DS Automobiles launches an all new model for the Chinese Market, Why is this not in Europe, it is stunning.

On Monday 25 April, Beijing Motor Show saw the premiere of a new DS Automobiles model exclusively for the Chinese market: DS 4S. Designed in France and produced at the Shenzhen production facility in China, the premium hatchback, a true expression of technology and refinement, is a key strength in the brand's product offensive in the compact car segment. 

Beijing Motor Show also provides an opportunity for DS Automobiles to highlight its strong commitment to the Formula E Championship with the presence of DSV-01, the electric single-seater of the DS Virgin Racing team.

An essential event for automotive enthusiasts and media alike, the Beijing Motor Show will be marked by the launch of a new DS model, exclusively for the Chinese market: the premium compact car, DS 4S. By strengthening its range, DS Automobiles has everything it takes to fulfil the expectations of Chinese drivers. The new exclusive model further demonstrates the refinement, dynamism and comfort that are the hallmarks of the DS brand.

Visitors will be able to admire DS 4S in stunning Dark Fire red body paint, together with DS 6, DS 5LS, and a DS 5 with an exclusive Matt Gold paint. The 700 m² show stand will also display an original DS 21 cloaked in a splendid tone of red, as a symbol of the brand’s heritage and approach to avant-garde design.

DS 4S, A SYMBOL OF THE DS PRODUCT OFFENSIVE IN THE COMPACT SEGMENT

A premium compact hatchback with extremely dynamic styling, DS 4S is the latest model to complete the DS range currently available in China, which includes DS 5 (hatchback), DS 5 LS (three-box saloon) and DS 6 (SUV).

A strong expression of the DS brand identity, the ‘DS Wings’ grille features on DS 4S. The DS LED Vision headlights embody the brand's refinement and spirit of avant-garde.

For its launch, DS 4S boasts an exclusive, deep and dynamic body colour: Dark Fire red. Equipped with the latest-generation EAT6 automatic gearbox, DS 4S is available with three petrol engines ranging from 136hp to 204hp. DS 4S also marks the Chinese debut of the PureTech engine, voted as a ‘2015 International Engine of the Year’.

Inside, refinement hits new heights with the upholstery, both in terms of the quality of the materials used and the exclusive DS finish. The dashboard and door panels are covered in high-grade leather, demonstrating luxury Parisian craftsmanship. The seats feature ‘watchstrap-style’ upholstery, a true innovation and an exclusive feature of DS Automobiles’ models. The red leather enhances the image of refinement and meticulous attention to detail, both characteristics of French-style luxury and DS Automobiles. Furthermore, the brand’s ongoing commitment to connectivity is apparent with DS 4S benefiting from DS CONNECT technology (navigation, safety and communication functions).

DSV-01, A SYMBOL OF THE BRAND'S STRONG TECHNOLOGICAL COMMITMENT

Since September 2015, the all-electric single-seater of the DS Virgin Racing team has been travelling the world from one FIA Formula E Championship race to another. A scale replica of DSV-01 will be on show at the DS stand to share the brand’s commitment to the Formula E Championship with the public.

DSV-01 is the result of the partnership between Virgin Racing and DS Automobiles. The DS Performance motorsport division – a team of experienced engineers involved in developing the car – worked in particular on the powertrain, cooling system, rear suspension and transmission. 

This commitment to Formula E showcases all the boldness that drives the DS brand. As such, the championship stands as an excellent opportunity for the DS brand to assert its technological know-how and to confirm its dynamism. The DSV-01 electric single-seater has a top speed of 155mph and accelerates from 0 to 62mph in under four seconds.

DS IN CHINA

4 models (DS 5, DS 5LS, DS 6 and DS 4S)

1 production site in Shenzhen

More than 100 DS Stores in 60 cities and a DS World in Shanghai

20% of the DS brand's global sales

DS 4S IN BRIEF

6 body colours: Dark Fire red (exclusive), Silver Grey, Pearl White, Hickory Brown, Black Perla & Whisper

3 engines:  PureTech 130, THP 160 & THP200

5 trim levels: Comfort, Fashion, Luxury, Luxury Technology & Prestige

Dimensions: 4.44m (L) x 1.84m (W) x 1.51m (H)

The Beijing Motor Show opened its doors to the press on 25 April. With Citroen showcasing a number of new models.

