Anyone who sees it, even from afar, does not remain indifferent. Regardless of the angle. We are talking about the new Peugeot 408. With a silhouette inspired fastback – that is, with a rear end that descends continuously to the bumper – has a dynamic stance, without losing its elegant and modern design. We approached the car and looked inside. A comfortable environment is expected. Be? We went to try.

Match

“Attractive from every angle” is the signature of the new Peugeot 408. We wanted to prove it. For this, we chose the nooks and crannies of the Serra de Sintra. Is there a better way to see all the angles of this 4.69 meter long car?

The starting point was in Guincho, in the direction of Estrada da Peninha. For the more adventurous, this is part of one of the trails of the impressive mountain range: the Peninha and Anta Adrenunes trail. Along the way, there is a narrow path, where the mountain is cut by asphalt curves, flanked by long and tall green trees, which are embraced by ivy. The rocks, these, also look like vegetation, given the moss that grows on them.

If the external environment reminds us of enchanted stories, when we get into the Peugeot 408 we find ourselves in a new world. Or rather, a more futuristic and technological environment, but which, nevertheless, is worthy of a fairy tale. On the contrary. Starting with the latest generation Peugeot i-Cockpit: with a compact steering wheel with integrated controls, a 10-inch 3D digital instrument cluster and touch screen HD center, also 10 inches. Ergonomics reigns supreme in the new Peugeot 408. Mainly because we have a higher posture, which allows us to discover the path from a new angle.

Before leaving for the trip, we evaluated the interior in detail. In addition to storage space, we note that the seats are heated and massage. Also the steering wheel, in addition to having the integrated controls, is heated. Ideal for driving with the characteristic cold of the Serra de Sintra. And i-Toggles are also part of this model. Never heard of them? We’ll explain it to you: these are fully configurable virtual shortcuts that allow quick and intuitive access to essential day-to-day functions, such as listening to a specific radio station, calling a contact or starting navigation. To do so, all you have to do is assign a function to each i-Toggle. Simple and efficient so we don’t get distracted while driving.
Buckle up, it’s time to start the ride.

Begin

Although out of day, the immensity of the vegetation along the Serra de Sintra route forces us to try another element of the Peugeot 408: the headlights. At the rear, the full 3D LED lights leave no one indifferent, while the ultra-slim full LED front lights give us a better vision of the road. At night, these headlights allow safer driving, thanks to Peugeot Matrix LED technology.
When cutting corners, we feel the safety that the Peugeot 408 offers us. And the “cat ears” on the rear roof also contribute to this. Its function is not only to make the car more elegant and attractive, but also to direct the flow of outside air to optimize aerodynamics.

escape

We continue along the path, always surrounded by the various shades of green that this mountain offers us. Between tighter turns, we brake and slow down (road safety is a must), and we manage to see the battery of our Peugeot 408 partially charge, thanks to regenerative braking. Or it was not the plug-in hybrid model, respectful with the environment, but without having to worry about whether the battery is enough to reach our final destination.

However, if you prefer, the brand also offers this new model with a gasoline engine. Regardless of which version you choose, you’ll always have the 17- to 20-inch aluminum wheels. The latter, unprecedented, have a geometric design that creates a visual effect at low speed. It would surprise even the most futuristic druid of the Serra de Sintra (if we had found it).

Unexpected? only the 408

For a moment we fear getting lost in this immense mountain range and running out of battery in our cell phones. But it was all just a scare: the Peugeot 408 has four USB ports (two at the front and two at the rear) and, depending on the version, an induction charger.
We end our journey safely in the Peninha Sanctuary, where the wind blows mercilessly. And so that we don’t have unexpected situations, like hitting a bigger rock, we activate the rear parking sensors and the reversing camera. Do you know when the camera gets dirty with mud? It almost happened to us, due to the rain that suddenly fell on our test drive. But fortunately, the new Peugeot 408 has a car wash. Simple, clean and effective.

In addition to this equipment, this model also has eight-color LED ambient lighting and an air quality management system. And as unexpected only the Peugeot 408, with this car you no longer have the unpleasant surprise that blind spots give us, thanks to the tracking of these up to 75 meters. It also has automatic emergency braking. Because your safety is paramount.

Did you expect to find such a car? We warn you: “Attractive from every angle”