Peugeot Returns to North America to Display Stunning Concept at CES
A few years ago, Peugeot had plans to return to North America in 2023. That’s no longer on the table following the birth of Stellantis. However, the French car company decided to cross the Atlantic this week to show off a stunning new EV concept at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.
Called Inception, the vehicle sort of sets the tone for future EV models from Peugeot and maybe other brands within Stellantis.
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First of all, you have to know that the STLA Large platform is the same one that underpins the Jeep Recon and Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concepts. The low and wide body is defined by extremely angular shapes especially in the rear, with oversized wheels pushed far into the corners. The coupe-like profile is misleading as there are four doors on this car.
The doors open in opposite directions similar to many recent concepts, revealing a spacious cabin under a huge glass roof that blends into the windshield.
Inside, the Peugeot Inception is really something else. Angular styling once again prevails, but the Comfort Fit seats are said to adapt to each passenger’s own unique body shape. Meanwhile, the so-called Hypersquare steering wheel is inspired by gaming and incorporates a touchscreen that controls all of the car’s features. The company claims the round holes at each corner serve an ergonomic purpose while also enabling drivers to operate certain controls using thumb motions.
Ahead of the steering wheel is a disc-shaped, rotating display for driving data and infotainment. We don’t know if it’s a distraction or not, but the fact that it’s right into the driver’s field of view is a good thing.
From a technical standpoint, a couple of specs you should know about include two electric motors and a 100kWh battery. Stellantis has previously set a target of 800 km with this particular platform and configuration, but it’s obviously based on Europe’s WLTP standard, not Canada’s.
Output is rated at 670 horsepower, which matches the aforementioned Charger Daytona SRT with eStage2 boost package. Also, thanks to the 800V architecture, the Inception is able to regain about 150 km of range in just five minutes when plugged into the most powerful DC fast chargers available. It even has the ability to charge wirelessly, likely with an induction charger similar to the one announced during the reveal of the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV Concept last night at CES.
One last thing: Stellantis’s STLA AutoDrive is part of the mix, too, and it would theoretically enable Level 4 autonomous driving with no intervention from the driver. In fact, the Hypersquare steering wheel can retract out of the way when not required.