The Beijing Motor Show opened its doors to the press on 25 April.  The Dongfeng Citroën stand will be displaying the E-MEHARI and two world firsts: E-Elysée, the all-electric version of C-Elysée, and C6, a new D-segment premium sedan. The brand will also reveal “Citroën Advanced Comfort”, a unique Citroën signature in vehicle comfort.

Citroën is confirming its offensive in China, its biggest market in 2015 with sales of over 300,000 vehicles, which equates to one-quarter of the brand’s global sales.

The 14^th Beijing Motor Show opens its doors to the press on Monday 25 April and the Dongfeng Citroën stand will be showcasing the all-electric 4-seater cabriolet, E-MEHARI, and two world firsts; E-Elysée, the all-electric version of C-Elysée, and C6 a new D-segment premium sedan.

A first practical step in electric vehicles in China with Citroën E-Elysée

With two championship titles in the WTCC, C-Elysée is consolidating its status as Dongfeng Citroën’s best-selling vehicle in China, with 90,000 sales in 2015. The brand is unveiling an all-electric version of its three-box saloon: Citroën E-Elysée. Scheduled for launch in China in 2017, this model reflects Dongfeng Citroën’s ambitions to be a key player in electric vehicles for the Chinese market. Featuring a lithium-ion battery, E-Elysée has a range of up to 250km and can be fast-charged in just 30 minutes (6.5 hours in normal charging mode).

The emphasis on electric vehicles is also an opportunity for the brand to present its latest vehicle to the Chinese public for the first time, Citroën E-MEHARI, an all-electric 4-seater cabriolet with a unique personality. 

An offensive in the premium segment with the Citroën C6

Following the launch of the new C4 saloon in 2015, Dongfeng Citroën is completing its offensive in the important segment of three-box saloons with the unveiling of its new flagship model: Citroën C6. Targeting the upper business D segment, this 4.96m long premium saloon is set to arrive at the end of the year. Designed by the Styling Centre in Paris alongside the Shanghai team, the Citroën C6 will be built in Wuhan. It features flowing, modern lines and exceptional interior qualities with particular emphasis on the cabin (space, ambience, materials, seats and technologies) in order to set the highest standards in comfort for all the passengers.

“Citroën Advanced Comfort”: Citroën’s unique approach to comfort

The reveal of the Citroën C6 is also an opportunity for the brand to present the “Citroën Advanced Comfort” programme. Founded in 1919, Citroën has always been at the cutting-edge of comfort technology, applying specific attention and investment to it as part of the brand’s development. With the “Citroën Advanced Comfort” programme, the brand is making is commitment to comfort even more apparent, through four key factors that reflect Citroën’s approach to comfort:

Filter out any road surface imperfections, for a cocoon-like ride, with improved suspension, seating and acoustics;

Simplify life on board, with generous, functional space, numerous storage compartments and accessible controls;    

Create a more user-friendly experience with intuitive technology and driving aids that can be used every day. This will also ensure customers remain connected to the digital world and the car;

Lighten the load both physically and mentally, welcoming occupants with a more relaxed ambience, displaying only information that is truly useful, improving natural light and the materials used in the cabin.

Lamborghini Urus may be built in Italy with the assistance of huge Tax Breaks offered by the Government.

Lamborghini is being offered incentives by Italy's government to make sure the automaker builds a future SUV in the country, according to people familiar with the matter.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's government may offer as much as 100 million euros ($111 million) in tax breaks and other benefits to ensure that final assembly of the Lamborghini Urus takes place in Italy, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

Lamborghini unveiled a prototype of the high-riding Urus at the 2012 Beijing auto show. Lamborghini has since been refining a business case for the vehicle in an effort to win approval to go ahead with production from its parent, Volkswagen's Audi. If approved, the car will vie with the upcoming Aston Martin DBX as the world's sportiest SUV.

Lamborghini aims to get approval to build the model by the end of June, but the timing and final outcome of the talks are difficult to predict, the people said. "We haven't decided on the series production of the Lamborghini Urus yet," Audi said in an e-mailed statement. "Once this has been clarified, the question about the production location will be posed."

