Peugeot previewed the brand’s future at CES 2023. The automaker revealed the Inception Concept, a radically designed electric vehicle that will inspire future models, including compact models. They should arrive as early as 2025, according to the company.
The concept uses the STLA Large Stellantis platform, measuring 16.4 feet (5 meters) long but only 4.39 (1.34 m) high. It uses 800 volt technology, packs a 100 kilowatt-hour battery and offers a claimed range of up to 497 miles (800 kilometers) on a single charge. Thanks to its induction charging system, the battery can add up to 93 miles (150 km) of range in just five minutes.
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All of those electrons drive the dual-motor setup that gives the Inception all-wheel drive and nearly 680 horsepower (500 kilowatts). That’s enough to send the car to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in less than three seconds.
The EV features the company’s next-generation i-Cockpit with a new Hypersquare control system that replaces the mechanical steering connection with a steer-by-wire system. The heart of this technology is a rectangular video game-inspired steering wheel. Various vehicle controls such as climate and radio volume can be accessed by simply moving your thumb and placing one hand on the steering wheel.
One of the Inception’s most striking design features is the glass, which measures 78 square feet (7.25 square meters). Peugeot used Narima glass, which underwent a metal oxide treatment originally designed to coat the visors of NASA astronaut helmets to coat the glass. This gives the windows a yellow tint while maintaining their thermal qualities.
This concept features Level 4 autonomous driving thanks to STLA AutoDrive. This mode transforms the cockpit from a driver-only space into a comfort-oriented space. The car can retract the Hypersquare steering wheel, remove the dashboard and create a more attractive cabin.
The technology that Peugeot previewed in the car may seem far-fetched, but the automaker hopes to transfer most of the concept’s innovation to production by 2025. Peugeot wants to be Europe’s leading electric brand in 2030 and plans to launch five EVs in the next two years. The automaker has big plans that we can’t wait to see come to fruition.
