- Polygon shows what a future Peugeot 208 could look like
- French company says steer-by-wire technology will arrive in 2027
- Interchangeable interior seats would allow for more customization
Peugeot has unleashed its latest, highly futuristic concept car that aims to give us an insight into tomorrow’s hatchbacks.
Dubbed Polygon, the wild design studio evokes elements of the company’s sportier past, such as the 205 GTi (a hot hatch icon from the ’80s and ’90s), while transporting us well into the future with gull-wing doors, next-gen head-up displays and a square steering wheel.
The ‘Hypersquare’, as Peugeot refers to it, is a look at the upcoming steer-by-wire technology due to arrive in 2027. Instead of a mechanical connection between the wheel and the front axle, the steering is handled by software.
Tesla debuted a similar system in its Cybertruck, which allowed for much quicker steering ratios at lower speeds, making it much easier to maneuver the large pick-up in tight spots.
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Peugeot has taken the idea a step further, as its lozenge-shaped innovation provides a much better view of the front dashboard. That’s a good thing, because the French brand plans to use this area as a projector to send infotainment data to the windshield. No more massive touchscreens.
This next generation of Peugeot’s iCockpit is said to offer the equivalent of a 31-inch screen beamed directly onto the windshield, which will change its information based on the selected driving mode. In addition, the micro-LEDs behind the Hypersquare wheel are visible from outside the vehicle, allowing animations to be flashed to passersby.
Getting in and out of the low and wide three-door machine is made easier thanks to gull-wing doors that swing upwards and create a huge gap that both driver and passengers can climb into the back.
The seats, which are made from three recyclable components, have a foam that can be replaced in minutes, which would effectively allow future customers to personalize the interior of their car when the mood takes
Hip for being square
Peugeot won’t be held to any details on what would ultimately power the production car based on the Polygon, but Autocar reports that the new 208 will be the first car to sit on parent company Stellantis’ STLA Small architecture.
That model isn’t planned with combustion engines in mind, as that’s due to sports battery packs ranging from 37kWh to 82kWh, which promise much greater range than those found in the current-generation e-208.
Whatever comes from Polygon will be electric, and the French brand is sticking to its guns when it comes to steer-by-wire technology, an innovation it says can greatly alter a vehicle’s driving dynamics at the touch of a button and reduce vibration and harshness that comes from having a physical connection between the front wheels and the driver.
Mercedes-Benz is also busy exploring the technology, with the company releasing details of its futuristic yoke earlier this year.
Of course, Tesla owners have been able to drive with a Steering Yoke ever since it was first introduced in the Model S and Model X, but the company didn’t combine it with the steer-by-wire technology until the launch of the Cybertruck.
What’s more, there was pushback against the oddly shaped wheel in many markets, forcing Tesla to go back to a standard steering wheel.
Despite having big players like Peugeot and Mercedes-Benz behind the technology, drivers will likely still find it takes some getting used to.
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