Peugeot has revealed the fully electric version of the 408, which joins the existing petrol-only and plug-in hybrid variants of the fastback crossover. Called the e-408, it is built on the multi-energy E-EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform) and will directly compete against the Tesla Model 3 as well as the Polestar 2.

Visually, the e-408 doesn’t look visually different from a regular 408 and retains the model’s sleek shape and design cues, with the addition of an ‘e’ badge at the back. For better aerodynamics to improve range, the bumpers, front air intake and lower rear guards for the front wheels have been revised, and a specific underbody enables a flat floor.

The result is 453 km of range following the WLTP standard provided by a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery with 18 modules and a usable energy capacity of 58.2 kWh. Siblings like the e-3008 and e-5008, which are built on the same platform, are available with a larger 98-kWh battery, but the e-408 isn’t offered with this option. According to Peugeot, the e-408’s range meets the needs of most C-segment customers, whose typical daily mileage is under 45 km based on industry data.

For charging, there is an 11-kW onboard AC charger as well as support for DC fast charging at a peak of 120 kW, the latter seeing a 20-80% state of charge reached in just over 30 minutes – 100 km of range can be recovered in about 10 minutes.

The battery powers a front electric motor rated at 213 PS (210 hp or 157 kW) and 345 Nm of torque. These figures are available when in Sport mode, which is one of three drive modes available, with another being the default Normal that limits outputs to 190 PS (188 hp or 140 kW) and 300 Nm. Eco mode dials things back further to 170 PS (168 hp or 125 kW) and 270 Nm.

Inside, the e-408 retains the familiar i-Cockpit with a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other features like ambient lighting, 10-speaker Focal sound system, advanced driver assistance systems (AEB, ACC, etc.) are carried over from the regular 408.

The e-408 will be offered in Okenite White, Obsession Blue, Selenium Grey, Elixir Red and Perla Nera Black, with order taking set to start in Europe today, and deliveries will start early next year. Through its Allure Care programme, the electric vehicle (EV) is warranted for up to eight years or 160,000 km, the longest of any European brand, the company claims.

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