Audi is seeking to broaden Lamborghini's lineup beyond two-seat supercars, which have limited appeal in emerging markets such as China where road conditions can be poor.

The Urus would be Lamborghini's first SUV since the boxy LM002 -- the so-called Rambo Lambo -- was culled from the lineup in 1993.

The push comes as the increasing wealth of world's rich led to record sales last year for most major luxury-car makers.

Lamborghini's deliveries in 2014 rose 19 percent to an all-time high of 2,530 cars. Lamborghini has previously said there is the potential to sell 3,000 performance crossovers a year, more than doubling the size of the brand.

"From an entrepreneurial perspective, it's an opportunity," Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said in an interview at Bloomberg's headquarters in New York earlier this year.

Cutting costs

To cut costs, the Urus’ chassis and other key components are set to be produced at other VW factories, such as a plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, where the frame for the Porsche Cayenne SUV is made, said the people. Sales will likely begin in 2017, a report said last year.

Lamborghini may hire as many as 300 workers to assemble the SUV, the people said. Parallel to talks with the government, the Italian carmaker is also seeking more flexible working hours from local unions.

SHANGHAI 2015 - Nissan launches new younger focused Saloon in the Chinese market.

Nissan unveiled the all-new Lannia at Auto Shanghai 2015, a culmination of vision taking the car from concept to reality.

Two years ago in Shanghai, Nissan introduced the Friend-Me Concept, followed by the Lannia Concept in 2014 at the Beijing Motor Show, and Lannia is the tangible expression of the company’s commitment to China.

Building on Nissan’s longstanding success in the sedan market, it’s the first product developed and designed for young Chinese generations, especially those in their 20s and 30s, seen as the nation’s trendsetters.

“Edging forward is not enough. The market in China is moving very fast, especially with the post-1980s generation,” said Titus Liu, Creative Design Manager at Nissan Design China. “They do not want to stick with the status quo, so we are dedicated to finding the next great breakthrough. This is important for us.”

Design and development was led by Nissan Design China, backed by the Nissan Global Design Center. Lannia’s styling speaks to rising Chinese who want to set themselves apart as both edgy and sophisticated, resulting in a stylish new look for a sedan that goes against conventions.

The new model also boasts Nissan’s latest iconic design signatures, such as the V-motion grille, kick-up C-pillar, floating roof and boomerang-shaped headlights.

“Younger drivers have grown up with modern technology, such as smartphones and tablets. For them, connecting and interacting with a car feels natural,” said John Zhang, Chief Product Specialist for the Lannia.

Lannia features integrated infotainment technologies designed exclusively in China, including an advanced audio system with smart-phone connectivity and a seven-inch multimedia display screen. It adds many of Nissan’s advanced safety features for enhanced driver control and security.

Taking center stage at the Nissan booth during Auto Shanghai 2015, Lannia will sit alongside a number of exciting models at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, from April 20 to 29.

One year on for Renault and Dongfeng, and its nearly time to produce the first cars.

• One year after the joint venture agreement with Dongfeng was signed, construction of the Wuhan plant is well under way.
• To boost sales and prepare for future launches, the joint venture is now managing the sales teams of Renault China.
• Before the plant’s first vehicles are launched in 2016, the Renault network will begin selling the Captur next year. 

One year after the creation of Dongfeng Renault Automotive Company (DRAC), Renault’s joint venture with Dongfeng, the Group is on target to launch its first locally manufactured vehicle in China in 2016.

Work on the plant in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, is moving forward according to schedule. Construction of the facility has been completed, and the assembly lines are currently being installed.

Several important milestones were achieved on the C segment crossover which will be the first vehicle to be manufactured at the plant. Renault engineering signed off responsibility to DRAC in April, and the first prototypes were manufactured and homologated this autumn.

“I would like to stress the commitment of our teams, both diverse and multicultural, over the course of this year. We made progress on all fronts involving production and sales, in terms of developing the range as well as our joint venture,” said DRAC CEO Jacques Daniel.

