PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT: THE FUTURE IS NOW

1 February

10 minute read

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Since the announcement of its name at the Paris Motor Show last October, we have been looking forward to it! It was in the heart of the American temple of play that the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT was unveiled to the general public on 5 January at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. With PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT, the future is now.

Allure: a revisited design, still feline and attractive

At first glance, one recognises the look of a PEUGEOT vehicle. Once again, the Lion has stamped its inimitable mark: the feline aspect dominates but the codes have been shaken up. With INCEPTION, PEUGEOT enters a new era. The Latin root of its name says a lot about the meaning of the new direction taken by the Marque: Inception comes from the Latin "inceptio" which means beginning. This new Concept Car is a real manifesto that introduces the Marque's new design language, as Matthias Hossann, PEUGEOT's Design Director, explains:

"PEUGEOT is changing, but the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT remains unmistakably a PEUGEOT. It expresses the timeless feline attraction of the brand and shows how optimistic we are about the future of the car and the emotions it brings. Bright and luminous, the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT reinvents the spatial experience of driving while illustrating some of our reflections that will enable us to reduce PEUGEOT's carbon footprint by 70% by 2030. The transformation of the Brand concerns all aspects of the design, production and life of tomorrow's PEUGEOT. Design is fully involved in this transformation.

This new design evolves between sensual lines and athletic, more geometric and sharp curves, such as the horizontal wing shoulders.

A new and intelligent glazing

The design challenge of the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT is based on the contrast between a dynamic profile - for a feline stance - and a cabin designed as a glass capsule that plunges to the front of the driver's and front passenger's feet.

Seen from the side, the design retains the PEUGEOT codes of an elegant and slender saloon, while from a bird's eye view, it guides us towards a near future: that of electric cars designed on dedicated platforms. The magic of the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT is to dare a perfectly fluid transition between the exterior and interior design, thanks in particular to its exclusive glazing which creates a subtle dialogue between the exte-rior and the interior.

The metallic pigments in its bodywork are coloured according to the environment, and its glass surfaces are able to absorb heat and ultraviolet rays thanks to NARIMA® glass (a process initially used for the visors of astronaut helmets by NASA).

The three claws: an emblematic signature

The stern of the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT, which reflects the new front-end signature, has been given a very high-tech treatment, with the three claws seeming to enter the car infinitely, thanks to the two layers of glass, creating a truly magical effect.

The front grille, crossed across its width by three thin horizontal bars, is made of a single piece of glass which houses the luminescent PEUGEOT logo with a 3D effect in its centre. Once again, we find the luminous signature composed of the three claws. In addition, a flush screen called the Tech Bar passes through the skin of the doors to broadcast messages to the outside of the car.

The wheels combine aerodynamics and aesthetics to great effect. Inside, the brake caliper is recovered with mirror glass. Forged textile inserts enhance the aerodynamic design. This offbeat design aspect echoes the glass parts of the new Hypersquare i-Cockpit®, bow and stern of the Concept Car.

Excellence: supercar performance

The PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT is designed on one of the four future "BEV-by-design" platforms of the Stellantis group. The arrival of this new range of platforms from 2023 onwards will revolutionise the PEUGEOT of tomorrow. The STLA Large platform, on which the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT is based, has the silhouette of a low (1.34 m) and efficient saloon, 5.00 m long.

The 100% electric PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT is equipped with 800 V technology. Its 100 kWh battery allows it to travel 800 km on a single full charge, the distance from Paris to Marseille or from Brussels to Berlin. Its fuel consumption is remarkable at only 12.5 kWh per 100 km. The battery charges the equivalent of 30 km of range in one minute, or 150 km in five minutes.

Thanks to its two compact electric motors, one at the front, the other at the rear, the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT is equipped with four-wheel drive for the excellence of fully controlled dynamic driving. The combined power is close to 680 hp (500 kW). Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in less than 3 seconds.

The excellence of the technology on board the platform family is reflected in the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT by the Steer-by-Wire. It does away with the steering wheel as we have known it for decades, in favour of a Hypersquare control where digital electric controls replace the mechanical links.

Emotion: a sublimated feeling

The PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT propels you into a new dimension, between dream and reality, promising intense emotions as soon as you approach it, touch it or enter it.

The interior of the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT is the result of advanced research into the profound trans-formation of the on-board ambience. Here, black has been completely banished in favour of a play of reflections created by the combination of light filtered by multi-chrome glass and materials with relatively neutral metallic tones.

Hypersquare and Halo Cluster: new sensations with an avant-garde i-Cockpit®

Get ready! From 2025 onwards, PEUGEOTs will no longer have a steering wheel, but a control called Hypersquare. This is a steering module in the form of a screen with four recesses for gripping. These cells have controls on the inside that are easily accessible with the tip of the thumb. We discover a gesture close to the one we develop daily with our smartphones. The intuitive aspect offers a high level of security. Above, the Halo Cluster is a mobile circular digital display. The dashboard disappears, as does the crossbar and the apron. With this totally open view of the road, occupants gain new perspectives and experiences, increasing the excitement of being on board tenfold.

Steer-by-Wire: a revolutionary architecture

Prior to the development of this concept car, PEUGEOT tested and integrated the Steer-by-Wire technology on prototypes in order to develop this innovation and push the boundaries of ease of driving, safety and reliability for regulated use. The physical steering column disappears, allowing the new architecture on board.

Comfort Fit: a customised seat

The Comfort Fit is a seat that adapts to the morphology of each passenger. The seats and floor are covered in 100% recycled polyester velvet, with a very metallic sheen to play with the light diffused by the glass capsule. The seats also have real adjustable mattresses at shoulder level. This electro-welded upholstery, which is easy to recycle, is made from inflatable pockets recovered from classic seats.

Hi-fi Premium FOCAL

Amplified sensations are achieved through audio and PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT is equipped with a Premium Hi-Fi system from FOCAL, a French brand specialising in Hi-Fi audio. The spatialisation of the sound in the cabin is optimal with tailor-made locations.

PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT is a showcase for the new techniques that the Lion Brand will deploy to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 50% by 2030 in Europe and become fully Carbon Net Zero by 2038. In addition, the ambition is to bring most of the innovations presented by PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT to production vehicles by 2025.

Go behind the scenes of the creation of PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT in video.

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