Peugeot has unveiled a new five-door concept car – called the Exalt. The classic Peugeot grille is in evidence, as well as other touches that remind you this is a product from the French car giant – but in other regards it is a radical design.
Just as the Onyx concept car of 2012 sported unusual materials, so does the Exalt; the body is comprised of hand beaten metal panels.
The car also features an aerodynamic-improving material called 'shark skin', inspired by the smooth-skinned aquatic creature of the same name.
With the Exalt, Peugeot wanted to take out all non-essential materials in order to maximise efficiency.
The driver sits in an 'i-Cockpit', surrounded by a wool fabric, leather and ebony.
Two fold out touchscreens are found on the dash, providing Sat Nav, audio and air conditioning controls; these slide away to create the minimalist look sought by the car’s designers.
And according to Peugeot, the human brain is good at remembering positions and functions when related to seven toggles or switches, which is why the Exalt sports two sets of seven switches, for controlling the car's systems.
While the images provided by Peugeot appear to be computer generated, the real thing will be on display at Beijing Motor show next week. As with so many car brands, China will play a big role in the future success of Peugeot, where the firm also manufactures vehicles in partnership with Donfeng in the city of Wuhan. A Chinese version of the 508 will soon be manufactured by the firm.
And as with so many established auto firms, moving manufacturing to China and other countries with high local demand for their products is seen as essential for success. Chinese-made cars are no longer seen as more likely than Western-made cars to attract the need for breakdown insurance cover, being as it is, arguably, the new home of high-tech manufacturing.
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