A high local content rate

The synergies offered by Dongfeng and Nissan, present in China for ten years running, have buoyed the project in terms of both the building of the plant and manufacturing, promising increased speed and lower costs. The Wuhan region boasts a particularly dense network of suppliers, resulting in a high local content rate from the outset. 

DRAC now oversees Renault China network teams

On July 1, DRAC took over management of the Renault Beijing Automotive Co. (RBAC) teams in charge of selling and marketing imported Renault vehicles in China. This change has stimulated the coordination of the country’s one hundred or so dealerships as they prepare for future launches. The Captur, which was presented at the Beijing Motor Show last April, will be sold in 2015.

USA - Ultimate Golf, the R 400, arrives at Los Angeles to wow the crowds.

• Ultimate concept version of the Golf R has 394-horsepower 2.0-liter TSI engine
• Accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, top speed of 174 mph
• Vehicle’s design and performance inspired by VW’s motorsport experience
• Power is put to the blacktop via 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system

After making its global debut at the Beijing Auto Show earlier this year, Volkswagen of America is presenting the exciting Golf R 400 concept car for the first time in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show. 

Developed by R GmbH, the Golf R 400 concept shows just how far the Golf R can be taken using the experience gained from VW’s involvement in World Rallycross (WRC). The “400” in the name refers to the vehicle’s 400 PS (394 horsepower) 2.0-liter TSI® engine, which propels the car from zero to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 173 mph.

The Golf R 400, including its all-wheel drive system, weighs just 1,420 kilograms (3,130 pounds) thanks in part to its compact high-performance engine and lightweight dual-clutch gearbox. Its weight-to-power ratio is a stellar 7.72 pounds per horsepower (3.55 kg per PS). The 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive system is one of the most fuel-efficient systems of its kind and the Golf is also exceptionally aerodynamic, even in R 400 form. 

The car is painted in "Silver Flake" and features a glossy black roof, carbon-look front splitter, and genuine carbon mirror caps. Inside, additional carbon accents further reiterate the Golf R 400’s sporty nature.

R 400 Drivetrain

The Golf R 400 is powered by a 2.0 TSI four-cylinder engine with the technical genes of VW’s WRC racing engine. Compared to the 292-hp engine in the production Golf R, the Golf R 400 develops more than 100 additional horsepower—394 hp, delivered at 7,200 rpm. The specific power output of around 200 hp per liter is on the same level as a supercar’s. The engine's maximum torque was increased to 332 pound feet, up from 280 lbft, available between 2,400 and 6,000 rpm.

In this car, the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system is coupled with a six-speed manual transmission. The all-wheel drive system, which features a Haldex-5 coupling, is activated even before slip occurs. Under low load conditions, or during coastdown, the front wheels handle most of the propulsive power, while the rear axle is decoupled, saving on fuel.

If necessary, the rear axle of the Golf R can be variably engaged in fractions of a second. This is done by means of the Haldex coupling that is activated by an electro-hydraulic oil pump.

Along with the Haldex coupling—which acts as a center differential—the electronic differential locks (EDS) integrated in the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system act laterally. In addition, the Golf R 400 is equipped with the XDS+ system on both the front and rear axles, which brakes the inside wheels and optimizes steering response. 

The Golf R 400 also has an "ESC Sport" function like that of the production car, activated via a two-stage switch on the center console. When the driver presses the button briefly, the "ESC Sport" mode is selected. When engaged in spirited driving in this mode, the ESC does not intervene as frequently. If the ESC button is held down more than three seconds, “race mode” is engaged, designed for high-speed track driving.

The production Golf R’s sport suspension, which is lowered by 0.8 inches compared with a regular Golf, did not have to be changed for the Golf R 400. In front, the two Golf Rs each have a strut-type layout with lower control arms, with a multi-link suspension at the rear. 

The aluminum-alloy wheels of the Golf R 400 are based on the 19-inch "Cadiz" production wheels, but they were highly modified and equipped with high-gloss black inserts which are designed as air vanes to help to cool the brake system. Like the production Golf R, the tires are sized 235/35 R19.

