Context/Origins
If you thought Peugeot would settle for a few cosmetic tweaks for its upcoming 208, think again! The French brand has released a teaser for its new concept “Polygon”, a preview that goes beyond a simple facelift, promising a true revolution in its design language. We’re talking about a renewal that could make the current style look like an old, faded T-shirt.
Design/Chassis
The Polygon is a bit like a supercar designer had a sleepless night and decided to sketch a city car. With its long, almost horizontal windscreen, you feel like you’re in a science fiction film, not in a city car. The wheels, pushed to the extreme, give this little beast a muscular look, as if it were ready to run a marathon before even leaving the garage.
The grille, absent, loudly proclaims that we are dealing with an electric vehicle. But don’t expect to see this partially glazed roof in the production version, unless Peugeot really wants its customers to get sunburnt on every journey.
Engine/Performance
Ah, performance! The part where we hope Peugeot won’t disappoint us. The Polygon is expected to share its DNA with its Stellantis cousin, the upcoming Opel Corsa, which has recently made waves with its GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept. With its 789 hp (800 PS / 588 kW), one wonders if the 208 will also transform into a racing beast or if it will remain a quiet city car.
We eagerly await the full reveal of the Polygon, but if the rumours are to be believed, it could feature an 82 kWh battery, a significant leap from the 52 kWh of the current e-208. Just imagine: more range, more power, and perhaps even the ability to do donuts without worrying about the battery life.
Driving/Sensations
Driving, let’s talk about it! Peugeot is going all out with its steer-by-wire system, which could well become the heart of the driving experience in its future models. Imagine a steering wheel that looks like a square, but is called Hypersquare. Yes, you read that right, a square! It seems the designers decided to play Tetris while designing this futuristic steering wheel.
This system, already seen on the Inception concept, promises a driving experience that could make tight corners feel like leisurely forest strolls. It remains to be seen if reality will live up to this promise or if we will be disappointed like after opening a Christmas gift that contained only a slipper.
Onboard Life/Technologies
Inside, we can expect a blend of futuristic technology and comfort. Peugeot seems keen to make the cabin a space where one feels good, like in a good old leather sofa, but with touchscreens that would make a spaceship blush. Details on the equipment remain vague, but one can imagine features that rival those of a cutting-edge smartphone.
The challenge will be to maintain a balance between technology and ergonomics. If we find ourselves juggling a multitude of buttons and screens, we might end up feeling like a fighter pilot on a mission rather than a city car driver.
Rivals/Positioning
The Peugeot 208 has always had formidable rivals, such as the Renault Clio and the Ford Fiesta. With this new design and new technologies, Peugeot could well redefine the rules of the game. But beware, the competition won’t be sitting idly by. Other brands will certainly react, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see even bolder models emerge on the market.
- Renault Clio: still a benchmark in style and technology.
- Ford Fiesta: the sporty one in the segment, with dynamic handling.
- Opel Corsa: the cousin
