The Hypersquare will be paired with Peugeot's 21-inch panoramic curved infotainment system, positioned on the dashboard.

According to reports, Peugeot's rectangular-steering wheel 'Hypersquare', previewed on its Inception Concept car in 2023, will enter production in 2026.

Linda Jackson, CEO, Peugeot, confirmed that the rectangular steering wheel will come with steer-by-wire technology. The timeline for its introduction coincides with the arrival of the band's 208 supermini and 2008 crossover offerings. Jackson stated that the rectangular steering wheel has already been installed on test vehicles and trialled by "customers across Europe".

The Hypersquare will be paired with Peugeot's 21-inch panoramic curved infotainment system, positioned on the dashboard.

Peugeot CEO, stated, "The next stage for us is going to be Hypersquare." Jackson, further mentioned, "We’re going to take and evolve the steering control. We’ve moved from a beautiful, round, little steering wheel, into a very ‘tech’ arena, which is more based on a gaming-type idea."

The CEO further explained, "Not only do we think it’s technically superior, but it’s also linked to another technology in steer-by-wire, which is important as it enhances something that is absolutely fundamental for Peugeot: the pleasure of driving. It’s agile, flexible and offers easy agility, and that’s what we want to create."

She also stated, "While we all love to have a car that looks beautiful, is it beautiful inside? Is it practical? Is it ergonomically designed around you? Does it give you the right infotainment? For me, the interior becomes more important than the exterior."

Source: Autocar UK

I wish it had around 280-300 BHP, that would have been perfect to make this car a pocket rocket.

BHPian raj_5004 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The car has now done 3,000 kms. A few observations:

1. If not cancelled, the indicator volume increases after 20 seconds (when the vehicle speed is above 60 kmph).
2. While driving at night, the car switches to high beam automatically if it senses a poorly lit patch and it switches to low beam again if any car approaches from the opposite direction.
3. The "Matrix LED" headlights are outstanding and we do not really feel the absence of fog lights.
4. Ride quality is expectedly stiff, but handling is top-notch.
5. The steering feel and feedback is fabulous, feels like a go-kart.
6. Drive Assist 2.0 lets the driver relax and it manages to drive on straight roads by itself, but it forces the driver the keep hands on the steering wheel every 15 or so seconds. A light tap is not enough, you need to firmly hold the steering, or else it will warn the driver and cancel the drive assist. I feel it kinda defeats the purpose, but I do understand the safety aspect of it.
7. There is no normal cruise control, only adaptive cruise control which maintains a safe distance from the car in front. This is obviously not practical in real-world driving and I prefer to use the speed-limited function and drive manually.
8. On Peugeot's styling and cabin feel, even in a city like Dubai, the car with its aggressive styling and the DRL "fangs" manages to turn a lot of heads.
9. The powertrain is indeed a letdown even now. The 1.6 motor has been tuned to 225 bhp on the 408. Personally for me, coming from the V8 engine in my car, I do feel that it's just "adequate". My wife though feels the power is sufficient for her needs. I wish it had around 280~300 bhp, that would have been perfect to make this car a pocket rocket. Because the chassis can very well handle and mask speed.
10. Also, what needs to be improved though is the smoothness of the power delivery, the car feels jerky at low speeds.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

A colleague came up to me and said that it looked like the first copy (replica) of a Lamborghini Urus.

BHPian raj_5004 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Greetings from the city of dreams - Dubai.

City of dreams, indeed it is. Because like every auto enthusiast's dream, this place has blessed me with the opportunity to own amazing cars without worrying about high EMIs or fuel costs. Thus, this would be my 7th ownership thread in 9 years.

Typically, we have two cars in the family - one for myself and one for my wife. Our car ownership in this country is as below:

1. 2014 // Mitsubishi Lancer
2. 2016 // Ford Mustang
3. 2017 // Ford Fusion
4. 2019 // Chrysler 300S
5. 2020 // Peugeot 3008
6. 2023 // RAM 1500

This thread is about our new acquisition - a Peugeot 408.

To briefly summarize the car -

Likes:

• The way it looks, undoubtedly a head turner. Especially the GT with those 20" gorgeous wheels
• The cabin look and feel. The materials used and the customizable instrument cluster
• Refined 1.6 Turbo motor with 215 bhp
• In Peugeot speak, the "LED Matrix" headlights do a splendid job of lighting up the roads
• Fantastic ground clearance of 188 mm
• Plethora of safety, comfort and tech features

Dislikes:

• Climate control is integrated into the screen, physical buttons would have been easier
• 8 speed gearbox is slow to shift
• Looks bigger in pictures than in real
• Peugeot's mediocre after sales experience and high service costs
• Horn is too feeble

I will break this thread down into separate chapters for easier readability.

