Peugeot has unveiled a stunning new concept car, that just might reveal some stylistic design trends intended for future models. The Peugeot SR1 will go on show for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Peugeot suggests that the SR1 is “dynamic, balanced, sensual, with an exclusive high-tech interior and explores and reinterprets the theme of the “Grand Touring Car. More than ever, the aesthetic traits of this concept renew Peugeot’s strong stylistic identity – in short, this concept car creates a new design language for the company.”
Interestingly it comes with two engines – a petrol engine to drive the front wheels and an electric motor to drive the rear wheels.
Peugeot goes on to say that:
The Peugeot SR1 is a vehicle with ideal proportions, revisiting the great traditions of grand touring cars of the past: a large bonnet, flowing wings and a very low centre of gravity.
The design of the body gives the car a new balance: a sculpted bonnet, sweeping sides and a chiselled rear design. At the side the styling lines merge into the side windows and the front windscreen, emphasising the design of the bonnet.
This overall effect blends easily with the design detailing: the design of the lights and the air intakes, the shape of the door mirrors – these elements merge seamlessly with the vehicle’s carbon “skin”.
In parallel, features such as “full LED” internal headlamp functions and the radiator grille contour stand out, as if suspended.
The hard top echoes the feel of this intense, high-tech assembly: it uses preformed profile technology derived from the world of sailing, blending with the body, creating the illusion of a coupé.
There is room in the vehicle for three people as the third rear seat nestles in the middle, behind the two front seats.
Entry to this seat is facilitated by the centre console, which can slide forward to improve access.
The SR1 incorporates HYbrid4 technology, which will be launched in Europe in the Peugeot 3008 in 2011. In the SR1 a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with maximum power of 160 kW is combined with an electric motor developing 70kW.
The petrol engine in the front powers the front wheels, while the electric motor is located in the rear and drives the rear wheels.
In electric only mode, the car becomes a ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle), while its combined cycle fuel consumption is only 4.9 litres/100 km or 119 g/km of CO2.
When the two power trains operate simultaneously, the SR1 develops a potential maximum power of 230 kW and also benefits from four-wheel drive.
With HYbrid4 technology, which will eventually become available on a number of models throughout the Peugeot range, the SR1 concept offers convincing proof that driving pleasure can be combined with environmental friendliness.
The vehicle’s dynamic efficiency is further enhanced by the use of a rigid, lightweight structure comprising of a one-piece body and a tubular chassis onto which are mounted the mechanical components and suspension.
Exploiting the best of existing technology to offer road-holding worthy of this exceptional concept, the suspension consists of double wishbones with drop links both at the front and the rear.
The SR1 benefits from four-wheel steering, offering greater driving precision.
The turning angle of the rear wheels is controlled as a function of the vehicle speed, via motorised links on the rear wishbones, giving the vehicle superb agility under all circumstances.
Inside the vehicle, leather and various grained wood blend seamlessly with, “high tech” materials such as nickel and satin-finished chrome.
The instrumentation combines analogue and digital read-outs, giving clear emphasis to every item of information conveyed to the driver.
This is the case for instantaneous fuel consumption and vehicle range, displayed on two glass crystal gauges directly in front of the driver.
Another technological innovation is the creation of an exclusive wristwatch designed in partnership with Bell&Ross® – this timepiece, with milled inserts of solid aluminium, slots perfectly into a dedicated housing on the fascia panel.
Finally, the SR1 displays the new Peugeot Lion badge. Redesigned, finely worked and sculpted, it mirrors perfectly the perception of the vehicle as a whole.