The Peugeot 408 is the largest C-Class family sedan. Its predecessor is the 308 hatchback, on the basis of which the new car was designed. Peugeot 408 is produced in Buenos Aires (the capital of Argentina), as well as in Malaysia and China. The new Peugeot 408 can also be bought in Russia. This model, like the 301st, is produced at a factory in Kaluga.
History of creation
The new Peugeot 408 model was first presented to the audience at the Beijing Motor Show in 2010. And next year the car began to be sold on the consumer market in many countries, including Russia. The model is not offered only to customers in Western Europe.
The first Peugeot 408
car of Russian assembly was assembled at the Kaluga plant on 04/16/2012. This model is intended for those who appreciate a comfortable interior and stylish design, an adequate price, safety and practicality in the car.
However, opinions about this car are mixed. In addition to good deserved "Peugeot 408" bad reviews from the owners. Some are convinced that their “iron horse” is ugly, constantly breaking and not very powerful. Others, on the contrary, recognize the Peugeot 408 as an excellent car, positively speaking about its convenience and economy. Which opinion is most consistent with reality? In order to understand this, you need to get to know this model more closely.
Appearance
What is the exterior of the Peugeot 408? There are bad reviews from the owners and good ones in this matter. So, some consumers say that the body of their car is impressive, solid and quite serious. Others believe that the Peugeot 408 has a simple exterior, almost no different from previous models.
Of course, all the responses of the owners have the right to exist. After all, everyone has different needs. It is worth mentioning that, according to most buyers, the Peugeot 408 has dimensions not only impressive, but also very balanced. In addition, the exterior of the machine is distinguished by elegant shapes and impeccable lines. "Peugeot 408" inherent sophisticated style and bright personality, which immediately catches the eye. Without a doubt, this dynamic car inspires confidence and gives a feeling of calm.
On the front of the Peugeot 408 is a new lion emblem. It is distinguished from the previous one by modernism and clarity of lines. A cleaner, more dynamic and expressive design is decorated with a chrome frame, which serves as an additional decoration.
The sedan is also given a bright personality by a radiator grille decorated with shiny chrome trims and an interesting form of fog lights that visually increase the width of the hood. Similar details, which are characteristic mainly of racing and sports cars, give the impression of stability and reliability. Exquisitely luxurious look and give the car chrome moldings placed under the headlights.
As for the size of the Peugeot 408, all motorists here appreciate its large dimensions. The length of this model is 4.7 meters and the width is 1.8 m. And this is a definite plus of the model, which is considered one of the largest in its class.
Ergonomics and Salon
Almost the entire front of the sedan is copied from its predecessor, the hatchback. That is why the Peugeot 408 deserves bad reviews from owners who decided to transfer to an updated car. And this despite the ergonomics, functionality of the cabin and its high quality. However, someone who is already used to the previous model and does not expect something new from the car, considers this a big plus.
The dashboard of the sedan is made in a sporty style. The on-board computer monitor is also conveniently located here. Everything is thought out and done quite high quality and beautiful. However, here deserved the “Peugeot 408” bad reviews of the owners. According to some users, due to the fact that the numbers merge with the background of the panel, it is difficult to determine the data on the devices.
The biggest advantages of the Peugeot 408, according to their owners, are the rear seats and the trunk of the car. So, in the second row behind the driver's seat in the cabin of this model, three people are conveniently located at once. The rear seats do not have armrests. According to some car owners, this is its minus. However, this part would not allow three passengers to accommodate simultaneously without any problems. There are such configurations "Peugeot 408", in which, in addition to the width, comfort is also given to the rear seats by dual-zone climate control.
A lot of positive feedback from car owners deserves the trunk of a sedan. It is characterized by convenience and large capacity. However, in this matter you can hear about the Peugeot 408 bad reviews from the owners. Despite the fact that the boot volume of this model is 526 liters, some overall things (for example, a pram) are difficult to get into. The reason is the narrow entrance to this department. The good news is that you can increase the amount of luggage if you wish. For this, it is enough to fold the rear seats.
The glove box "Peugeot 408" deserves positive reviews. It has a volume of more than 10 liters, which allows you to put a 1.5 liter bottle in it. The lid of this drawer, equipped with a device for closing and opening, is designed in such a way that it has additional built-in compartments. For user convenience, there is a backlight inside this part. In addition, during climate control, the glove box is constantly cooled.
Security
In order for the trip to the Peugeot 408 to complete successfully, the designers provided an ABS system for anti-lock brakes and a stabilization ESP.
The anti-lock braking system is especially necessary for the driver in case of emergency braking. In such conditions, ABS allows you to not lose control of the machine with a sharp change in the trajectory of its movement.
But EPS, which is a system of dynamic stabilization, returns the car to its originally specified path. Such actions are possible if the computer detects excessive or understeer sedan.
There is an airbag for the driver in the car. She is in a nave of a steering wheel. A passenger airbag is integrated under the control panel. These devices are able to protect people with strong frontal impacts, stopping and damping their forward movement.
Also, the Peugeot 408 has five seat belts, which for greater reliability have a three-point fastening. On the front seats, these devices are equipped with pyrotechnic retractors. Belt tension limiters are also provided in them.
