Peugeot e-408 adds Tesla Model 3 competitor to electric line-up

A week before its official premiere at the Paris Motor Show, Peugeot has already revealed the e-408, an electric variant of its mid-size crossover that will try to compete with the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, among others.

This addition means that almost every car available to order in Peugeot’s line-up now offers a choice of petrol, hybrid, or electric powertrains.

New battery capacity

Although closely related to the Peugeot e-308, which uses the same modular EMP2 platform, the larger e-408 adopts a slightly different powertrain. It notably draws power from a larger 58.2kWh (net usable) NMC battery pack, which is unique within the Stellantis group until now. The e-408 is fitted with the same synchronous electric motor as the e-3008, which deploys 152 kW/207 hp, probably good for a sprint from 0 to 100 kph in less than 10 seconds.

The bigger battery could be accommodated as engineers “had more room to play with” within the fastback’s longer wheelbase, explained Peugeot product director Jérôme Micheron to the British magazine Autocar.

The 408’s slippery design, which achieves a drag coefficient of 0.28, helps the EV achieve a range of 450 kilometers (WLTP) and a ±13 kWh per 100km efficiency. The battery can accommodate DC charging speeds of up to 120kW.

Despite the 408 being able to accommodate it, Peugeot isn’t offering the e-408 with the 98kWh battery that has just been launched in the Peugeot e-3008 and Peugeot e-5008, offering up to 680 kilometers of range.

Asked why, Micheron said: “When we looked at the competition of the e-408, we saw we were in the right position regarding range and efficiency. The average C-segment customer drives 45 km a day.”

Nevertheless, the already mentioned competitors from Polestar and Tesla offer long-range versions ranging from 630 to 650 kilometers.

No distinction

The e-408 is nearly indistinguishable from its ICE siblings, with only the additional ‘e’ badge at the rear marking it out. “We wanted to protect the design and its attractiveness,” said Micheron.

The same is true inside. The e-408 has the same i-Cockpit (small steering wheel and raised 10-inch instrument panel) as the ICE 408, along with a 10-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

As said, the e-408 will make its first public appearance at the Mondial in Paris later this month. Pricing for many countries has yet to be confirmed, but in France, it will apparently start at €43,900 in Allure trim and top out at €45,900 in GT trim. Orders can be taken soon, and deliveries will begin early next year.