The Peugeot Inception concept is the clearest statement Peugeot has made about where its design and technology roadmap is heading. Revealed at CES 2023 and based on the Stellantis STLA Large platform, the Inception is a 5-metre fully electric saloon with a 100 kWh battery, an 800-kilometre range and a combined output close to 680 hp from two electric motors. It is not just a design study: the technologies it previews, including the next-generation PEUGEOT i-Cockpit and the Hypersquare control system, are scheduled to appear in production Peugeot models from 2025 onward.
Platform and Powertrain
The STLA Large platform that underpins the Inception concept is one of four BEV-native architectures Stellantis is using to replace its existing model portfolio. BEV-native means the platform was designed from the ground up for electric powertrains, rather than adapted from a combustion architecture. The Inception uses 800V technology that enables extremely fast charging: Peugeot claims 30 km of range added per minute, or 150 km in five minutes. Wireless inductive charging is also integrated, eliminating the need for a physical cable in compatible environments. The 100 kWh battery powers two motors, one per axle, giving the car four-wheel drive and a 0 to 62 mph time of under three seconds.
The Hypersquare and the i-Cockpit
The interior centres on the Hypersquare: a single rectangular control unit that replaces the conventional steering wheel. It is designed for the transition to Level 4 autonomous driving, at which point the Hypersquare retracts entirely and a large panoramic screen slides up from the floor to convert the cabin into a living space. Until that transition, the Hypersquare provides haptic feedback and integrates all primary driving functions. The driver-focused i-Cockpit layout familiar from recent Peugeot models is taken to its logical extreme here, with a minimalist approach to physical controls and sustainable materials throughout, including recycled polyester upholstery.
Peugeot's Electrification Timeline
The Inception concept is the visual and technical blueprint for Peugeot's transition to an all-electric European lineup by 2030. The brand is targeting a 50% reduction in carbon footprint across Europe by the same year, with full Carbon Net Zero status by 2038. Five new fully electric models were planned within two years of the concept's reveal. The Inception's design language, particularly its unique light signature integrated into the front grille, has begun influencing the production models that followed. For those drawn to the future of electric mobility and avant-garde automotive design, TheArsenale's electric vehicle selection brings together the most forward-thinking EVs available today.
The official technical release is available at Stellantis Media. For a detailed assessment of the STLA Large platform's potential, MoparInsiders published an in-depth analysis at launch.
Photo: Peugeot
