GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Peugeot Instinct concept leaked

UPDATE 28/02/2017 10:30am: Peugeot has taken the digital covers off its upcoming Instinct Concept, days after the car was leaked.

Due to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show next month, the prototype is described as an autonomous shooting brake, one that employs a 224kW plug-in hybrid engine to cement its futuristic standing.

The French marque says the Instinct features full connectivity for your smartphone and smart watch, but also household appliances like the television and PC.

The compatibility is designed to streamline everyday life. For example, if the car can help co-ordinate an earlier alarm for an appointment if it thinks you require more travel time.
These features are enhanced by an everyday speech-driven personal assistant, called a ‘chatbot’. The technology is designed to secure online purchases or help with over-the-line errands.

The Instinct boasts an interior that matches its swoopy outside proportions. A 9.7-inch central infotainment system works in concert with a kinematic system that switches the car from driving mode to autonomous mode.

With autonomous mode selected, the Peugeot concept automatic folds the steering wheel and accelerator pedal away. Peugeot will show off its dramatic new model in person next month.

Peugeot is quite partial to a sleek concept car.

Last year, the French marque showed us the L500R Hybrid, and in 2015 we saw a futuristic two-door coupe prototype called the Fractal.

Now it seems Peugeot is preparing another one-off number for the Geneva motor show next month, after the Instinct concept was leaked on an official show website.

While there are no further details of the Instinct, there are already suggestions the muscular two-door previews Peugeot’s future styling direction.

It wears sharply-angled headlights that fuse into prominent daytime running lights. A grille-free nose on the concept has also sparked talk of Peugeot accelerating its electric drivetrain plans.

The electric car speculation follows a recent deal in which Peugeot’s parent company, PSA Group, signed into a partnership with Chinese giant Donfeng Motors.

The two companies announced plans last year to produce a range of light and small electric performance cars from Peugeot, Citroen, DS and Dongfeng, to be sold globally from 2019.

The agreement is a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between PSA Group and DFM, which have jointly developed an electric version of PSA’s latest Common Modular Platform (CMP) since April 2015.

The Instinct concept suggests these electrified powertrains could also be applied to future performance models.

The Instinct is expected to be the highlight of the Peugeot stand in Switzerland. Elsewhere, Peugeot is expected to a new 49kW/200Nm electric version of its Partner commercial van, which currently isn’t sold in Australia.