• Chapter 1: Pre-purchase dilemma
• Chapter 2: The selection process
• Chapter 3: Delivery Experience
• Chapter 4: Initial opinions
• Chapter 5: The details!

# Chapter 1: Pre-purchase dilemma

My wife's 3008 was bought pre-owned in 2020, it was a 2018 model. After 5 years and 110000 kms, the car had started showing its age and we were contemplating a change. Also, the warranty had expired and keeping a French car in the Middle Eastern climate without any protection was not really a comfortable situation. But I had just purchased my truck a few months back and we did not want to put too much pressure on our finances as well. So the plan to change the car never materialized.

Meanwhile, I used to follow Peugeot's Instagram account since we purchased the 3008 and their newer models were really sexy. But what caught my attention in particular was the 408. Since it was not yet launched in the UAE, I forgot about it and never discussed it with my wife. Also, since she was already driving a 3008, another Peugeot was never in consideration.

Somewhere in June 2023, I saw a post on Reddit about a user buying a black 408 in Dubai and that's when I realized the car is now available with dealerships. A few days later, me and my wife were going to a friend's place in my car and she suddenly spotted a car and asked me which one was that car - and yes, it was a 408, again in black. And no words to say - it was a beauty and looked better in real than in pictures. My wife instantly fell in love with the car. Now, she is not really an automobile enthusiast, but she likes good designs.

So, the same weekend, we decided that we would go for a new car. We did not know the price of the 408 till then. Our budget was a max 25L INR. Also, since the used car prices were crazy high, we decided that we would not buy a pre-owned car and would go for a new car this time.

# Chapter 2: The selection process

Like every car lover, I was jumping with joy at the thought of car shopping and this would be our first "new" car purchase in UAE in 9 years. We had shortlisted two cars within our budget - the Peugeot 408 (of course) and the Ford Territory.

Our first stop was in the Peugeot showroom and right at the entrance, they had a gleaming red 408 GT. Just one word - HOT!

The interiors were beautiful too and very high quality, a typical European feel. It was available in two variants:

• Allure - 26.25 Lacs INR
• GT - 31.50 Lacs INR

So, the Allure was in our budget and we checked out this variant too. Quite expected, the base variant was a huge step down from the GT, especially in the interiors and features. Wifey was not interested in the Allure variant and with a bit of disappointment (in regards to the pricing), we moved on to our second choice.

I have been a huge Ford fan, but as soon as we saw and experienced the Territory, I was left unimpressed.

Well, it was surely bigger than the 408 and more spacious too. Also, it has all the necessary features and bling, but the car looked somewhat strange, especially from the side. The tyres looked puny, like a typical Chinese car. That said, the Territory is made in China by JMC (Jiangling Motors Corporation), which I could not decide if it is a good or bad thing. But surely it made the price very attractive. The Territory was available in two variants:

• Trend - 22.26 Lacs INR
• Titanium - 26.46 Lacs INR

So the Territory was not only bigger, it was a whole 5 Lacs cheaper than the 408. So the decision was ought to be simple, but no! We did not need a big car. I had a truck at home when we needed the space. The Territory was fine as a family car, but it was selling like hotcakes due to its price. The 408 on the other hand felt "special". Be it the styling, the "thud" of the doors, the build quality, the interior fit & finish... the 408 just felt like a better car.

So, we visited the Peugeot showroom again. We took two test drives. We were already 70% convinced on the car but the test drive sealed our decision in its favor due to its impeccable handling, NVH, performance and I will admit it... the way it turned heads on the road!

So now - we just had to decide on the variant and color.

Variant selection:

The top end GT was surely out of our budget and hence the brain rightly pointed us to go for the base variant "Allure". But it missed out on several features like:

• The unique 20" alloys
• LED matrix headlights
• Leather seats
• 3D instrument console
• Electric seats with memory
• Massage seats
• Sunroof
• Electric tailgate
• Virtual i-toggles
• 360 degree camera
• Lane positioning assist

Definitely the additional 5.25 Lacs INR felt justified for these features. And my wife's previous car (3008) was the base variant, so she surely deserved the top end this time. So 408 GT it is.