Exterior design

Volkswagen Design made wide-ranging changes to the Golf R 400. The body was widened by 0.8 inches on each side to accommodate the 19-inch wheels that are further outboard due to their larger wheel offset. In front, the designers developed an entirely new front bumper, which—harking back to the Rallye Golf G60 of 1988—is significantly flared. 

Similarly, the rear fenders were also flared over the wider rear wheels. In addition, the lower sides of the car are characterized by a wrap-around splitter made of carbonfiber that doubles as a motorsport-style aerodynamic element.

Beneath the high-gloss black radiator grille with "Lemon Yellow" accents, there’s a slot that serves as an air intake to address the Golf R 400’s elevated cooling requirements. 

On the bumper, the central air inlets are surrounded by C-shaped wing-like elements with high-gloss black inserts. Nestled between these design elements is a protective screen whose honeycomb structure—like so many details of the Golf R 400—is reminiscent of motorsport vehicles. There is also a motorsport-style splitter at the front, with a cabonfiber look.

At the rear, the wrap-around motorsport splitters transition into a diffuser that protrudes slightly from the body. Two exhaust tailpipes are integrated into the diffuser, recalling the Golf R32—the original R-series model that debuted in 2002. However, in the R 400, the inside of the tailpipes has a honeycomb-look that ties in to the design on the front of the car. 

The rear bumper has been redesigned with C-shaped carbon inlays at each end, with a reflector in the lower horizontal part of each inlay and the vertical part protruding slightly. The designers have also worked in wheelarch exhaust vents. On top, the black roof transitions into a roof spoiler with an integrated LED light bar.

Interior

Inside the Golf R 400, the driver and front passenger have motorsport-style bucket seats with integrated head restraints, openings for seatbelts, and “R” badges embroidered on the back. The cross-quilted middle seat panels are finished in Anthracite colored Alcantara; the seat bolsters, headrests, and lower lateral supports are covered in ex clusive "carbon leather". The divided rear seats also have carbon leather outer areas, with Alcantara seating surfaces in the center.

Carbon is used as the dominant material for accents in the doors and on the passenger's side of the dashboard—in contrast to the exterior, however, it is glossy rather than matte clearcoat. The center console accents, cockpit surround and trim around the air nozzles are designed with a glossy “Piano Black” piano. 

Contrasting stitching in the car’s signature yellow accent color is used also throughout the interior. There is white ambience lighting around the door accents and the stainless steel door sill plates.

Peugeot re-invents the EXALT concept car for Paris.

• European version of PEUGEOT EXALT Concept Car brings a host of innovative features
• Hybrid petrol-electric power train has a combined output of 340hp
• A new version of ‘Newspaper Wood’ returns to uniquely tailor the Concept’s bespoke interior

PEUGEOT is showcasing the EXALT Concept Car in a new livery at the Paris Motor Show next month. The bodywork features shades of grey that emanate from the bare steel covering the majority of the exterior to the distinctive ‘Shark Skin’ rear end. Inside, the ‘Newspaper Wood’ finish borrows (literally) from the pages of major business dailies.

The tailgate features an ingenious opening mechanism and provides easy access to the HYbrid-kick, an innovative electric scooter, stowed below the boot floor.

With EXALT, PEUGEOT continues to build on the imposing vision of large-saloon initiated with the ONYX Concept in 2012. A vision embodied by materials that achieve a blend of balance, local sourcing, recycling-based production and more.

This new automotive experience is powered by a petrol-electric HYbrid4 drivetrain with a combined output of 340hp.

“PEUGEOT’s 125-year automobile history is punctuated by models that made a mark on their era. With the EXALT Concept, the Brand has reasserted its position and opened a new chapter. We are moving forward, resolutely, with confidence.”

Maxime Picat, PEUGEOT Brand Chief Executive Officer

A dynamic saloon

With its sleek, athletic lines, EXALT embodies all the power of PEUGEOT design. Sitting on wide tracks with powerfully rounded wheel arches, the five-door saloon expresses its style over a length of 4.70m, combining flat surfaces and straight-cut lines to strike the perfect balance between aggressiveness and softness.  EXALT is unashamedly radical, stripped of any superfluous materials to retain only what is necessary. All materials have been carefully selected with an eye to efficiency.

