Peugeot showcases Inception Concept

Two months after its announced the Inception Concept, Peugeot showcased the vehicle that embodies the company’s vision at the ongoing 2023 Consumer Electronic Show (CES).

“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 percent 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,” said Peugeot Design Director Matthias Hossann.

According to the French automotive brand, the Inception Concept is built using one of the four future Stellantis Group “BEV-by-design” platforms.

Noticeable is the vehicle’s Fusion Mask grille, which in keeping with the Lion brand’s feline design, incorporates three emblematic claws. It is made up of a single piece of glass with the logo in the center lined by three thin horizontal bars crossed by the three claws. Per Peugeot, the Fusion Mask grille houses the front-end sensors of the vehicle.

Located on the car’s hood is the Aero Tech Deck, which contains most of the electric vehicle’s maintenance functions including the charging socket and charge monitoring.

To its side are aerodynamic wheels, dubbed the “Aerorim.” All four wheels are made with forged textile inserts, as well as aluminum inserts with micro-perforations. Also notable are the wheels’ illuminated Lion emblem, which according to Peugeot, remains upright even when the wheels are turning.

Its rear-end echoes the same design found at the automobile’s fore. It also features subtle wings with a simple line that spreads into a generous and carnal curve.

Rounding up the unique exterior appointments of the Peugeot Inception Concept is the glazed Narima glass found on its windscreen, side windows, and quarter windows. Per the Paris-based brand, this glass is made using multi-chrome treatment — a process initially used for the visors of astronauts’ helmets by NASA.

Inside, the Peugeot Inception Concept features futuristic design and components. Greeting the driver is the Hypersquare steering wheel with steer-by-wire technology. And while it looks like it came straight out of a video game, the carmaker said that it offers a “completely natural and universal grip of the steering control.”

The Hypersquare steering wheel comes with a tablet-type screen that acts as the vehicle’s instrument panel.

Complementing the ultramodern steering wheel is a similarly revolutionary infotainment system — the Halo Cluster. The innovative screen, Peugeot said, features a circular display and is able to inform the driver of approaching vehicles.

Other notable features of the cabin include the car’s immersive seats, the Focal Hi-Fi Audio system, and the absence of a dashboard.

“Peugeot customers will enjoy a seamless experience, combining physical and human interaction, virtual discussions with the brand, and intelligent online services. The Peugeot Inception Concept reveals some of these major innovations. Future Peugeots based on BEV-by-design platforms will not only be zero-emission, they will also be relaxing and exciting, easy to buy, use and update,” commented Peugeot Marketing and Communications Director Phil York.

Propelling the Peugeot Inception Concept are two compact electric motors: one at the front and one at the rear. The combined power output of the vehicle is estimated to be around 680 horsepower. This setup lets the automobile zoom from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in less than three seconds.

Stopping power comes from brakes, whose calipers are covered with mirror glass.

“ 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 percent 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,” stated Peugeot Product Director Jérôme Micheron.

Photos from Peugeot

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