Color selection:

My heart was set out on the Obsession blue. The test drive car was black and it looked awesome, but once again her older car was black and it is a pain to maintain, so she rejected that. My wife initially wanted the Titanium grey, but on seeing the color in person, it looked too pale for such a funky design. Her next choice was Elixir Red. We had the biggest confusion between red and blue. To add to the confusion, red was in stock and blue had a waiting of 2~3 months. Finally, we both agreed that red is way too common and we booked an Obsession Blue 408 GT on 17th July 2023. We did not get any cash discount, but the dealer offered free 3M tinting, free registration and as part of the launch offer, we would receive 6 years/200K kms warranty (instead of the standard 5 years/100K kms) and 3 free services.

The sales executive asked us for a second choice in the color and we informed him that it would be red. We were informed that we may get the car in September but maybe it would be in red as Obsession blue is the launch color of the car and is coming in very limited stock. If we wanted to stick with blue, we may have to wait till Oct or even Nov.

# Chapter 3: Delivery Experience

In August, when I followed up with our sales executive, he informed me that the chances of getting blue were negligible, so we had almost decided that we may have to settle for the red color instead of waiting for two more months.

On 4th September, I got a call from our sales executive that our car is arriving in 15 days. I told him that we may wait for the blue color as we are not 100% sure about the red and he pleasantly surprised me by saying a blue car has been allocated to my order!

I quickly proceeded with the loan formalities. The bank released the LPO to the dealer within a week and now the wait began for the car to reach the dealership. The dealer requested 1 day for mandatory software updates on the car, tinting and registration. 21st September was finalized as the D-day.

THE D DAY

We had planned to arrive at the dealership by 6 pm after work. But obviously, I could not remain calm the whole day and I spent my time reading and memorizing the manual of the car, which I downloaded online.

After work, we (me and my wife) rushed to the dealership with some sweets and the sales executive did not really waste any time and took us straight to the car which was hidden inside a black cover -

The unveil -

The sales executive explained to us the basic functions of the car and we set off straight to the fuel pump to fill its belly -

The functions/features were too overwhelming initially and like every French car, had its own quirks. It was late at night, so we just drove off to a Lebanese restaurant near our place, had a sumptuous dinner and called it a day.

# Chapter 4: Initial opinions

Does the Lion pack a punch?

It's "adequate"

The 408 comes with a single engine option here in the UAE - a 1.6 litre turbo motor mated to an 8-speed transmission churning out 215 bhp & 5500 rpm and 300 Nm torque @ 2000 rpm. I would say it's good enough if you are not looking for neck-snapping performance. The NVH of the motor though is a solid 8/10. The car is equipped with paddle shifters, though to be fair, I have not used it as of now since the engine is in its run-in period. So I shall update that in due course.

Fuel efficiency is something that is seldom checked by car owners here, but the car is currently returning 11~12 kms to the litre.

How is the styling?

If looks could kill…

To be honest, the primary reason why we got the 408 was its styling. The chiselled body line and aggressive stance stand out. The luminous effect of the Obsession blue paint is cherry on the top. The LED matrix headlights along with the traditional Peugeot "lion fang" DRLs are a treat to watch, especially at night. The 3D tail lights are a unique touch and give the car the visual appeal of a much more expensive car. The 20" wheels named "Monolith" are so aggressively styled, that many people have asked me if the car is electric or at least hybrid. It looks futuristic.

A colleague came up to me and told me - it looked like the first copy (replica) of a Lamborghini Urus.

Clearly, Peugeot has given priority to styling rather than practicality. Even the ORVMs are shaped like a leaf when viewed upfront. It looks great, so what if it robs of critical visibility!

The only thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is its unusually large and oddly shaped rear bumper. I have no idea why it needed to protrude that much.

Does it ride and corner well?

Firm and planted

With low profile 245/45/20 shoes and a stiff suspension, the dynamics have clearly been tuned more for handling rather than ride comfort. But nowhere does the car feel uncomfortable or unpredictable. I quite like Peugeot's suspension tuning, especially in the 408. The way it handles corners without any body roll (especially during high-speed ramps) while still managing a good ride is exceptional. The suspension does its job without any annoying sounds, knocks or creaks and thus the overall NVH is quite good.

The steering is small (in size and turning ratio), which gives the car an almost go-kart kind of feel. Zipping in and out of traffic is super easy as all it requires is a small flick on the wheel. Surely, at high speeds, the steering weighs up adequately and like every European car, the 408 exudes tremendous poise and stability on the highways.

If I have to complain, I wish the tyre noise was a bit more dampened, especially over rough road surfaces.

Does the cabin feel good?

Typically French!

