Peugeot unveils Polygon concept

The concept car, at less than four meters long, is the first likely glimpse of the new Peugeot 208 - which, as previously reported, will be offered exclusively as the BEV e-208.

Although Peugeot hasn’t directly stated that the Polygon is a direct preview of the new e-208, there are some strong clues. The Stellantis-owned French car brand says the Polygon “previews the Peugeots of tomorrow” and includes a number of features similar to or akin to those tipped for the e-208. For example, there’s a complete re-work of the steering, which in the Polygon means a new Hypersquare steering wheel as well as new drive-by-wire technology. There’s also an adaptive steering ratio system based on speed; at low speeds, the maximum rotation is limited to less than one full turn in either direction for better manoeuvring, while at higher speeds, input is made more sensitive so that smaller movements will suffice. electrive has previously covered how the new e-208 will feature a rectangular steering wheel rather than a round one, with this having been hinted at three years ago with the CES study ‘Inception’.

We’ve also explored previously how the e-208 is set for a major overhaul of the cockpit, and the Polygon concept gives some major hints here: Peugeot’s new ‘i-Cockpit’ sees the windscreen become part of the digital display system, with a micro-LED panel projecting information into the driver’s line of sight from behind the steering controls. Inside, there are many modular components which can be replaced or swapped, including the steering control, wheel covers, seat foam and more.

Peugeot concept bev polygon — Image: Peugeot

Images: Peugeot

Stellantis has also explored some changes to its manufacturing process with the Polygon concept – it touts increased use of recycled materials throughout the vehicle, with the entire cabin being made of forged textiles and the seats featuring a shell made from 3D-printed recycled plastic. The two upwards-opening butterfly doors are a particularly striking addition, with Stellantis saying it “improves cabin accessibility”. Besides that, there are three trims: Urban, Player, and Explorer, which were recently debuted at a virtual island called ‘Polygon City’ in the video game Fortnite.

How much of this will make it into the new e-208 or the SLTA Small platform in 2026 remains to be seen, but if the Polygon concept is anything to go by, it’s clear that Peugeot tends to differentiate its next compact hatch with a stronger digital UI, customisation, more interactive lighting and cladding, and of course, the transition to drive-by-wire – itself a first for the Stellantis group.

stellantis.com