Order books open for First Edition of Peugeot’s 408 plug-in hybrid

Order books have opened for the First Edition of Peugeot’s chic 408 plug-in hybrid which links a 1.6 litre petrol engine to an 81kW electric motor. 

Be sharp; only 50 are coming to the UK and all will be sold on Peugeot’s online digital platform with deliveries by February. 

Priced at £43,250, with an electric-only range of about 39 miles, and painted in a fetching Obsession Blue metallic paint which reflects the light differently on the bodywork, this tranche comes with a 225hp plug-in hybrid powertrain and extras based on the GT trim level. 

These includes 20in diamond cut alloy wheels, 7.4kW on-board charger, the latest compact steering wheel, 3D ­digital instrument cluster, 10in touch screen and natural voice recognition. 

Also included is an exclusive ‘Electric Pack’ which offers customers a charging support package at no extra cost.

BMW’s M2 compact coupe coming to UK

If, like me, you have an unofficial ‘I Spy’ book of BMWs that come roaring into your rear-view mirror before hurtling past, here’s another one to add to your list. 

From the Bavarian firm’s motorsport arm comes the highly-charged two-door M2 compact coupe. 

Powered by a twin-turbo, high-revving 460hp ‘straight-six’ cylinder 3-litre engine, it does rest to 62mph in just 4.1 seconds with top speed limited to 155mph (177mph with the extra-cost M Race Track package). 

BMW says it builds on its predecessor, which sold 60,000 to make it the M-Power division’s biggest seller, with enhanced specification and even greater performance including an extra 90hp. 

There’s also a manual version to ‘heighten the classic high-performance sports car feel’, says BMW. 

It’s launched in the UK next May from £61,495. It will be built in Mexico alongside the new 2 Series Coupé.