Peugeot 408 GT teased ahead of Beijing 2014 debut

Peugeot will show a new concept car at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show this April, hinting at a small four-door coupe that could rival the Mercedes-Benz CLA.

The prototype will most likely be based on the French firm’s current 308 hatchback – underpinned by PSA Peugeot Citroen’s latest EMP2 platform – and will continue to evolve the brand’s new design direction.

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The concept is thought to be relevant to the Chinese market only, however, as Peugeot already sells a 408 saloon model solely in that territory, based on its older 308 hatch.

Looking at the most recent vehicles in the French firm’s line-up – the RCZ R and the new 308 in particular – both cars reflect styling cues first seen on the 2012 Peugeot Onyx concept car, including the narrow headlight and floating grille design.

The proportions silhouetted in Peugeot’s teaser image above do show the outline of a svelte 4.72m four-door, making it 10cm longer than a Mercedes CLA, but the focus on the 2014 Beijing Motor Show concept will be on interior design.

Speaking to MSN Cars, a Peugeot spokesperson told us that the new car would be “more a preview to the brand’s styling direction, focusing on internal concepts.” As outlined above, Peugeot’s future exterior styling direction is already well known.

Peugeot has made great strides when it comes to quality and technology inside its cars, with the new 2008 and 308 set to move the manufacturer more upmarket, thanks to a clever and very slick touchscreen infotainment system and brilliant material and build quality.

With exterior design no longer at the forefront of the firm’s agenda, it’s thought that a production version of the concept won’t necessarily be that different visually to the regular 308 – albeit sporting a saloon body style.

Given the European market’s less than insatiable appetite for small saloons, it’s not yet clear whether a new road-going 408 – or even a more coupe-like 408 GT – would be offered on the continent or reserved for sale in China-only once again.

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By motoringresearch.com