Peugeot begins new chapter, shares vision for future of auto industry

MANILA: The Peugeot Inception Concept ushers in a new era and symbolizes the brand's vision for future electric vehicles with a new official message extolling its feline and appealing attitude, its groundbreaking interior design, and its promise of unsurpassed driving experiences. The Peugeot Inception Concept, the first Peugeot Design Manifesto headed by Matthias Hossann, represents the major transformation of the brand.

The name Peugeot Inception Concept, or “Inceptio” in Latin, signifies “the beginning.” There is no other name that more accurately captures the goals of this Peugeot manifesto, which heralds the dawn of a new era for the brand. The Peugeot Inception Concept delivers unique technological perspectives and transports customers on a premium automotive experience, thanks to its creative design.

The majority of the innovations in the Peugeot Inception Concept are expected to be developed starting in 2025.

“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 provides. Bright and full of light, the Peugeot Inception Concept reinvents the spatial experience of driving while illustrating some of our thinking behind reducing Peugeot’s carbon footprint by more than 50% by 2030. The transformation of the brand concerns all aspects of the design, production, and life of tomorrow's Peugeot. Design is an integral part of this transformation,” Peugeot Design Director Matthias Hossann stated.

One of the four upcoming “BEV-by-design” platforms from Stellantis Group serves as the foundation for the Peugeot Inception Concept. The Peugeots of the future will undergo a makeover with the introduction of this new range of platforms in 2023. They offer substantial architectural variations that the designers used to totally restructure the passenger space of the Peugeot Inception Concept since they were made specifically for electrification. They have created a new driving posture and onboard experience for passengers.

The Peugeot Inception Concept is built on the STLA Large platform, which has been given the shape of a low and efficient sedan that is 5 meters long. This was purposefully designed to draw attention to the manifesto's numerous innovations. The platform is included in Peugeot's new official messaging, which stays true to the brand's core values.

The new “BEV-by-design” native electric platforms will also include the STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA Autodrive technological modules.

The Peugeot Inception Concept is 100% electric and has 800V technology. Its 100kWh battery allows it to go 800km on a single full charge. Its consumption is impressive, at  only 12.5kWh per 100km. The battery can charge to a range of 30km in one minute or 150km in five minutes. The Peugeot Inception Concept can recharge by induction, which makes the process simpler without the need for a cable.

The Peugeot Inception Concept is a four-wheel drive vehicle with two compact electric motors, one at the front and the other at the rear, for the best in fully controlled dynamic driving. The total power is around 680hp. The vehicle can accelerate from a standstill to 100kph in less than three seconds.

The Steer-by-Wire in the Peugeot Inception Concept represents the advanced technologies found in the platform family. The traditional steering wheel is replaced with a Hypersquare control, where digital electric controls have taken the place of mechanical links.

“Customers have high expectations of the electric car. Thanks to the new generation of our ‘BEV-by-design’ platforms dedicated to electric vehicles, we will meet their expectations. We are going to surprise them with our future cars’ layout, we are going to simplify the driving gestures and reinvent the driving experience. These goals are now taking shape in the form of the Peugeot Inception Concept. Peugeot’s transformation goes far beyond the sole ambition of becoming 100% electric. The brand will allow you to take full advantage of all the new possibilities offered by electric technology and new software to live new and enriching experiences,” Peugeot Product Director Jerome Micheron said.

A Peugeot can be identified by its feline attitude at first glance. The brand's genes are still present, but the codes have been updated for the brand's current status. The next Peugeot will begin using this new design language in 2025. It is more refined and less complex. Its materials and finish are suitable for the digital world. This new design alternates between sensual lines and athletic curves that are more geometric and angular, like the horizontal wing shoulders.

The Peugeot Inception Concept's design is complicated by the contrast between its sporty profile, which suggests a feline stance, and the glass capsule-shaped passenger space, which plunges in front of the driver and front passenger's feet.

From above, the design takes us into the near future of electric cars built on specialized platforms while maintaining the Peugeot codes of a svelte, elegant sedan when viewed from the side. Due to its exclusive glazing, the Peugeot Inception Concept's charm rests in a flawlessly smooth transition between exterior and interior design.

The three iconic claws from the Peugeot light signature are now incorporated into the front bumper. The entire front grille and the signature part are combined into one piece that also houses the sensors in this new, incredibly distinctive front end. The logo is centered on a single piece of glass, and the 3D luminescent effect magnifies it. Three thin, horizontal bars that are crossed by the three claws adorn this mask. The glass mask, which is itself given a mirror look, contains the four optical modules.

In keeping with the new “BEV-by-design” architecture dedicated to electric vehicles, the Peugeot Inception Concept gives a fresh take on the interior of a grand tourer and creates new, longer seating positions. The raised beltline provides a comfortable safety brace. The front row has a front-facing position and provides a good view of the road.

The second row has a superior view of the outside world, thanks to the large glass surfaces and the improved seat dimensions. Second-row passengers have their own environment and setting zone provided by the glass fronts on the back of the front seats. Every surface in the cabin has received reflection-reducing treatment. This implies that the interior color of the Peugeot Inception Concept changes depending on the lighting and the environment in which it is being driven. Space, comfort, and emotion are all enhanced.

Peugeot's transition to becoming an electric brand means more than just using batteries and electric powertrain in its cars. The Peugeot Inception Concept is a representation of the innovative strategies that Peugeot will use to cut its carbon footprint in Europe by more than 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon net zero status by 2038.

Photos from Peugeot

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