Peugeot previews Exalt hybrid concept ahead of Beijing

Wed, 09 Apr 2014

Think of Peugeot and you're more likely to conjure up images of a budget hatchback than an evocative sports car, but the French marque has been known to produce some rather tempting forms, from the RCZ to its Onyx concept from 2012. Now, it looks poised to do it again with the Exalt concept seen here.

Previewed ahead of its full reveal later this week, the Exalt concept adopts a svelte two-door form rendered in a combination of bare metal and a sharkskin textile, adopting what looks like a similar two-tone front-to-back color scheme to the 308 R hot hatch concept revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year. Its interior, meanwhile, is decked out in wool, leather and ebony and comes equipped with such features as Peugeot's i-Cockpit system, black lighting and Pure Blue air purifier.

The final bit of information that the Lion marque is willing to reveal at this point is that the Exalt packs a gasoline version of its HYbrid4 gas-electric system with 340 horsepower on tap. We'll have to wait another couple of days to find out more, but the concept is tipped to debut live at the Beijing Motor Show later this month.

The PEUGEOT EXALT concept, design innovator for heightened sensations

With EXALT, PEUGEOT unveils its imposing vision of the sedan by following the approach initiated in 2012 with the Onyx concept. EXALT aims to please the senses. It calls out from the first contact by its radical styling choices, and the materials selected. First seen on Onyx, the distinct line in the bodywork is reinterpreted by the association of bare metal and an efficient textile, Shark Skin, inspired by the unique texture of a shark's skin. The remarkable acoustic comfort achieved leaves you to discover an array of materials – natural wool-based "chiné" mixed fabric, aged leather, bare steel and ebony – used to finish the cabin. This high end variety of wood is adorned with a unique design created by the trio PINWU Design. The technology incorporated makes every journey an experience: PEUGEOT i-Cockpit, black light, Pure Blue air purifier ... this art of travel is powered by a petrol HYbrid4 drive train with an output of 340hp.

For more information, rendez-vous Thursday April 10 th at 8:00 am !

By Noah Joseph