Peugeot 408 designers paid particular attention to developing a system for child safety. So, in the car, you can easily turn off the rear door locks. In addition, after performing simple manipulations, it becomes impossible to work windows.
Body structure
The Peugeot 408 easily dissipates and absorbs impact energy. This is due to the sturdy frame of the sedan and the presence of specially weakened zones having a programmed deformation. Also in the body structure provides for the placement of two power zones. They are needed for maximum protection of the passenger compartment and passengers. In addition, in the event of an accident, power belts will maximize the preservation of the body, which will simplify repairs and significantly reduce its cost.
Diesel engine
Options "Peugeot 408" may be different. The buyer is offered a car with one of four types of engines. Three of them are gasoline, including one turbocharged, and the fourth - diesel. The latest Peugeot 408 engines are the most fuel efficient. Their consumption in the city is 6.2 liters, and on the highway - 4.3 liters. In other words, the diesel equipped with the Peugeot 408 surpasses all other engines in its qualitative characteristics. In addition, he is almost silent. Of course, standing outside the car, the sound of diesel fuel can always be distinguished from gasoline. But in the cabin, he does not create any vibration.
The designers put a five-speed manual gearbox to the diesel engine. According to motorists, acceleration in a sedan with such a configuration is quite peppy. The diesel engine is rapidly gaining power from low revs. Only then does a small noise appear in the cabin, similar to the ringing of “fingers” when refueling with bad diesel fuel. However, this is not the sound of a motor. This is how a vacuum pump works.
Petrol engines
They also equip various sedan forks. What are the reviews for Peugeot 408 gasoline engines? The characteristic of each of them allows us to say that all these motors have excellent performance and low fuel consumption. In addition, the turbocharged engine is designed with reduced dimensions. This reduces the power of the motor, but allows you to save the largest torque at low speeds.
The weakest of gasoline engines has a capacity of 110 liters. from. In the city, he consumes 10.1 liters, and on the highway - 6 liters. Such an engine is docked with a five-speed manual gearbox. The next VTi engine has a capacity of 120 liters. from. Depending on the configuration, it can have either a five-speed or an updated 4-speed gearbox. Gasoline (turbo) has the greatest power. It is equal to 150 liters. from. This significantly increases the consumption of gasoline. In the city it is 11.3 liters, and on the highway - 6.3 liters. Such a motor is equipped with a 6-speed gearbox. All gasoline engines comply with Euro-4 and Euro-5 standards.
Equipment
What "Peugeot 408" exhibited in the consumer market? Sedans for buyers are available in three trim levels. These are Active, Access and Allure. Each of these machines has its own set of options, which should satisfy all the needs of the buyer.
For example, the basic configuration of an Access car is characterized by the presence of all the necessary modern equipment. It includes:
- airbags;
- ABS system;
- locking door locks with the remote control;
- interior heating system;
- Electric heated mirrors ;
- metal motor protection, etc.
Suspension
Peugeot 408 cars are operated in difficult conditions of Russian roads. And quite successfully. This is confirmed by the repeatedly conducted test drive "Peugeot 408". The car picks up speed very well and goes well into turns.
Such characteristics of the machine became possible thanks to a specially increased ground clearance. It is 175 mm. This ground clearance allows the motorist to feel confident not only on city streets, but also on highways.
But the opinions about the suspension "Peugeot 408" drivers say different things. Some of them claim that the suspension is soft, while others say that it is stiff. But it is worth keeping in mind that for Russian roads this detail has been strengthened. The designers optimized the suspension parameters by increasing the number of coil turns in it, installing adapted shock absorbers and using anti-roll bars with improved characteristics.
Gas tank
For refueling "Peugeot 408" you will need 60 liters of diesel fuel or gasoline. This volume of the gas tank provides significant autonomous mileage (up to 1000 km). It is very convenient for long journeys. Motorists respond positively to the device of the gas tank door. It is locked simultaneously with the central lock. But the gas tank plug can be opened without using the ignition key.
Cost
What is the price of a Peugeot 408? Its level depends on the configuration of the model. Access has the lowest cost. It is equal to 637,000 rubles.
The higher the car "Peugeot 408" price is 664 000 rubles. This is the cost of the Active version.
The most expensive car in this series is the Allure. Its car dealerships offer for 734,000 rubles.
Spare parts
Owners can buy supplies for their car in various salons and online stores. Spare parts "Peugeot 408" are not a deficit and are always in stock at the seller. Replacement of necessary elements is also carried out by organizations conducting maintenance.
Spare parts "Peugeot 408" can be not only original. Sellers will always pick up quality analogues. The car owner will be able to order the necessary part himself, using its individual catalog number.
Spare parts "Peugeot 408" have a long service life. And all of them are subject to planned replacement after a certain mileage. Compliance with this rule allows you to save as much on repairing a sedan.
Possible problems
In general, the Peugeot 408 is distinguished by a reliable chassis, perfectly adapted to various options for road surface. However, during the operation of the car, drivers may need to replace ball bearings or wheel bearings, as well as silent blocks located on the lower engine mount. Sometimes users complain of frequent problems with the electrics, which are expressed in the fact that fog lights and bulbs burn out very quickly.