new silhouette to the range, it opened up a new path.

“It was a first for us: a reinvented saloon, halfway between a traditional saloon and a crossover,” explains Mohamed Mghaieth, Product Manager of the new PEUGEOT 408 and a powertrain engineer by training.

A vision shared by the design teams. “The 408 is based on a truly unprecedented morphology, both for PEUGEOT and for the market as a whole. It combines the fundamentals of a saloon - driving position, long-distance comfort and interior space - with certain SUV-inspired cues such as wide tracks, large wheels and a raised stance,” explains Michaël Trouvé, Design Project Manager for the new PEUGEOT 408.

Its distinctive posture and generous interior space captivated customers seeking originality - drivers eager to move beyond both oversized silhouettes and the more conventional styling of traditional models.

If the first 408 was described as “unexpected from every angle,” Phase 2 delivers on a clear promise: a car that stands out from every angle, with a guaranteed WOW effect.

With this Phase 2, the PEUGEOT 408 fully embraces an ambitious goal: to become a key driver of the brand’s renewed dynamism and modernity. “It must confirm its singularity and establish itself as a memorable car, capable of making a lasting impression,” emphasises Mohamed Mghaieth.

To meet this challenge, the new PEUGEOT 408 further strengthens its visual presence by adopting the stylistic cues of the 2026 range. At the front, the signature three-claw light design is immediately recognisable, along with a redesigned grille featuring an illuminated emblem on the GT and GT Premium trims. At the rear, illuminated PEUGEOT lettering makes its debut - a first for a Peugeot model.

“Today, the 408 is one of the strongest expressions of Peugeot design. We wanted to push expressiveness and brand identity even further,” explains Michaël Trouvé. “The gaze is more assertive, more proud. The three claws become a true identity element, clearly visible both day and night, without being disrupted by the lighting modules positioned lower in the bumper.”

At the rear, the light signature takes on an entirely new approach.

“For the first time on the 408, the three rear claws are connected by a light strip that integrates illuminated PEUGEOT lettering within a single transverse element,” specifies Michaël Trouvé. “This reinforces both modernity and a strong sense of belonging to the brand.”

Another standout feature of the new 408 is the exclusive Flare Green paint, introduced as the launch colour. Designed to enhance the car’s sculpted surfaces, it plays with the light to reveal striking nuances that shift from deep green to vibrant yellow. “It’s not just a showroom colour - it’s a shade that works in everyday life, refined and elegant, while highlighting the car’s surfaces,” explains the designer.

The new PEUGEOT 408 is now available with a complete range of electrified powertrains from launch. Mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or 100% electric: the lineup has been designed to offer freedom of choice, depending on individual usage, driving habits and lifestyles.

“We wanted to give customers a choice, without imposing a single technology. The new 408 supports the energy transition without constraints,” notes Mohamed Mghaieth.

Exclusive to the new 408, the Plug-in Hybrid 240 version stands out with an electric range of up to 53 miles WLTP* in urban use making it ideal for daily journeys. The Hybrid 145, meanwhile, offers an efficient and more accessible solution, perfectly suited for drivers seeking versatility in their daily use.”

Finally, the E-408 benefits from the model’s carefully optimised aerodynamics, with a drag coefficient of just 0.28 - contributing to a low energy consumption of 14.7 kWh/100 km.

The new PEUGEOT 408 is also among the brand’s most advanced models in terms of innovation. With this facelift, its technological offering has been significantly enhanced with new equipment and services designed to simplify everyday driving.

The E-408, for example, comes as standard with battery pre-conditioning, an intelligent trip planner, V2L functionality to power external devices and soon, Plug & Charge. “We wanted to enhance the electric version with smart features that make the experience smoother and more intuitive,” insists the Product Manager.

Inside, the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® evolves with clearer graphics on the 3D screen, the continued use of premium materials (leather and Alcantara), refined finishes and optimal comfort, including AGR-certified seats. “We took customer feedback into account to improve readability, driving feel and maintain a high level of perceived quality,” he adds.

Produced in Mulhouse, the new 408 benefits from French expertise in assembly and finishing. “At this level of the range, excellence in perceived quality is essential,” concludes Mohamed Mghaieth.