The first thing that strikes you when you enter the cabin is the quality - be it the material of the dashboard or that used on the door pads or the leather quality. All the panels are well put together and nothing feels cheap or compromised.

Secondly, the design - it's cool and funky. Peugeot is not afraid to take risks with radical designs. Their small steering wheel and high-set instrument console mean that the driver needs to adapt to viewing the instruments over the wheel rather than from in between the spokes. Hence, they have not provided a heads-up display either. Sure, this driving position takes time to get used to but since me and my wife have been driving the 3008, we did not have any issues with this setup as well.

The cabin does feel spacious and even with my driving position (I am 6.1" tall), another person can easily sit behind me. But the car is best suited as a 4 seater as it is not wide enough to comfortably seat 3 adults in the back.

How about features?

In abundance, but misses on some key ones!

The 408 GT is genuinely loaded with all the features you can think of -

• LED matrix headlights with automatic high beam - super bright and looks the part
• Automatic headlights and wipers
• Power foldable and adjustable ORVMs
• Paddle shifters
• 3D digital instrument console - the instrument console is very customizable but the 3D effect indeed looks fancy
• Speed Limiter - my wife loves to use the speed limiter, especially during her office commutes to avoid hefty speeding fines (more convenient than using cruise control)
• Adaptive cruise control
• Driver Assist 2.0 - partial autonomous driving (acceleration, braking and steering), but the car requires the driver to rest his hands on the steering wheel even when it's driving on its own
• Automatic dual zone AC
• Passive vehicle entry/exit - No need to fiddle with the key... unlocks automatically when you are near the car and locks automatically when you walk away
• Auto dimming internal rear view mirror (frameless)
• Electric front seats with memory
• Massage seats (front) - Can select up to 3 different intensities and 5 different massage styles
• Ambient lighting
• Electric tail gate with foot sensor
• Focal Audio system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• Wireless Charger
• Navigation system (powered by Tomtom)
• Virtual i-toggles - quick shortcut toggles to access various infotainment functions (can be customized)

Is it safe?

That's what the safety features suggest!

Euro NCAP has given it a 4-star rating. The car surely feels very well-built and tough. The below safety features boost our confidence -

• 6 Airbags
• ABS / EBD / ESC
• TPMS
• Front & Rear parking sensors
• 360 degree camera
• Driver Attention alert
• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind Spot detection
• Lane Keep assist
• Lane positioning assist
• High beam assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Rear cross traffic alert

How does it feel to own a Peugeot 408?

Special.

Walk up to the car and you immediately notice the striking styling, very unique and attractive. As soon as you get closer to the car, the LED DRLs light up to acknowledge your presence. If it's night, the headlights also light up your path. Move closer to the door, the car unlocks and the mirrors unfold. Another set of lights with the Peugeot logo light up the side of the car next to the front doors.

Open the door, and the driver's seat slides backwards to let you slide in comfortably. Close the door with a reassuring thud and you immediately notice the digital cluster and its welcome animation. The blue Nappa leather seats with their green contrast stitching embrace you into a level of luxury not expected in this segment. Switch on the car, the Focal audio is the next to impress you. Look around and small touches like the touch-sensitive cabin lamps, panoramic sunroof, damped glovebox/grab handles, seatbelt reminder for all 5 seats, green stitching on the dashboard (same as the seats) leaves you nothing but impressed.

Continue reading raj_5004's initial ownership experience for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

Could this be a worthy rival to the Ather 450X, Hero Vida V1 and the likes?

The Peugeot Kisbee electric scooter has been spotted in India for the first time. Could this be a worthy rival to the Ather 450X, Hero Vida V1 and the likes?

The spy images show two test mules, one of which is petrol-powered, while the other is said to be an all-electric version of the Kisbee. Both have a similar design featuring a U-shaped headlamp cluster with integrated turn indicators and a sleek handlebar fairing.

The ICE version of the Kisbee is powered by a 49.9cc 2-stroke engine that makes 3.48 BHP and 3.2 Nm. The scooter rides on 12-inch alloy wheels with telescopic fork suspension at the front and a single shock absorber at the rear.

Peugeot Motorcycles is owned by Mahindra. Hence, there’s a good chance that the company would be evaluating the Kisbee and other relevant products for the Indian market.

Source: Zigwheels

The Citroen Jumpy is a re-badged version of the Peugeot Expert van.

What is believed to be a third-generation Peugeot Expert has been spotted testing in Manali.

