PARIS 2014 – PEUGEOT QUARTZ CONCEPT: the athletic crossover…

At the Mondial de l’Automobile, the Lion from Sochaux was showing a concept car which seems to be an outline of what the 6008, Audi Q5 and BMW X3 among others future competitor, could be. It follows themes already seen two years ago on the Onyx. In its production version, the line of the vehicle will be softened and it will receive four traditional doors, but no doubt that it will keep this aggressive image. The lines are sharp, surfaces are complex. The feeling is ultra-athletic for such a car. The extremely short overhangs certainly help and give as much room as possible for the occupants. The upper part of the Quartz gives the impression of a single block. The sculpted body captures the light. The ratio in between body and glass is pushed to a ratio of three-quarter against one quarter. For comparison, at Audi, it is rather two-thirds, one-third. In order to help aerodynamic the glass roof finish into two spoilers. From side view, they are aligned with the “coupe-franche”, the recent Peugeot design signature. This oblique line separates the two color finish of the vehicle.

It is certainly on the inside that the show car is more impressive and more advanced. The compact sporty steering wheel integrates many controls, allowing driver to play with driving modes and shift gears. The first thing you see when you sit in, is this amazing info screen behind the wheel, featuring all information you need such as speedometer, tachymeter, navigation and infotainment. Since it was introduced in the Audi TT Mk III, this seems to be the new car interior trend. And certainly a good indication of what next generation Peugeot car will use as technology.

Exalt and Quartz interiors are designed in the same way: towards and around the driver. Like in the Peugeot Exalt, the central console is also featuring the 7 key “piano” that are totally configurable. The central console is made of basalt which gives the impression of strength and lightness. Quartz is the first-ever vehicle to employ a digitally woven textile. The process is very innovative, since it does not produce any waste by avoiding cuts: it can create large and complex parts that can be used right as they are produced. By using recycled materials, such as the kind of plastic used for water bottle, this process is, like the paper for the Exalt dashboard, following the UPCYCLING process Peugeot wants to use and promote…

With the Exalt and the Quartz, Gilles Vidal’s teams are giving us some good inputs of what Peugeot’s future will be. Now we have to wait…we hope not for too long…