Demo BKB: Peugeot

Peugeot Exalt Concept Car

5:10 PM

Peugeot has introduced an updated version of the Exalt concept that bowed in Beijing last April.

Taking the form of a sleek four-door coupe, the Exalt borrows styling cues such as its slim, angular radiator grille, its rippled hood and its sharp headlights from the Onyx concept that was presented at the 2012 edition of the Paris show. 20-inch alloy wheels and sculpted flanks accentuate the car's sporty silhouette.

Interestingly, the Exalt's rear end is covered in an innovative grainy textile called Shark Skin that allegedly reduces the car's drag coefficient. The rest of the Exalt is crafted out of bare steel.

Inside, the Exalt concept boasts an upscale cabin with an integrated air purifier and a new infotainment system dubbed Peugeot i-Cockpit. The bulk of the controls on the center console have been replaced by nine toggle switches arranged in two groups located on either side of the steering wheel. The toggle switches were inspired by the equipment found in a recording studio.

The ebony trim found inside the Exalt shown in Beijing has been replaced by Newspaper Wood, a new salmon-colored material that is made from recycled business newspaper. Basalt fiber trim adds a finishing touch to the interior.

Power comes from a gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 270-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine borrowed from the RCZ R and a 67-horsepower electric motor mounted over the rear axle. The two power sources send 340 horsepower to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, but Peugeot has opted not to publish performance and fuel economy figures.

A folding electric scooter called HYbrid-kick Concept can be neatly stored under the trunk floor. Pictures of the scooter are being kept under wraps until the start of the Paris show.

Peugeot has not revealed what the future holds for the Exalt, but sources close to the automaker indicate it could spawn an oft-rumored four-door coupe that would take on entry-level variants of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The yet-unnamed model would help Peugeot target a younger clientele while moving up a notch on the market in Europe and in China.

Peugeot reveals 308 GT -Paris Motor Show-

4:30 PM

The Peugeot 308 GT, a higher-performance version of the 308 that is offered in both hatchback and SW estate body styles, has been revealed at the Paris motor show before sales begin next month. Two engines are available in the Peugeot 308 GT. The most powerful option is a 1.6-litre petrol THP engine fitted with a twin-scroll turbocharger. It produces 202bhp and 210lb ft.

Equipped with this engine, and a six-speed manual transmission, Peugeot claims the 308 GT is capable of averaging 50.4mpg on the combined cycle. CO2 emissions are rated at 130g/km. Also available is a four-cylinder 2.0-litre BlueHDI diesel with 178bhp and 295lb ft. CO2 emissions are 103g/km and an average fuel consumption of 70.6mpg is claimed. The diesel option comes with an automatic transmission.

The French firm has also retuned the standard 308's suspension – which uses a MacPherson setup at the front and a torsion beam at the rear – for reputedly sportier handling. The ride height has been lowered by 7mm at the front and 10mm at the rear. The car sits on bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin tyres and larger brake discs are fitted at the front and rear.

Inside, Peugeot has added new colored trim with red stitching, and aluminium accents for the pedals and door finishes. The 'i-Cockpit' design from the standard 308 is carried over, but comes with new GT graphics for the infotainment system and driver display.

The engine note has been made more prevalent in the cabin and Peugeot has also made the power steering firmer, all in an effort to make the car more engaging.

The 308 GT can be ordered from November. Pricing information has yet to be revealed but expect the GT model to be among most expensive in the 308 line-up. Prices for the current flagship, the 2.0-litre BlueHDi 150 6-speed automatic, start at £24,445.

Source: AutoCar

Concept Car, News, Peugeot, Quartz, suv

Peugeot SUV Quartz concept car

4:21 PM

Peugeot boss Maxim Picat has confirmed that the company is looking at a large SUV model to join the 2008 and 3008 models, with styling inspired by the Quartz concept car unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.

“The 2008 and 3008 are doing well for us,” he said, “So yes, we are looking at a big SUV – the seven seater market is very interesting.”

However, it won’t be all growth for the Peugeot range, which will be slimmed down as part of parent company PSA’s ‘back in the race’ plans. Picat told us: “The 807 [large MPV] will not be renewed, while the CC models will not be renewed either.”