The lion brand has just lifted the veil on a new model. Its name is 408, a code that had not yet been used. And it adopts a body in the original format. The 408 indeed offers a slightly raised driving position and clearly visible protections around the wheels, but it remains quite low and with an elongated silhouette, a bit like a station wagon. The final touch is a plunging roof at the rear, coupe style. At 4.69 meters long, this 408 is intended as an alternative to the 308 saloon, and in particular to its estate version. Inside, we stay very close to the last 308, with the latest version of Peugeot’s 3D i-cockpit. In terms of engines, the 408 will be launched only with the 8-speed automatic transmission, with two plug-in hybrid engines, 180 and 225 horsepower. As far as the thermal engine is concerned, exit the Diesel. There is only a 130 horsepower gasoline engine. Eventually, an electric version could arrive. The car will be produced in France and will arrive in 2023.
And still among French manufacturers, DS will soon present its new high-end SUV…
We are talking about the DS7 Crossback, which will simply be called DS7. The Stellantis group brand has planned to unveil it on its site on June 27. It evokes elegant and dynamic lines for this large SUV. According to the trade press, DS made changes to both the front and rear. And under the hood, the DS7 could benefit from the Peugeot 508 PSE’s 360 hp plug-in hybrid engine.
Could Germany oppose the end of the combustion engine?
If Mercedes and Volkswagen approve the decision of the European Parliament, which voted to abandon engines in 2035, on new vehicles, it is more complicated at the political level, across the Rhine. The German environment minister, who is an ecologist, is for it. But as it is a coalition in power, the finance minister who is not from the same party, has just made it known that he is against it. And this, on the grounds that in countries less developed than Germany, it will not be possible for all cars to go electric in 2035. We must therefore continue to develop technologies around the internal combustion engine for the markets. export. And it would be clumsy for him to ban these technologies on the internal market. It is up to the head of government to decide. And the whole question is whether other governments of other countries could declare the same opposition, which could lead to a rejection of the text by the Council of the European Union, which would then impose a second reading on Parliament.
And then a bit of nostalgia to end…
With a 4,000 km rally in a vintage car for a retro tour of Europe. The Blue Rally offers a tourist route through six countries in Mini, 2 CV, 4L and Cox. It will take place from July 7 to 21, 2022. Open to students, active and retired, the Blue Rally Europe is an intergenerational rally that conveys the values of mutual aid and cultural discovery, announce the organizers.