“The PEUGEOT EXALT is athletic, powerful and sleek, sporting an array of original materials. Its cabin, trimmed in natural materials, is dedicated to comfort and instinctive driving. This innovative concept makes the saloon even more attractive and more versatile, in particular the tailgate, with its unique opening mechanism and large boot.”

Pierre Paul Mattei, PEUGEOT EXALT Styling Manager

In homage to the art of the French motor car from the twenties and thirties, the car's bare steel bodywork is hand-formed by a master panel-beater.

EXALT is one of a kind, offering a fresh take on time-honoured traits synonymous with automobile passion: taut, dynamic lines, a high waist line, a raked windscreen, a low roof (just 1.31m), a very slender profile that conceals a nonetheless spacious cabin, tightly shaped side panels with basalt-fibre sills and 20-inch wheels.

The long bonnet grows out of a particularly expressive front end, where the twin headlamps, set into the bumper, integrate the Brand’s recognisable signature lighting. In the middle, the distinctive grille emerges from the bodywork and provides the backdrop for the PEUGEOT Lion badge. At the bottom, the flow of air supplying the engine is divided by fins housing the LED indicators.

To improve the drag coefficient, the rear of EXALT is trimmed in ‘Shark Skin’, an efficient textile that draws on ‘bio-mimicry’ to create a technical grain structure that markedly improves the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle and reduces fuel consumption. This feature is highlighted by Coupe Franche - a clear line between the rear door and the quarter light that creates a sophisticated tone-on-tone transition between the bare steel and the grey of the ‘Shark Skin’. The result is a finish notably different from the version seen at the Beijing Motor Show last April.

The material contributes to EXALT’s aerodynamic performance—with a SCx of 0.6 - alongside other elements, including an air extractor in the rear bumper, the curve of the roof and the profiled mirrors. With such remarkable aerodynamics, EXALT's impact on its surroundings is visual more than anything else, enhanced by a horizontal band in the hollow of the rear spoiler showing the width of the car and the sculpted facet of the lighting signature.

“With EXALT, PEUGEOT has unveiled its vision of the saloon, combining a sleek design with versatility. This radical approach and EXALT’s original qualities make it instantly desirable.”

Gilles Vidal, PEUGEOT Design Director

The PEUGEOT EXALT also offers exceptional versatility for a saloon. The tailgate features an innovative pantograph mechanism, which allows maximum opening while needing less space externally. The tailgate and integral motorised hobby flap reveals a boot with a low load sill, providing easy access to the HYbrid-kick Concept - a foldaway electric scooter stowed below the boot floor that represents an ideal addition when it comes to covering last-mile mobility. Its ease of use makes getting around town so much easier.

“PEUGEOT holds a unique position in the market with its range of two-, three- and four-wheeled mobility solutions. Combining an electric scooter with our EXALT Concept demonstrates PEUGEOT's ability to offer an integrated, innovative solution to cover last-mile mobility requirements.”

Xavier Peugeot, PEUGEOT Product Director

Instinctive driving

“This project was inspired by the world of music, in which harmony is a fundamental notion. Notes come together to create a score that is profoundly moving. This is how technology and tradition merge together in EXALT. In the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit, the raised digital instrument panel combines with a number of toggle switches. The result is pure and timeless.”

Alessandro Riga, PEUGEOT EXALT Interior Stylist

The PEUGEOT i-Cockpit delivers an intense driving experience dedicated to enjoyment. The small steering wheel is trimmed in leather and chiné—a natural wool-based mixed fabric—and the digital instrument panel is intuitively arranged in front of the driver to improve operation and visibility. On the extended centre console, two folding touchscreens emerge from the dashboard. The upper screen gives access to the on-board computer and the Hi-Fi and navigation systems. The second screen presents a permanently visible control bar to provide access to the automatic air conditioning and the ‘Pure Blue’ system.

The dashboard features nine toggle switches, the design of which is borrowed from the world of music. They are arranged in two groups: two to the left of the small steering wheel; seven to the right. This layout was adopted because of the human brain’s ability to easily remember up to seven items, with regard to position and function. The driver is also free to assign functions to the switches, as desired: access to navigation with one switch, vehicle settings with another, etc.

