Earlier this year, Peugeot launched and introduced the
new Peugeot 408 sedan to the Chinese market. Now it looks like the French manufacturer is also keen on bringing their compact sedan to another market, South America.
Peugeot also announced that the "Peugeot 408", the long wheelbase version of the 308, is currently being produced at the company’s PSA Peugeot Citroen Palomar production plant in Buenos Aires, Argentina and will eventually be sold in 27 countries, including Argentina and Brazil.
The 0 denotes the
Peugeot 408 as a Peugeot, while the 8 signifies the sedan’s generation.
The
Peugeot 408 is offered with a choice of 1.6 Liter 16 V four cylinder making 110 HP or a 2.0 Liter 16 V cranking out 147 HP.
The new
Peugeot 408 is a mid-size sedan created by the French car manufacturer Peugeot especially for the Chinese market. The car was designed in France and although intended for the Chinese market, Peugeot plans on selling the car in other countries as well around the world as well.
Peugeot is launching a new "sedan Peugeot 408" in China. This model is designed special for growth market countries and produced by the joint venture companies in China namely Peugeot Dongfeng.
Peugeot 408 using low-cost platform with MacPherson front suspension (front) and torsion-beam (rear). Be extended 2710mm wheelbase, or a 100mm longer than the Peugeot 308 hatchback. With the addition of the rear trunk, total length of 4680mm or 400mm so longer than 308.
1.6-liter engine can produce maximum power of 110hp and 2.0-liter engine can be 147hp. Engine with VVT technology has been removed from Peugeot models in circulation there.
The Chinese and South American version of the Peugeot 408 , built on an extended 308 platform and developed by Peugeot and China's DFM, is expected to increase Peugeot's Chinese sales - 410,000 in 2009 - by 30 percent.
“Whilst the car has not been officially confirmed for right-hand drive production at this stage, we are quietly confident that it will be in Australia in the not-too-distant future,” General Manager of Peugeot Australia Ken Thomas said.
“The car has an extended wheelbase allowing for more interior space and the sedan shape obviously allows for more boot space.”
In China, the
Peugeot 408 will be powered by a version of the 1.6 litre engine developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW, along with a 2.0 litre petrol unit, producing 79kW and 110kW respectively.
The 508 marks the return of Peugeot’s “five-0″ designated models, last seen on the 505 from 1979 to around 1992.
With Citroen, Peugeot RC HYmotion4 is a field that is increasingly cluttered with hybrid concepts using a new system that can take the road to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. Fortunately for Peugeot, they have managed not just recycle or rebadge an existing model, but have incorporated this technology into an boldly attractive four door GT coupe.
Peugeot has joined sister-brand Citroen by releasing a concept vehicle based on the new HYmotion4 AWD hybrid system. The new concept is according to Peugeot, a ‘Touring Car Coupe’ that features a number of engineering and technological ideas expected to make their way, if only gradually, into both of the carmaker’s future production models. Unlike the hybrid systems used by current production vehicles, this concept has no direct mechanical connection between the electric and internal combustion drive systems. This way, the RC can operate in either rear, front, or all-wheel-drive modes. That means it can also operate using internal combustion, electric only or blended mode combining both. Propelling this concept is a rear mounted turbocharged 1.6 liter engine driving the rear wheels and producing 218 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. Up front, an electric motor provides up to another 132 lb-ft of torque and provides a governed combined production of 313 horsepower. This sort of power pays of with acceleration to 62 mph in a mere 4.4 seconds. The electrons are stored in a lithium-ion battery pack of an as unreleased size, but having the electric motor at the front instead of the rear axle means that more kinetic energy can be recaptured through the regenerative braking process. According to Peugeot, the RC can get 52.3 mpg with a minimum output of just 109 g/km of CO2 emissions. 
Other Hymotion4 concepts in the mix for the future include Peugeot’s Prologue, which previews an upcoming 3008 crossover, as well as the Citroen Hypnos and C4 WRC rally car. These concepts, according to the manufacturer, are a synthesis of ideas that demonstrate a commitment to both respecting the environment and driving pleasure. If all of the technology that is used within this concept lives up to the manufacturer claims, the French may have the inside track in future hybrid production.
