Peugeot's Inception Concept Shows Us The Growing Possibilities Of The STLA Large Platform

Stellantis’ Peugeot was represented on stage during CEO Carlos Tavares’ keynote speech at CES 2023 in Las Vegas earlier this week. The French automaker unveiled its new Inception Concept, a radically designed battery-electric vehicle (BEV) whose design language will be the inspiration for the brand’s future models going forward.

The very angular two-door coupe is based on the same STLA Large architecture that will underpin many Chrysler Group vehicles in the near future, such as the Dodge Charger, Jeep® Recon, Wagoneer S, and Chrysler Airflow. The Inception Concept keeps the STLA Large compacted compared to its American siblings. Measuring in at 16.4 feet (5 meters) long, but only 4.39 feet (1.34 meters) tall.

Inception rides on a similar 800-volt architecture at the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Banshee Concept BEV. The Peugeot uses a 100 kWh battery providing the car with a range of 500 miles (800 kilometers), right on cue with the numbers Stellantis said its 800-volt architecture would deliver during its EV Day 2021 presentation. With an induction charging system simplifying charging by the absence of cable, the car can be charged to an estimated 93 miles (150 kilometers) of range in around 5 minutes.

Peugeot says the Inception is powered by a dual e-motor layout that delivers 500 kW (670 horsepower) combined that is put to the ground through an all-wheel drive (AWD) system. It is enough power to propel the Inception from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in under 3 seconds. That’s near Challenger SRT HELLCAT territory.

Inside, the Inception features Peugeot’s next-gen i-Cockpit® design with a new “Hypersquare” control system. Hypersquare ditches the traditional steering shaft in favor of a steer-by-wire system. Can’t get any more video game than that? Well, maybe it can.

Gone is the traditional round steering wheel that we know of and it replaced by a rectangular-type wheel. The new wheel design features controls that are accessible by moving the driver’s thumb in one of four holes located on the corners of the wheel.

The Inception Concept’s radical exterior design is highlighted by a unique angular windshield, side glass, and sunroof. According to the official press release, the total glass space across the car measure 78 sq. feet (7.25 sq. meters). Peugeot says the glass is a Narima composite, which undergoes the same metal oxide treatment that NASA uses for its astronaut helmet visors. The treatment gives the glass a strange yellow/purplish hue, making it look like it was inspired by a pair of Pit Viper sunglasses.

The front end of the car adopts the brand new Peugeot lion, which now incorporates the three emblematic claws. This new very identity front panel merges the entire grille part and the signature part within the same object that also embeds the sensors. The exterior lighting mimics the brand’s 9X8 Hypercar racer with three optical “claw” lights.

Peugeot also says that the Inception features the company’s latest STLA AutoDrive Level 4 autonomy program. When activated, the interior can be converted into a comfort-oriented one, which retracts the Hypersquare steering, hides the dashboard, and makes the interior into more of a lounge.

A “Tech Bar” horizontally crosses the skin of the doors. In addition to the level of battery charge, the Tech Bar incorporates the usual welcome and goodbye messages, as well as the many sensors and radars related to the driving delegation, leaving a completely smooth body, because they lack these technical elements.

Peugeot says that many technical advances found on the Inception Concept will make it in some form to its future vehicle portfolio by 2026. Stellantis says Peugeot will launch five BEVs over the next two years, making it a leader in the European BEV market.

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CloversPlusCats Jan 08, 2023 #1

Back in 2021, it was said that 8 cars were being developed for the platform and all will show up by '26 and this kinda makes it easier to round up how those developments are going.

Charger Daytona EV
Chrysler Airflow
Jeep Recon
Wagoneer S
Alfa Romeo Giulia BEV (unconfirmed but likely)
Alfa Romeo Stelvio BEV (unconfirmed but likely)
Maybe a Peugeot D-sedan that heavily borrows from this concept? Could also be some crossover

The rest of the possible entries for this platform are rumors/speculation or more aspirational hopes from the brands, so not counting midsized Ram or a replacement for the 300, Durango, the sedan space in Dodge's lineup, etc.

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bill burke Jan 08, 2023 #2

This platform is developing around a corporate blueprint that will allow brands to interpret their own brand culture/styling theme and share costly system development costs. Looking for those executions for Dodge with the Charger and Challenger, the Chrysler Airflow and the Jeep Wagoneer S and Cherokee if not a few more. Smart decision and allows each brand to spend more on visible differences that appeal to loyal customers. This concept just demonstrates the opportunities.

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M Mike201 Jan 09, 2023 #3

Why have they continued to show us the concepts that should appear in a Si-Fi movie set in 2085? Like the new EV Ram, these are so much outrageous than the final vehicle will be coming off the line in the next year or two. Give us a better look at what we will actually be buying with in the next 1-4 years.

bill burke Jan 10, 2023 #4

Concept vehicles can push the envelope on ideas that can eventually evolve into a more pragmatic application. It can also measure public interest in an idea or feature before there is financial or engineering commitment.
I agree the Peugeot concept is pretty far fetched, that interior, dash and steering wheel are the ugliest I’ve ever seen, looks uncomfortable too, but it does show what can be done if that is what folks like. Hope they pass on that interior. To my point, regardless of your feelings on these two concepts from Ram and Peugeot, they do demonstrate the opportunity for brand interpretation and exclusivity off this new STLA platform. One look at the Charger Daytona concept gives you a more likely interpretation but still advances design and engineering possibilities that are brand specific and consistent with brand culture. Concepts are ment to illicit heated reactions and discussions and that has been achieved.

M Mike201 Jan 10, 2023 #5

I agree Bill, to a point. I do understand concepts are dreams of what's coming or ideas for the future. I also believe, a concept can be what is coming sooner rather than later. The Charger Daytona Banshee. Now looking at that I see the next Charger. I see the concept being 85-90% of what we will see in a year or so. The Chrysler Crossfire. I see that being what we will see in 2 years. Those are the concepts I think us Mopar fans need. For two reason. One we have not seen anything new in years and need to see what's coming tomorrow Secondly those concepts give us the fell of the old Chryslers concepts of the 90's which look like the cars we got a few years later (Viper/LH models). I DO understand you point. The Ram Revolution concept walks that fine line of what we may see and the pipe dreams of tomorrow.

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