The Inception concept previews Peugeot's next-generation

The Inception is described as featuring a simpler, more refined design language, benefitting from being ‘BEV-by-design’. That’s to say, built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, rather than using an adapted internal combustion platform. BEV-by-design models are said to be joining the Peugeot lineup from this year.

Up front, the claw light design motif is renewed, albeit enlarged and very similar to what we’ve already seen on Peugeot’s 9X8 Le Mans racer. Those lights are merged with the front grille under a glass panel, which also houses the car’s range of front-facing sensors. They feed, among other things, the STLA AutoDrive tech, which Peugeot says allows for Level 4 Autonomy.

A huge glass canopy sees the windscreen sweep down from the roof and through the bonnet, going through to the floor and the occupant’s feet. We can't help but see a bit of Peugeot's stillborn Oxia supercar from the '90s in the way the glass dives into the bodywork at the front. The glass is multi-chrome metal-oxide treated, similar to the visors of astronauts’ helmets, for excellent thermal qualities. Along the side of the car is what Peugeot calls the Tech Bar, which displays battery charge levels and hosts more sensors.

The rear of the Inception is probably its boldest angle, coming to an extremely sharp point for a distinctive waistline wedge in profile. Within the wedge are housed claw lights mirroring those at the front and again, are reminiscent of those seen on the 9X8 racer. All in, we could best describe the design as Peugeot 504 Coupe meets Louvre Pyramid – bold but compelling.

Things get crazier on the inside. The Inception uses its own version of the Stellantis STLA Smart Cockpit technology platform, and the interior previews Peugeot’s next-generation i-Cockpit. Conventional steering wheels be damned, this odd-looking contraption is called the ‘Hypersquare’ control system, featuring thumb-operated touch controls for the air-con, ADAS, media and so on. 

We can’t quite see that one making production from 2025, nor the circular driver’s display atop the dashboard. Peugeot has surprised us before, mind, so this whole thing could wind up being an art-deco preview piece for future dealer stock.

The least concept car fantasy part of the Inception is what powers it. Underneath the chiselled bodywork is a 100 kWh battery and two electric motors, for a total of 680PS (500kW). The 800-volt platform is good for 497 miles of range, though unsurprisingly that figure doesn’t come with WLTP certification. Performance is obviously pretty epic, with 0-62mph claimed in under three seconds. 

If the Inception previews a production model, it’ll definitely be a flagship coupe, in the image of the lovely old 504 Coupe that we’re almost certain inspired it. So what do you think of the Inception? Either way, we can be sure to expect more of where it came from, going forward.