The Peugeot 408 is a small family car produced by Peugeot. It was unveiled on January 25, 2010, at the Beijing Auto Show and sales began in China on April 8, 2010. In November 2010, production of the 408 commenced in El Palomar, Buenos Aires, Argentina, with sales starting in April 2011. Despite its name, it is not the successor to the Peugeot 407, but rather a long-wheelbasesaloon version of the Peugeot 308 hatchback, primarily targeted at emerging markets such as China. The 408 is not slated for the Western European market, and not built there. Depending on where this car is produced, there are both internal and external differences. The front of the car is one of the visible changes, but also the low rear end is different. Indeed, in some markets, there are cars with the front of the South American version and the back of the Chinese version. Inside the vehicle, the most noticeable difference is seen at the door.
The 408 was available in China with either a 1.6 L and 2.0 L petrol four cylinder engine. The 1.6 has a capacity of 1587 cc and produces at 5,750 r.p.m. and maximum torque of at 4,000 rpm. The 2.0 L engine has a capacity of 1997 cc and produces at 6,000 rpm and at 4,000 rpm. Either engine can be specified with a five speed manual or four speed automatic transmission. In South America a 1.6 L diesel engine, known as a HDi, is sold alongside the 2.0 L petrol engine and 1.6L THP petrol engine with six speed automatic transmission. The four cylinder diesel has a capacity of 1560 cc and produces and torque of. The HDi has a top speed of and accelerates to in 12.4 seconds. In Malaysia, 408 comes with two engines, 1.6L Prince turbo engine and 2.0L petrol four cylinder engine. The 1.6L engine produces at 6,000 rpm. and maximum torque of from 1,400 rpm. The 2.0 L engine has a capacity of 1997 cc and produces at 6,000 rpm and at 4,000 rpm. 1.6L Prince turbo engines mated with six speed and 2.0L engine mated with four speeds auto adaptive gearbox with Tiptronic and Sport mode only. The first generation 408 continues in production in Latin America and Russia, with a front/rear facelift and minor changes. The front was restyled with grille, and headlamps in 408 style of the second generation 408.
The second generation Peugeot 408 was unveiled in the 2014 Beijing Auto Show. In June 2016, the international version of the Peugeot 408 was launched at the NAZA Tower in Malaysia, though with only one engine choice and transmission. A facelift was launched in 2018, featuring a redesigned front fascia, rear bumper, and tail lamps.
