French automaker Peugeot has given a glimpse of its future design direction with this: the battery-powered ‘Inception’ concept car.
Company bosses have confirmed styling elements of the car – which broke cover at the Consumer Electronics Show in America recently, and has a quoted real-world range of almost 500-miles – will begin to appear on showroom models as soon as 2025.
The front is dominated by a light signature that incorporates Peugeot’s ‘claw design’. Merging with a front grille that is constructed from a single piece of glass, the Lion logo takes pride of place in the centre.
A ‘Tech Bar’ forms part of the ‘Inception’s’ doors and can display messages such as “Hello” or “Goodbye” as well as information on the car’s available range. Artificial Intelligence can also recognise an approaching driver and set up their seat position and multimedia preferences.
As for the body colour, it can manipulate natural light to accentuate the bodywork’s shape. Other talking points include and a 7.25m2area of glazing creates a ‘glass capsule’ for the passenger compartment by extending down to the driver and front passenger’s feet.
The sleek saloon relies on a floor-mounted 100kWh battery that feeds a dual electric motor set-up. Combined, these produce 670bhp and can propel it from 0-62mph in less than three seconds.
Thanks to 800V technology, Peugeot says this guarantees 93-miles of range to be added in the space of five minutes, with recharging of the pack’s cells possible through the use of wireless induction.
Inside the ‘Inception’ a new ‘Hypersquare’ control system takes pride of place and is paired to a “more intuitive” i-Cockpit driver display. Said to be inspired by video games, the conventional steering wheel has been replaced by ‘Hypersquare’ electric controls and steer-by-wire technology.
The cockpit is void of a dashboard, crossbar and bulkhead to provide an open view of the road, with sustainable textiles used throughout; the seats, for instance, are covered with a velvet made from 100% recycled polyester and this extends onto the floor and features 3D patterns to act as a mat.
Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson said: “Peugeot is committed to the electrification of its range. In 2023, our entire line-up will be electrified and in the next two years, five new 100% electric models will be launched.
“Our ambition is simple: to make Peugeot the leading electric brand in Europe by 2030. This objective and ambitious vision pave the way for a radical transformation for the brand, as represented by the ‘Inception’ concept,” she added.
