Peugeot Inception Concept: a preview of the Peugeot models arriving in 2025

Peugeot aims to be the leading electric brand in Europe by 2030. But many of its rival brands share that same goal, so at Peugeot they are tackling the challenge with a radical transformation of the brand. The Peugeot Inception Concept marks the starting point of that shift, with which Peugeot looks toward the future. An innovative prototype, even in the way it is presented to the press: directly in the metaverse.

The “manifesto” that, according to Peugeot, will inspire the brand’s future electric models rests on three pillars: revolutionary design, new driving emotions with an innovative driving position, and a new architecture for an unmatched driving experience. We will see whether all of this materialises, as the brand claims, in the models that will start arriving from 2025.

In the meantime, here is a preview of this interesting concept car: a four-door saloon with the rear doors opening against the direction of travel and a coupé silhouette, with two electric motors producing 500 kW (680 CV), a 100 kWh battery with 800-volt technology, and an range of 800 km.

Design of the Peugeot Inception Concept

Frankly, I don’t think this way of interpreting passenger space, as a fully glazed cabin like that of the Inception Concept, will be incorporated into the future Peugeot models we will see from 2025. On the prototype, there are no less than 7.25 square metres of glazed surface, with a “multi-chrome” treatment like that used on astronauts’ helmet visors.

I would rather keep the evolution of that feline gaze, along with features such as more geometric shapes and a more horizontal waistline, which will undoubtedly make the new Peugeot models more recognisable. Among the prototype’s interesting features, some of which we could see to a greater or lesser extent on a production car, the paint with metallic pigments stands out, as do the front grille designed like a glass mask integrating the light units and all kinds of sensors, or the new signature on the angular rear, with a double layer of glass that makes the lights appear to float.

The Peugeot Inception Concept also innovates with the so-called “Tech Bar”, a kind of screen running along the side that can display messages when the driver or passengers approach the car. The “Aerorim” wheels repeat the axially symmetrical design already presented on the new Peugeot 408, in this case with the illuminated brand emblem that stays static while the wheel turns, and with the brake caliper covered by a mirror-finish material.

Hypersquare: the evolution of the Peugeot i-cockpit

The interior revolution that Peugeot wants to launch with the new Hypersquare control system is not one I see as very viable for a production car, at least not in the short term. Although it must also be acknowledged that Peugeot took a gamble with the i-cockpit system ten years ago, and after more than 9 million cars sold with this system, it cannot be said to have gone badly. The fact is that at Peugeot they claim they will introduce this concept in a production vehicle before the end of this decade.

In the Inception Concept, Peugeot reinvents the i-cockpit by replacing the steering wheel and conventional controls with a control concept called Hypersquare, inspired by video games. To achieve this, it was necessary to implement a “by wire” steering system, with no mechanical connection between the element that acts as the steering wheel and the wheels, which makes it possible to do without the classic steering column.

From here, Peugeot proposes as the steering wheel a kind of tablet with circular control zones in its four corners, allowing the various systems to be operated with the thumbs without taking the hands off the control acting as the wheel. The idea is that the Hypersquare can be retracted when level 4 autonomous driving is integrated, making way for a large panoramic screen that unfolds from the floor.

All this is combined with a floating circular screen called HALO behind the control unit, since there is no dashboard as such, only a large digital display. The revolutionary interior design is completed by striking immersive seats that adapt to the morphology of each passenger.

New STLA platform: 680 CV, 800 km of range

In terms of platform and propulsion system, the Peugeot Inception Concept is where it comes closest to the present. The prototype is based on the so-called STLA Large platform, one of the four future electric vehicle platforms of the Stellantis Group, which we will begin to see on production cars as early as this year.

In this saloon with a coupé silhouette, 5 metres long and only 1.34 metres tall, the platform includes a propulsion system with two electric motors, one on each axle, which together deliver a system output of 500 kW (680 CV), allowing an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds to be announced.

But the most interesting thing is that it already contemplates 800-volt technology. Its 100 kWh battery, and an extraordinarily low consumption of 12.5 kWh/100 km, allow Peugeot to play with surprising figures for this prototype. In theory, it could cover 800 km on a single charge, and recover 150 km of range in less than 5 minutes. It is also announced that it is prepared for inductive charging, with no cable required, but without daring to provide performance data for this charging system, which still has a few years ahead before it can truly become a standard.

Peugeot Inception Concept – Image gallery