Peugeot preparing CLA-fighting sedan?

A new report finds France’s Peugeot is busily developing a premium sedan that will compete head-to-head against the Audi A3 Sedan and the popular Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.

Tentatively called 408 GT, the car will wear an aggressive front end characterized by sharp headlights, wide air dams and Peugeot’s signature floating grille. It will boast an elegant, low-slung silhouette that will enable it to stand out from the more family-oriented 508.

The 408 GT’s cabin will reflect Peugeot’s ambitious upmarket shift by packing a full panoply of high-tech equipment including electronic driving aids, a heads-up display and a touch screen-based infotainment system. All but the lowest-priced trim levels will come standard with leather upholstery on the seats and chrome trim on the dashboard and on the center console.

408 GT buyers will be able to choose from a wide palette of engines borrowed from the 308 hatchback. The output of the gas-burning mills will vary between 130 and 270 horsepower, while the diesel-burning units will go from 120 to 180 ponies. Power will be sent to the front wheels via either a manual or a dual-clutch transmission.

A diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain similar to the HYbrid4 system currently offered on several Peugeot and Citroën products will round out the lineup. Made up of a diesel-burning four-cylinder and a small electric motor linked to a lithium-ion battery pack, the drivetrain will transfer power to all four wheels.

If the rumor proves true, the 408 GT will bow as a thinly-veiled concept at a major auto show in 2015 and go on sale across Europe shortly after. The car will also be sold – and possibly built – in China.

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