It is unlikely that the PSA Group will launch the Expert here, and this could be used for component testing. But Citroen could launch the Jumpy in India. The Jumpy is a re-badged version of the Expert van.

The Expert is powered by diesel engines ranging from 1.6L to 2.0L producing between 94 BHP and 177 BHP.

The Citroen Berlingo MPV has also been spotted testing in the country.

Thanks to BHPian AdityaDeane for sharing this with other enthusiasts.

Peugeot is under investigation by the French courts for consumer fraud in connection to its diesel vehicles.

Peugeot is reported to be under investigation by the French courts over charges of consumer fraud in connection to the sale of its diesel vehicles.

The investigation is focussing on Peugeot's diesel vehicles sold in France between 2009 and 2015. The investigation is part of a larger probe set up in 2017, to check allegations of manufacturers of diesel vehicles cheating in emission tests.

The judicial courts of Paris have also summoned Citroen and FCA Italy in the coming weeks in connection with the same investigation. Both Citroen and FCA are also part of the recently formed Stellantis Group.

The French courts have also ordered Peugeot to provide a guarantee of 30 million Euros for the potential compensation for losses. The company will also have to shell out an additional 10 million Euros as bail - 8 million Euros for the potential payment for damages and the balance 2 million Euros to ensure the company's representation in the court.

The company has confirmed the development, while also stating that Peugeot is accessing its defence options for the case. Stellantis also stated that its emission control systems have met all applicable requirements at the relevant time and continue to do so.

The Peugeot 208s are probably being used for component testing.

Test mules of the Peugeot 208 hatchback have been spotted once again. This time, the cars were seen parked at TCS Thoraipakkam in Chennai.

The 208 has been seen on Indian roads, right from the day the PSA Group announced its plan to enter the Indian market. Earlier, we have also seen a fleet of 208s that were registered with the Pune RTO.

While it is unclear if the 208 will be offered in India, the cars are probably being used for component testing. More specifically, Citroen could be testing powertrains for its upcoming models. That includes the C3 crossover which is expected to be powered by a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine and could be paired with either a 5-speed manual or a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

On the other hand, if Peugeot does introduce the 208 in India, it could compete with the likes of the Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz.

Thanks to BHPian DurangoDude for sharing these images with other enthusiasts!

The 2008 is likely to be testing components that would go into future Citroen offerings.

The Peugeot 2008 has been spotted testing in India for the first time. The crossover was spotted somewhere around the PSA plant near Chennai.

The Peugeot 2008 is based on the CMP1 platform - the same modular architecture that will underpin the upcoming Citroen CC21 crossover. The 2008 measures 4.3 meters in length and has a wheelbase of 2.5 meters.

The Peugeot 2008 is unlikely to be offered in India as the PSA Group will be focusing on the Citroen brand. Therefore, the car is likely to be testing components that would go into future Citroen offerings.

It is believed that the 2008 could be testing the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that would power the CC21. This engine comes in three states of tune ranging from 98 BHP to 151 BHP.

Source: Autocar India

Stellantis is the fourth-largest automobile group in the world. It has industrial operations in over 30 countries across the world and the capability to cater to over 130 markets.

The merger of Fiat Chrysler and PSA has been completed. Stellantis - the new entity formed by this merger, has its headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The company has 11 members on its board of directors with John Elkann as chairman and Carlos Tavares as CEO. It has formed 9 governance committees to take care of operations including company-wide performance and strategy, planning, regions, manufacturing, brand and styling.

Stellantis is the fourth-largest automobile group in the world. It has industrial operations in over 30 countries across the world and the capability to cater to over 130 markets. The company already has presence in Europe, North America and South America and is looking to expand its reach in China, India, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania.

The new company is offering vehicles in almost all segments of the market under different brands including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall. It has 29 electrified models in its line-up at present and plans to add 10 more.

Source: ET Auto

The Django looks like a scooter from the 1960s.

Peugeot's retro-styled Django 125 scooter has been spotted in India.

The Django 125 is a pretty unique looking scooter. Unlike the Vespa, which is a modern interpretation of a classic, the Django looks like a scooter from the 1960s. It has dual-tone bodywork with chrome trim and a vertically oriented tail lamp. Even the wheels are painted white.

The scooter has a split seat with large silver grab handles on either side and chrome mirrors. Besides these retro-styled bits, it has a round instrument cluster that has a small screen.

The Django 125 is powered by a 124.6cc, single-cylinder engine that produces 10 BHP and 8.9 Nm.

Since last year, Peugeot has also been testing the Pulsion maxi-scooter in India.

Source