Peugeot gives us a preview of the future e-208 with the futuristic Polygon prototype

Peugeot has surprised everyone with the unveiling of its new Polygon prototype, a vehicle under four metres long that previews the design direction the upcoming e-208 will likely take, as well as much of the technical specification we can expect from this electric compact.

While this is, for the moment, nothing more than speculation, since the French manufacturer has not commented on the matter, the Polygon incorporates elements that match the rumours that have circulated so far about the future e-208.

In this new prototype presented by the French manufacturer, the traditional steering wheel disappears in favour of the Hypersquare, a rectangular controller with steer-by-wire technology. Thanks to this technology, the steering ratio adapts to speed at every moment. In town, less than one full turn is enough to manoeuvre precisely, while on the road, at higher speeds, the inputs are more sensitive and require less effort. This solution was already hinted at three years ago in the Inception prototype shown at the CES in Las Vegas.

From the future

The cabin of this prototype also features an evolved i-Cockpit. The windscreen integrates a micro-LED display that projects data directly into the driver’s line of sight. The components are also modular and fully replaceable — steering wheel, upholstery, seat foams — to make updates and repairs easier. The entire interior uses forged fabrics and recycled plastics printed in 3D. Another interesting element we cannot fail to mention are its gull-wing doors, which open upwards to improve access to the vehicle’s interior.

As for its technical specifications, based on Stellantis’ STLA platform, the Polygon prototype comes with a battery pack of 82 kWh capacity and is available in three different trims: Urban, Player and Explorer. Some recent rumours suggest, however, that the entry-level version of the future e-208 could get a battery pack with much lower capacity, around 37 kWh. With a hypothetical 82 kWh battery pack in the higher versions, the range of this French compact could be surprising, given its dimensions.

The STLA Small platform, which will debut next year, will be the common base for several Stellantis compact models. The Polygon prototype suggests that Peugeot will bet on a more immersive digital interface, offering greater personalisation, interactive lighting and, for the first time in the group, a steering wheel with steer-by-wire technology. Although some of this prototype’s innovations may not end up carried over to the future e-208, it seems clear that Stellantis’ intention with its future electric models is to make a difference when it comes to innovation.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackPeugeot e-2086 versions · from 35,070 €