I mean it's a 1.4 ton car and 170 torque at 1750 isn't the best to get off the line but the 1.2 is a nice and purry engine in the right places of the power band.

Unfortunately, as you've observed, the best bit of the power starts getting delivered at around 3000 rpm and is pretty linear to the red line. That's an eco engine for you.

I recommend a short shift to 2 at around 3.5k-4k rpm and a long hold in the 2nd gear afterwards for the quickest acceleration in that car. But it'll make you feel like it doesn't want to do this. It's a comfortable, and for it's size very lightweight car. It's strength isn't in acceleration but in return you get strong stability in long and fast corners along with effortless breaking feel.

 

I Initially looked at the 1.2 as I had no strong desire to go hybrid. Much like you I suspected a 3 pot 1.2 eco engine would at times be a little lacklustre, something backed up by quite a few reviews. Because I liked the 408 so I went against my better judgement and opted for the hybrid to get the 225bhp performance. I’m glad I did although I’m still not impressed with the battery range.
Does sport mode improve things or does it make things worse? I guess you need to follow the advice and try working the gearbox to suite your driving needs and what’s also pleasing to the ears although defeats the point of a nice auto box.

 

From your original post it sounded like you had the 1.2 puretech so that's why I responded accordingly. The 225 hybrid necessitates a different conversation.

I cannot find dyno test results to see how the power band is like for these machines. Not that it matters much because they're all automatics and you're in the 1% that drives an auto and wants control (welcome to our club, this is a sad and lonely club with a lot of nostalgia and lots of hate on the EU for taxing in such a way that car makers sell detuned engines, cost cut cars with crap exhaust systems and mandatory automatics because they make 1% less co2 emissions so that we can support the 3rd world countries continue to run 80s-90s cars happily).

Ranting aside... One part of the conversation I can attend to is that you're driving a 1.7 tonne car that's trying to be comfortable, economical, and performing at the same time; that's a challenge.

Do you have the adaptive dampers fitted to yours? They're an optional extra on the 408 as far as I know.

 

From your original post it sounded like you had the 1.2 puretech so that's why I responded accordingly. The 225 hybrid necessitates a different conversation.

I cannot find dyno test results to see how the power band is like for these machines. Not that it matters much because they're all automatics and you're in the 1% that drives an auto and wants control (welcome to our club, this is a sad and lonely club with a lot of nostalgia and lots of hate on the EU for taxing in such a way that car makers sell detuned engines, cost cut cars with crap exhaust systems and mandatory automatics because they make 1% less co2 emissions so that we can support the 3rd world countries continue to run 80s-90s cars happily).

Ranting aside... One part of the conversation I can attend to is that you're driving a 1.7 tonne car that's trying to be comfortable, economical, and performing at the same time; that's a challenge.

Do you have the adaptive dampers fitted to yours? They're an optional extra on the 408 as far as I know.

No I do not have adaptive dampers. Nor can I see where these are even an optional extra according to the Peugeot website.

 

Hi, no I did have the 1.2 puretech.
the person responding above isn’t me.

but I thank you for both responses.

like I said, I adore my car. Just slightly perplexed the used a 1.2.

I will try your advice on gear changes though.
Thank you

 

Oh I see, I'm sorry, I should've checked the names but @Spike99 was very good with their impersonation performance 😂🤣

I too adore the 408 I must admit, what a design both in and out.

 

I haven't driven one but the 1.2 puretech engine seems to review well. I would have thought 129Bhp is going to be enough for most people in most situations. What were you driving before though? A small engine with a turbo will deliver power in a different way to a normally aspirated engine. Emissions regulations have driven most manufacturers towards smaller turbo-charged engines. There are some surprisingly big cars being powered by them. Having 3 cylinders is part of the equation (smaller = lighter = more economical) but I've read they often don't feel as refined as a 4-pot lump.

In most cases I'm not sure you'd find it a whole lot different if you switched to a car from different manufacturer. Mazda seems to be one of the few bucking the trend by continuing to turn out cars with normally aspirated, but unusually high compression, petrol engines (the Skyactiv-g). The other half has a Mazda 3 with the 2.0l 120PS version but even that you have to really wind up to feel the grunt. I think it's designed to deliver torque low down & encourage you to drive it more sedately & economically!

 

thank you for this, it’s helped me to understand.

I really hope Peugeot continue this trend with style and a bit of class.

I got mine in Titane grey and it’s stunning. People think I’m driving a lambo 😂

 

I keeping out of this one to avoid further confusion!

 

I keeping out of this one to avoid further confusion!
[/QUOTE
Haha ok mate. Well good luck with your hybrid.
Beautiful car, extra inch wheels, wireless charger, heated and massaging seats (I think) all the things the gt petrol doesn’t have.
You’ve deffo got a few extra perks.

 

🙂 yes definitely pleased and yes comes with lots of goodies but no heated electric seats but has all the other stuff. Took what was on offer as bought from stock, my only mandatory other than standard GT kit was titane grey!

 

Should have gone for white mate 😜 Really shows up all those nice angles.Cant wait to get my GT petrol come January .Woohoo!

 

a nice belated Christmas present! I went for the grey because not only do I like dark cars but also has the added benefit of blending in the rear bumper which is one of the very few things with the 408 they could have done better.

 

Hi! I am waiting to get my 408 GT at the end of the month. Before ordering, I was aware that with Puretech 1.2 this car might not be the best choice for fast driving. But it wasn't an issue for me, I am a regular driver, often on a trip with family.

But now, while waiting for the car, I look more drive tests on the internet and what disturbes me is the noise of engine while accelerating. Is it really so loud as it sounds on the video clips? Is it annoying to you?

 

I can only say that at first I was concerned by how it felt and sounded during the initial gears and the perfect footing needed on the accelerator to get it going without it sounding like a tank. Honestly - I don’t even notice it anymore, maybe I’ve got better with my footing. Maybe the car has worn in a bit, maybe it was never really an issue in the first place and I was nitpicking. it’s a big car at a 1.2 and it’s not fast off the mark but it’s fine and nippy in later gears. I love this car, it’s brilliant.

 

Thanks for the answer. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to do a test drive before ordering. I used to have a Peugeot 308 diesel, I liked that car and I assumed that the new Peugeot would not disappoint me.

I am now changing Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI 150HP for this Peugeot 408 1.2 130HP. I didn't have to, I just fell in love with the new 408 as soon as I saw it and I went for it. But ever since I heard it rumble under acceleration, instead of looking forward to the new car I live in fear that I've made a big mistake. The Octavia is a car of the same size, but it runs smoothly and quietly.

 

Hi my friend, I also had a Skoda octavia before my new 408 and can frankly say that I really miss my octis smoothness and dsg comfort.

 

I had the 3008(2017 onward model) with the 1.2 engine and now have the 408 with the 1.2 engine. The car is just over 12 months old and I find it very quiet, as a long time tinnitus sufferer I am very conscious of noise. The 408 is much quieter than the 3008 at higher speed due to the improved aerodynamics at lower speeds it is very similar to the 3008. Great car and very relaxing to drive.

 

Same here, 11 months and just below 10K km. 408 is quiet and comfortable with 1.2 puretech engine and isolation/aerodynamics.