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Coming Soon: Peugeot Inception Concept
Inception Concept teases design and tech for Peugeot’s next generation of all electric cars
Words by: Dan Trent
Published on 12 January 2023 | 0 min read
With its new Inception Concept Peugeot is previewing the styling and technology coming to support its next generation of all-electric cars. Having committed to having a fully electrified range by this year (including hybrid models) and introducing five new all-electric models by 2025, the Inception Concept has an important role demonstrating how this may look and work. This includes the next generation version of Peugeot’s already distinctive i-Cockpit seen on its current cars and the introduction of a so-called Hypersquare control system with fully electronic ‘steer by wire’ technology.
Like many manufacturers, Peugeot uses shared technology based around common platforms, the one under the Inception Concept known as ‘STLA Large’, an abbreviation some observers are already referring to as ‘Stella’, given it comes from the Stellantis group of which Peugeot is a part.
Like many manufacturers, Peugeot uses shared technology based around common platforms, the one under the Inception Concept known as ‘STLA Large’, an abbreviation some observers are already referring to as ‘Stella’, given it comes from the Stellantis group of which Peugeot is a part.
Key features include a large battery for a range just shy of 500 miles and a twin-motor arrangement with a combined 680 horsepower and 0-62mph in less than three seconds. Of more importance to everyday EV drivers is the ability to add 93 miles to the range in just five minutes (assuming a suitably powerful charger) and the potential for wireless induction charging, just like your mobile phone. Again, this will require suitable infrastructure but demonstrates Peugeot’s ambitions.
Concept cars are all about showing off future design themes, the Inception featuring a new interpretation of Peugeot’s claw-themed lighting signature under a single glass panel across the front of the car. There’s also a huge glazed area for the body, extending all the way forward but treated with a reflective coating similar to that used by NASA for spacesuit helmets to stop it turning into a greenhouse on hot days.
Concept cars are all about showing off future design themes, the Inception featuring a new interpretation of Peugeot’s claw-themed lighting signature under a single glass panel across the front of the car. There’s also a huge glazed area for the body, extending all the way forward but treated with a reflective coating similar to that used by NASA for spacesuit helmets to stop it turning into a greenhouse on hot days.
The so-called Hypersquare system combines a videogame controller inspired, oblong shaped steering ‘wheel’ with a touch-screen at its centre and shortcuts to systems like infotainment and ventilation via scrolling graphics you activate with your thumbs. The idea being although the car is packed with tech you can safely operate it without taking your hands off the wheel.
The ‘steer by wire’ technology meanwhile means this is connected to the wheels via the electronic control systems rather than a physical column. This means when you activate the autonomous driving the Hypersquare steering wheel can actually fold away to free up space for a large, panoramic screen to emerge from the floor. So-called ‘tech bars’ in the doors meanwhile illuminate to indicate things like charge level and other information as you approach the car from the outside. This all sounds very space age and not all of the tech is going to be in production Peugeots any time soon. But you can expect to see many of the design themes in the many and various cars built on the STLA platform and paints an exciting picture of the brand’s electrified future.
The ‘steer by wire’ technology meanwhile means this is connected to the wheels via the electronic control systems rather than a physical column. This means when you activate the autonomous driving the Hypersquare steering wheel can actually fold away to free up space for a large, panoramic screen to emerge from the floor. So-called ‘tech bars’ in the doors meanwhile illuminate to indicate things like charge level and other information as you approach the car from the outside. This all sounds very space age and not all of the tech is going to be in production Peugeots any time soon. But you can expect to see many of the design themes in the many and various cars built on the STLA platform and paints an exciting picture of the brand’s electrified future.
