Peugeot Inception Concept previews brand's future products from 2025 onwards

MANILA: Peugeot has introduced the Inception Concept — after providing a teaser for the model — that will usher in a new era for the company and capture its vision for next electric vehicles.

The Peugeot Inception Concept — which features a ground-breaking exterior and interior design as well as the next-generation Peugeot i-Cockpit and cutting-edge Hypersquare control system with steer-by-wire technology — will serve as an inspiration for the automaker's upcoming products starting in 2025 with the aim of putting the majority of its innovations into production.

The Peugeot Inception Concept, which is based on the STLA Large chassis, is propelled by a 100kWh battery with a 497-mile (800 kilometers) range. The Inception sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds thanks to two electric motors with a combined output of about 680 horsepower. The model also has wireless induction charging capabilities and 800V technology, which allows it to add 93 miles (150km) of range in just five minutes.

Linda Jackson, CEO of the Peugeot brand, 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 paves the way for a radical transformation for the brand, as represented by the Inception Concept.”

A new, easier-to-understand, and more sophisticated design language for the Peugeot brand will be used starting in 2025 on new cars. It has a brand-new light signature up front that combines the carmaker's recognizable claw design with the front grille to form a single piece that also contains the sensors. This is formed of a single piece of glass that has the logo enlarged by the 3D luminous effect in the center.

A Tech Bar runs horizontally through the door layer. This flush screen emits different messages to the outside of the car when the driver and passengers approach it. The artificial intelligence equipped on this concept car makes it possible to recognize the driver in order to set up the comfort settings — seat posture, temperature, driving mode and multimedia preferences — desired by each occupant. In addition, the Tech Bar also displays the battery charge level and houses many sensors and radars, leaving the bodywork completely smooth.

Meanwhile, seven meters of glazing to create a glass capsule for the passenger compartment that plunges to the driver and front passenger’s feet. All the glazing in the windscreen, side windows and quarter window is made from glass designed for architecture. Adapted to the Peugeot Inception Concept, it retains its exceptional thermal qualities and benefits from a multi-chrome treatment with metal oxides, a process initially used for the visors of astronauts' helmets by NASA.

The Peugeot Inception Concept's distinctive design is completed by an exclusive body color that emphasizes the bodywork's features and interacts with the environment, much like the glazing, by tinting in response to it. Because the paint is single-coated, much less energy is used to apply it.

The Peugeot Inception Concept has a low 1.34 meter, five meter length, and an economical saloon silhouette. It is built on the STLA Large platform, one of four upcoming "BEV-by-design" platforms from Stellantis Group. The Peugeots of the future will undergo a revolution when this new lineup of platforms debuts in 2023. They offer significant architectural variations that were specifically designed for electricity, allowing designers to totally redesign the passenger compartment of the Peugeot Inception Concept.

The new "BEV-by-design" native electric platforms will also feature the artificial intelligence-powered STLA Brain, STLA SmartCockpit, and STLA AutoDrive technology modules. Future Peugeot vehicles will use STLA Brain artificial intelligence and be fully networked, similar to the Inception car.

The Peugeot Inception Concept delivers an agile driving experience and an entirely new, more intuitive i-Cockpit thanks to its revolutionary Hypercontrol control technology. The Hypersquare control system, which was inspired by video games, replaces the traditional steering wheel with digital electric controls and steer-by-wire technology.

An information-distribution tablet-style screen occupies the middle of the Hypersquare. To make accessing the desired control easier, the pictograms for the various features (ADAS, radio volume, air conditioning) are shown on the two side panels. The latter can be accessible by simply moving your thumb inside the corresponding circular recesses, all while keeping your hands on the steering wheel.

The Stellantis STLA SmartCockpit technology platform and STLA AutoDrive are also included in the next-generation i-Cockpit, enabling Level 4 autonomous driving. In order to provide a different passenger compartment experience when driving is delegated, Hypersquare retracts and a huge panoramic screen folds out from the floor.

Before the end of the decade, Peugeot wants to put the Hypersquare on one of its next-generation vehicles.

Inside, the Peugeot Inception Concept has a minimalist driver-only cockpit that is devoid of a bulkhead, dashboard, or crossbar, giving the driver an unobstructed view of the road.

Throughout the interior, sustainable "molded textiles" are also used. Load-bearing or trim elements are created using leftover 100% polyester fabric from suppliers or the prototyping workshops at the design center. The floor-length, 3D-patterned velvet used to cover the seats is created entirely from recycled polyester and serves as a floor mat.

Peugeot's Inception Concept serves as a demonstration of the innovative methods it will use to cut its carbon footprint by more than 50% by 2030 in Europe and achieve carbon net zero status by 2038.

Peugeot will introduce five new 100% electric models over the course of the following two years, and by 2030, all of the company's vehicles marketed in Europe will be electric.

All Peugeot vehicles will have electrified powertrain options starting in 2023. For the Peugeot 3008 and Peugeot 5008, a new hybrid powertrain will be fitted, and the business will provide the best range yet on the well-known Peugeot e-208. Additionally, this year will see the arrival of the e-308 and e-308 SW.

In 2023, the electrification of the Peugeot portfolio will pick up dramatically. All Peugeot models will offer one or more electrified powertrain options throughout the first half of that year. With the widest "e-choice" in Europe, the automaker will get closer to its aim of only selling battery electric vehicles (BEV) in Europe by 2023. All three of the company's light commercial vehicles already come with a fully electric drivetrain (LCV).

Photos from Peugeot

Also read: Peugeot 308 named as finalist for 2023 Autobest award