Geneva Show: SR1 Concept Takes Peugeot Design in a New Direction

Peugeot says its SR1 hybrid concept "reveals the stylistic design trends for its future models", and to that Peugeot fans should be saying thank God. This is arguably one of the nicer concepts from the Geneva show, and a home run for the fugly French brand (barring the double-bubblized RCZ).

Meant to be an all-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering GT of the HYbrid4 caliber and packing a combined output of 313 horsepower (while releasing 119g/km in emissions), the SR1 accomplishes one very important goal: it sets a new course in the world of design for a brand that, frankly, has been aesthetically sinking for quite some time.

Inside, there's a funky 2+1 three-person setup which, if someone has a child, ends up making just a bit of sense; consumers driving around with two kids stuffed in the back seat of a GT are trying way too hard. Another nice feature is the custom Bell&Ross watch integrated into the dashboard that's removable.

The HYbrid4 technology, which mates a 218 horsepower 1.6 liter THP 4-cylinder to a 95 horsepower electric motor at the rear, should debut in the highly-unexciting 3008 in 2011. Now, if that same tech were to ever appear in a production version of an SR1 that returned 48 mpg US (4.9L/100km), people would need to get very interested in Peugeot in a hurry.

-By Phil Alex

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Peugeot Previews New 508 Sedan with Geneva Show Concept, Said to Replace Both the 407 and 607

The awkwardly named "5 by Peugeot" is a near-production concept car from Peugeot that will have its world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Salon in the beginning of March. It previews the French firm's all-new 508 sedan that could be revealed as early as this fall at the Paris Motor Show.

The automaker describes the 508 concept car as "another indication of the changing face of Peugeot" and as "providing an insight into the marque's future ambitions in the large luxury vehicle segment."

From what we understand, the production 508 will replace both the VW Passat-fighting 407 and the unsuccessful Audi A6-sized 607 sedan. This is also suggested by the concept model's exterior dimensions which at 4,860mm long, is 42mm shorter than the 607 but 168mm longer than the 407 sedan.

In comparison, the VW Passat measures 4,765mm in length, the Citroen C5 4,779mm, the Opel Insignia 4,830mm, the Ford Mondeo 4,844mm.

As with the SR1 Hybrid roadster that will also be unveiled in Geneva, the exterior styling of the "5 by Peugeot" is less clunky and more elegant than the firm's current offerings, while the gaping-mouth has been replaced with a new grille.

The concept car is powered by Peugeot's HYbrid4 technology, which couples a 163-horsepower 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine, mounted at the front of the vehicle, with a 37-horsepower electric motor located at the rear.

This arrangement provides a combined output of 200HP, an electric only mode for low speed operation, four-wheel drive when required, and low fuel consumption and emissions of 3.8lt /100km (74.3 mpg UK or 61.9 mpg US) and 99 g/km of CO2 or zero in electric mode.

It remains to be seen if Peugeot will at some point offer this diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain on the production model.

DIMENSIONS (mm)	MM
Overall length	4,860
Overall body width	1,880
Kerb height – with full tanks	1,420
Wheelbase	2,815
Front/rear overhang	974 / 1,071
Front/rear track	1 643 / 1,614

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VIDEO: Peugeot SR1 Roadster Concept in Some Virtual Action

A couple of weeks ago Peugeot released the first official photos of its new SR1 hybrid roadster concept that signals a fresh design direction for the French automaker. Now, the company has published a digital promo film that shows the tow-seater hybrid model in some virtual action. Check it out after the jump.

Merci for the tip A. Knesal!

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Peugeot SR1 Hybrid Roadster Showcases New Design Language, Marks the end of Gaping-Mouth Grille Era

This here is the Peugeot SR1 hybrid 2+1 seater roadster concept that will be displayed for the first time at the upcoming 2010 Geneva Salon in March. The significance of the SR1 lies in its styling as the French automaker revealed that it foretells the stylistic design trends for its future models.

In short, this concept car showcases the firm's new design language that abandons the chunky shapes and the much criticized gaping-mouth grille of the current Peugeots in favor of more elegant and sharper looks that hark back to the Pininfarina-era Pugs.

The concept itself, which bears a passing resemblance to Aston Martin's Vantage V8, is a proposal for a low-slung roadster model with a hybrid powertrain.

The SR1's interior, is pure concept though we might see the driver-orientated center console making its way into Peugeot's future production models. The roadster can seat up to three in a 2+1 layout with the rear seat mounted centrally.

The roadster makes use of Peugeot's HYbrid4 technology, which will be available in the company's 3008 crossover from 2011. A front-mounted 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a power output of 218 bhp is combined with a rear electric motor developing 95 bhp.

When the two power trains work simultaneously, the SR1 develops a potential maximum power of 313bhp and also benefits from four-wheel drive.

Peugeot said that in electric only mode, the car becomes a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV), with a combined cycle fuel consumption of 4.9 lt/100km (48.0mpg US) and CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km.

The concept model also benefits from the adoption of 4-wheel steering with the turning angle of the rear wheels controlled as a function of the vehicle speed, via motorized links on the rear wishbones.

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