The Inception Concept might be the perfect pitch by Peugeot to make America crave French drama!
The EV revolution has opened up a second chance for many failed and defunct automakers of the past to return to the US. And one such carmaker is Peugeot. And its Inception Concept might be the perfect pitch to Americans to fall in love with French drama again!
Showcased at Consumer Electronics Show 2023, the Inception Concept is Peugeot’s vision of future cars. It gets a sharp and out-worldly design but still integrates the triple-claw headlight and unique DRL designs that have their origins in the Peugeot Instinct Concept. But the highlight of the Inception Concept design is the level of sharpness it flaunts.
The car looks like it can cut right through paper! The futuristic design is laid out on a platform that also underpins the future of American muscle. The Inception Concept interior is way crazier than the exterior. Everything is squares and boxes, and the only circular thing in the cabin is a 3D instrument cluster that looks like a halo on the dashboard.
Everything in this Concept is intuitive, adaptive, and worthy of just staring at for hours. Peugeot has packed this unreal concept with an all-electric powertrain that can take on sports cars with ease. Interestingly, a production EV derived from this wedgy concept is slated for launch as soon as 2025.
The Dashing Inception Concept Is A 680-HP All-Electric Sedan
The Peugeot Inception Concept is pure-electric, and it is no surprise. This cool and sharp French creation is deemed to be the next generation of Peugeot cars. It will spearhead the French automaker’s ambition to be fully electric by 2030.
This four-door “coupe” gets a two-motor layout with one on each axle. And juice comes from a floor-layered 100 kWh battery pack that helps the motors churn out 680 hp to all four wheels.
Peugeot states that the Inception Concept can do 0-62 mph in just three seconds. This concept car also puts forth a practical package with a driving range of just under 500 miles. It also comes with the industry-leading 800V battery architecture that is capable of adding 93 miles in just five minutes.
Peugeot Inception Is Dodge Charger Daytona’s Dramatic Cousin
And that is because of the Stellantis connection. The Inception concept is built on the highly flexible STLA BEV architecture, which underpins the brutish-looking Dodge Charger Daytona EV concept as well. Shockingly, this platform is so adaptive that the RAM 1500 Revolution BEV concept is also based on it.
And we can also expect a slew of other EVs from various other automakers under the Stellantis umbrella to use this platform. We wonder what Alfa Romeo and Lancia will be cooking up next! This platform allows Peugeot to push the wheels to the extreme ends. And that provides an insane playing ground between the axles to create an unreal interior.
Peugeot Inception Interior Is Worthy Of An Art Installation
Being French, Peugeot went the artistic route for the Inception Concept interior. And oh boy, what a unique interior they have cooked up in this concept. It is unlike anything we have ever seen. While the seats might look very uncomfortable, it’s the exact opposite here. Peugeot has given the Inception four adaptive seats that use inflatable quilted upholstery to custom-fit anyone who sits on them.
As for the technology features, calling them “futuristic” would be an underestimation! The dashboard design is straight out of a Sci-Fi movie. Peugeot’s i-Cockpit is composed of a uniquely designed steering that uses steer-by-wire technology. The center of this rectangular steering is a touchscreen display that is surrounded by circular cut-outs for various in-car functions.
And behind it is Peugeot’s take on the future of the instrument cluster. Called the Halo Cluster, it is a 3D display that displays car info and also interacts with the exterior car functions. Almost every element on the inside is treated with multi-chrome glass that provides the most unreal shine and the most photogenic car interior we have ever seen!
Peugeot Inception Design Is Le Mans Racecar-Inspired
If looking at the front fascia of the Inception Concept reminds you of another car, then it’s most likely the bleeding-edge Peugeot 9X8 endurance racecar. The Inception Concept takes the striking front fascia lighting inspiration from the 9X8. The wild and sharp styling is actually a toned-down version of the one seen on the Le Mans racecar.
The Inception Concept is over 16 feet long and still manages to look sporty and sharp, and not a land yacht! Even wilder is the insanely large 78 square-feet windshield that sweeps from the center of the hood and almost connects to the rear windshield! And it looks normal here. The rear fascia gets a similar claw LED tail lamp treatment with an illuminated “Peugeot” running across the width.
Inception Concept Will Spawn A Production Car As Soon As 2025
We would love to see an outrageously fully-autonomous EV based on the sharp lines of the Peugeot Inception. But it isn’t practical, and the razor-sharp design will be diluted with subtle curves and a toned-down interior design. But Peugeot has confirmed that the first Inception-inspired production EV will be out as soon as 2025. And that is something that we are looking forward to.
We Crave For Peugeot’s Razor-Sharp Future To Come To America
Peugeot has time and again stated that they don’t have any intentions of entering North America again. And it’s been 32 years since Peugeot left America. But we would want to have a shimmer of hope because the French automaker made the effort to showcase the Inception Concept at CES 2023.
And last time we checked, we get some variations of the “gadgets” that are showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show. So, yes! We have our fingers crossed and hope the eccentric French automaker, against all odds, makes a smashing re-entry to the US
