Inception

https://www.peugeot.co.uk/about-us/innovation/concept-cars/peugeot-inception-concept.html

Overview

The Peugeot Inception concept is a dramatic statement of the French manufacturer's design, architectural, and technological direction for its next generation of electric vehicles. Unveiled as a sleek, 5-metre-long low-slung saloon, the concept marks a radical step forward for the brand. Built on Stellantis's purpose-built STLA Large electric architecture, the Inception sets the benchmark for future production models. Peugeot's ambitious to reinvent the driving experience and lead the European electric market with cutting-edge tech and striking aesthetics.

Key Features

The Hypersquare Control System is a game-pad inspired, rectangular control interface with four circular touch pads that replaces the conventional steering wheel and uses steer-by-wire technology.
The 360° Halo Cluster is a circular, pillar-mounted display screen that loops around the driver to project vital driving info and multimedia controls.
An Exterior Tech Bar includes flush door-mounted LED screens that communicate messages, display battery charge levels, and recognize approaching passengers to auto-adjust cabin settings.
Smart Glazing for the 7.25-square-metre glass canopy treated with multi-chrome metal oxides for superior thermal management and dynamic color reflection.
Retractable Driving Controls for Level 4 autonomous driving via STLA AutoDrive, which retracts the Hypersquare control panel into the dashboard and deploys a panoramic multimedia screen.
Wireless Induction Charging paired with an advanced 800-volt electrical setup.

Design & Interior

The exterior design abandons soft curves in favour of sharp, geometric creases and an aggressive low-slung GT profile. At the front, a single piece of glass merges the front grille with Peugeot's iconic three-claw light signature, embedding sensors and a 3D luminescent brand logo. The rear coppies this with claw tail-lights set behind a smooth glass panel. Massive aerodynamically-optimised alloy wheels feature symmetrical geometry rather than traditional spokes. The body is finished in a single-coat paint containing metallic pigments that shifts tones depending on the light.

Inside, the cabin breaks traditions with a complete reimagining of Peugeot's i-Cockpit layout. The low dashboard moves controls further down to maximize forward visibility and amplify space. Ergonomic, moldable seats adapt to the body shape of each occupant to improve comfort. Sustainable materials dominate the cabin, featuring raw 3D-printed textiles, recycled velvet, and raw steel elements. The central attraction remains the Hypersquare system, which allows full driver interaction via thumb controls without taking hands off the digital controller, creating a video-game-like interface for daily commuting.

Other Technical Specifications

The platform for the Inception concept is the Stellantis STLA Large EV architecture which allows for dual electric motors and all-wheel drive. This outputs approximately 500 kW of power for a 0–62 mph sprint in under 3.0 seconds. The battery capacity is rated to be 100 kWh, paired with an 800-volt electrical architecture for a range of up to 497 miles on a single charge. Charging adds up to 19 miles of range per minute of charging via ultra-fast DC charging.

Production Plans