PSA has purchased Opel for a little bit less than 2 Billion euros. One of the keypoints behind this aquisition is the potential for PSA to exploit the Opel Ampera’s electric car technology. The deal states that PSA will be able to use all the Ampera patents held by the American seller General Motors, but for a limited time only and in certain areas of the world only.
In addition to this marriage, there is more good news for the PSA group, particularly for the Sochaux facility: the Peugeot 3008 was named « Car of the Year » by a jury of 58 international automotive journalists. The 3008 won by 25 points ahead of the Alfa Romeo Giulia…competition was tight…
Following many previews at the CES in Las Vegas, car manufacturers are increasingly using high-tech fairs to reveal their high tech cars… Presented a week before at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Peugeot Instinct concept car was displayed in Geneva. This ‘shooting break’ created by Gilles Vidal and his team, has a hybrid-gasoline powertrain configuration. Even if the exterior design is appealing, it is not revolutionary. It does seem that more and more manufacturers are exploring the four-door/coupe/station wagon look – consider at the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo for instance. The Instinct lines are nicely chiseled. The rear wheels have powerful haunches and the long hood hints at the power of this 300 HP, rechargeable hybrid. The engineers also paid considerable attention to the aerodynamics. For example, the grille which is flanked by and accentuated with long LEDs, looks closed and flush, but in fact it is « breathable », bringing fresh air to the necessary places at the required moment; either to the electric components, to the brakes or around the body.
But the exterior is not where you will find the real innovation. Indeed, this vehicle offers both an autonomous mode and artificial intelligence. When the driver sits in his seat, the car’s brain scans his present condition via his connected watch … If necessary, it suggests that the owner delegates the driving to the car. He always has the choice of letting the car drive itself and, if he accepts, the steering wheel automatically retracts into the dashboard and the owner entertains himself while the car chooses the best route and takes him safely to home. The Peugeot Instinct can even interact with the “internet of things”.
The Instinct can also be your coach. For example, if you are early and your physical data indicates a lack of activity, the interface will suggest you park a little bit further away and walk the last part of your journey…
Because the Instinct is intended to provide you with distractions while you are not driving, the interior is the place where the design work is most visible. Extra-large multimedia displays replace almost the entire dashboard. A touch pad is placed horizontally in front of the gear-shift lever. The interior experiments with many new and innovative materials and textures, including the floor which is formed out of ultra thin cement – yes cement.
Let’s be clear, however, if you are tired of all these features, if you are fed up with being “connected” 100% of the time, you can always go back “drive” mode and escape alone on a mountain road for a moment … or perhaps longer…
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