SPIED: Peugeot 408 'Fastback' Crossover In Malaysia – Launching Soon?

We chanced upon sighting the radical new Peugoet 408 fastback-styled crossover SUV earlier today whilst travelling through Sabak Bernam!

Whilst traversing through the back roads deep within Selangor’s north-western district of Sabak Bernam to film a test-car we have on hand earlier today, we chanced upon sighting a pair of the new Peugeot 408 fastback-styled crossover SUVs on the roads there.

The pair we spotted weren’t camouflaged and bore blue trade plates on, the latter fact suggesting these cars were likely undergoing some sort of evaluation by distributors Bermaz Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAuto). This is also perhaps a sign of things to come from said firm – more on which in a bit.

Back to our sighting, the grey-hued unit pictured appears similar to the unit sighted recently by other local press prior. It was accompanied by a second unit dressed in black. Closer inspection also show both cars bearing different variant badges on the right side of their respective tailgates.

Moreover, we spotted TWO of them! Look closely at the tailgate badges and note the differing variant badges on the right side of each car's tailgate.

They grey-hued unit bears what appears to be a ‘hybrid’ script badge, indicating perhaps it’s similar to the PH225 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant that the Stellantis-owned Peugeot brand launched in Thailand earlier this year.

This variant pairs a 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill with an electric motor and 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. Developing 222 HP (225 PS) and 360 NM combined, it drives the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic box.

Said hybrid system accepts AC charging inputs at a rate of 7.4 kW, allowing full re-charges in 1 hour and 55 minutes. It also boasts full-electric drive capabilities with a claimed WLTP range of 63 KM for which.

Whilst we cannot clearly identify the variant badge seen in the black unit, it is visibly different from the grey unit’s. This could be a non-hybrid ‘GT’ guise instead.

For this variant, it adopts a more traditional and familiar 1.2-litre ‘PureTech’ 3-cyl turbo petrol mill similar to what's in the Peugeot 2008. In the 408 though, this blown three-banger mill powers the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic box with claimed outputs of 128 HP (130 PS) and 230 NM.

Unveiled globally last year, the new Peugeot 408 bore a radical new fastback-like crossover SUV styling, unlike past versions of the 408, which were traditional three-box sedans.

From our sighting, we are certain that BAuto is poised to launch the radically revamped new 408 crossover in a timely manner. Historically, it will be the first PHEV Peugeot model to go on sale in Malaysia, but a traditional un-electrified version will also likely be available alongside it.

Naturally, BAuto is very tight-lipped regarding its product planning, so we have no clear indications as to when exactly we will see the Peugeot 408 officially being launched. Our best guess is that that we may see it within the first half 2024, but don’t take our word on that just yet.

With this recent sighting of ours, could we perhaps expect local distributors BAuto to launch the Peugeot 408 for our market soon?

Like the 2008, 3008, and 5008 SUVs trio BAuto presently offers, we’re certain the 408 will also roll-off Stellantis’s assembly facility in Gurun, Kedah and enjoy locally assembled (CKD) status. The latter could also see competitive pricing and stir up the local C-segment SUVs market space a little.

Would you be keen on the Peugeot 408 should it be launched soon? What sort of price figures you reckon would make this left-field French alternative more tempting over its rivals? As always, hit the comments below, as well as our social media pages, with your take on things…