Activation of the black light system can also be assigned to one of the toggle switches. Built into the headlamps, this system is particularly useful when driving at dawn or dusk: visibility issues are reduced and driving becomes more relaxed with black light improving the clarity of road markings.

For the comfort of its occupants, the PEUGEOT EXALT is fitted with an innovative air treatment system called ‘Pure Blue’. When the vehicle is stationary and unoccupied, Pure Blue emits bactericides and fungicides to purify the cabin surfaces. Once the vehicle is moving, an active filter treats the air before it enters the cabin, eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOC) and fine particles. As a result, driver and passengers can always travel in a purified environment.

Visionary design

“The PEUGEOT EXALT features raw and natural elements paired with innovative and efficient materials. The idea was to finish the car with useful touches and to do so intelligently, with a view to constantly optimising processes to economise on the use of materials and reduce waste. This responsible approach is also applied in the local sourcing of materials, such as replacing the Asian ebony used in China with Newspaper Wood in Europe.”

Sophie Gazeau, PEUGEOT EXALT Colours and Materials Stylist

The PEUGEOT EXALT advances the approach initiated by the ONYX Concept in 2012.

In a nod to the work carried out on the body of the vehicle, bare steel is used to accentuate the car's expressive lines. Associated parts such as the wheels are also kept bare to highlight the markings left by the milling machines.

Steel remains bare in all areas where it does not come into contact with the four occupants. At the elbows and arm contact points, EXALT is trimmed in warm toned wood. From the bottom of the windows, it gives way to a natural wool-based chiné fabric used to trim the door panels, the dashboard and the interior roof. Between these two materials, a 3D-printed strip conceals the speakers of the Hi-Fi system. Its structure draws inspiration from anechoic chambers where the dihedral partitions reduce acoustic interference.

The PEUGEOT EXALT provides the utmost comfort for passengers and driver alike. The bucket seats made of composite material feature seat squabs and backrest in chiné fabric with side areas in aged leather. Fabric and leather are worked together in a process that optimises the use of resources. To avoid off-cuts and waste, the fabric is shaped using clamps. This simple process takes inspiration from the tradition of the finest gentlemen’s tailoring to create surfaces with crisp folds and no stitching.

Leather used in cars is traditionally selected for the absence of markings then tanned to make it flawless. The EXALT Concept optimises the skins, drawing on these apparent imperfections to make each a unique signature. Then the leathers are aged naturally, without the use of chemicals.

As part of the campaign to ensure sourcing as close as possible to relevant markets, in China, EXALT used ebony, chosen because of its plentiful growth in Asia; in Europe, this material has been replaced by ‘Newspaper Wood’, which, as the name implies, is made from recycled newspapers. This new type of wood has evolved since its initial use on the ONYX Concept. It is now obtained by recycling business papers, creating a distinctive salmon-pink hue.

Finally, carbon fibre gives way to basalt fibre, a natural composite. Produced by smelting the stone of the same name, basalt fibre reduces the use of petrochemical resources.

High-performance drive train

Weighing just 1,700kg, the PEUGEOT EXALT is powered by a plug-in HYbrid4 drive train with a combined maximum power of 340hp shared between the four wheels.

The chiselled bonnet houses the 1.6-litre THP 270hp engine developed by PEUGEOT Sport. Coupled with a six-speed automatic gearbox, this four-cylinder petrol engine develops a specific power output of nearly 170hp per litre, making it one of the best in the world.

The multi-link rear axle contains a 50kW electric motor for electric or hybrid phases of operation. This motor is also used to recharge the battery through energy-recovery braking. On deceleration, braking is produced by the resistant torque of the electric motor. In this way HYbrid4 technology draws electricity from kinetic energy that would otherwise be dissipated as heat through the braking system.

HYbrid4 is smart technology able to instantly adapt to the driver’s wishes by selecting the most suitable mode: all-electric, petrol-only or as a petrol-electric hybrid, allowing the driver to feel the intensity of the journey and savour PEUGEOT’s expertise in road performance.

With the PEUGEOT EXALT, the Brand has unveiled its imposing future vision of the saloon, demonstrating once again that emotion is an integral part of its heritage and genes.