Peugeot has unveiled the e-Legend Concept, an exciting vision of the future of driving pleasure takes the form of a desirable and iconic vehicle. By adopting a realistic and radically modern template, this projection into the future of the automobile magnifies the genes and the elegance of the heritage of the Peugeot brand. In partnership with SoundHound Inc., a leader in artificial intelligence technologies, Peugeot e-Legend Concept offers a voice-activated personal assistant suitable for autonomous driving. In a simple sentence, the driver can change their driving style, listen to their favourite playlist or even open or close the electrified doors of the vehicle.
Peugeout and Focal are preparing tomorrow’s listening together, mixing demand and innovation, for a unique sound experience. Whatever the source, a Focal acoustic architecture ensures optimal sound diffusion. Heralding the future of embedded sound, the system implemented in Peugeot e-Legend Concept is specifically designed to offer two new unprecedented sound functions: the “mapping”, which makes it possible to send the navigation messages to the driver only for example, while the other occupants listen to music; the “zoning”, which allows for the total individualization of the contents, placing each passenger in their sound bubble without mutual nuisance.
Peugeot e-Legend Concept magnifies the DNA of the brand by combining its heritage with the most advanced technologies in the automotive world. Peugeot proves that a hyper-technological vehicle can encompass the traits of a desirable vehicle. The choice of the silhouette of a Coupé for an autonomous vehicle elevates the driving experiences by using very modern codes, a template and realistic and pragmatic proportions.
At the front, the look of the vehicle is identifiable thanks to a visual signature with three claws and two double modules. The technical area is located under the projectors, it includes all the functions of driving aids. The entire front mask is encased in the front wings and split in two by a black aluminum beam, a legacy of chrome-plated stainless steel bumpers.
At the back, the iconic visual signature of the Peugeot range is also three claws and treated in a very technological way. The third brake light, located at the top of the rear window, covers its full width with a multi-blade assembly that reflects itself.
The flanks are treated in three distinct layers with, in particular, an extension of the technical platform in the lower part and a large glazed area, inspired by the sheet metal/glass ratio of the Peugeot 504 Coupé. These large glazed surfaces flood the interior of Peugeot e-Legend Concept with a beautiful light. The wheel arches are carved in negative and the one at the front includes an air passage. It is emphasized by a metal arch surrounding the side windows and magnifying a rear windscreen encased and faceted. Visible from the outside under the rear quarter windscreen, a screen displays a personalized greeting and the charge level to its user before departure. It also warns people outside that the car is driving in autonomous mode. The touch-opening door control is skilfully concealed in the side window.
The body is a shade of grey subtly tinted with champagne, extremely tense. Depending on the outside light, the color changes from a chrome reflecting its entire environment to a polished bronze metal look. The process used is similar to that applied to the bottles of the largest perfumers.
With a view to offering an elegant and luminous interior, the choice of the designers focused on warm materials, counterbalancing the cold digital material: a contract to the frenzied race to all-digital.
Velvet is making a comeback! Chosen in the noblest of uses for its silky and pleasant touch, silk velvet is cleverly mixed with a modern technical mesh that offers more freedom in terms of decoration. This weft is woven digitally and especially for Peugeot e-Legend Concept from a shiny thread reminiscent of the hue of velvet.
The wooden interior looks exceptionally elegant, with a tinge of old-school design, which isn’t only stylish but can also be particularly practical and long-lasting especially with a car cover.
The upper parts and doorways are made from Paldao wood. Made from renewable forests, this exotic wood is very reminiscent of the furniture of the 60s in rosewood or ebony. The dark veins of this variety bring out the turquoise blue on the seats and the floor. To complete the immersion and personalization of its interior, a fragrance diffuser scents the vehicle.
Spread throughout the interior, the digital material (or digital interpretation of real materials) is divided into two major themes: bronze-like line networks or networks of lines imitating cabinetmaking wood. It’s broadcast on 16 screens of different sizes, for example: 49 inches curved under the front helm to the occupants, 29 inches in the doors or 12 inches in each sun visor.
Digital materials have been the subject of in-depth reflection to fit perfectly and blend into the passenger compartment. The centre console provides access to the main driving controls through a rotary control and a 6-inch touchscreen. To the left of the steering wheel, a digital toggle bar is composed of contextual and configurable commands depending on the driving mode.
Perfectly incorporated into a realistic vision of the brand’s energy transition, Peugeot e-Legend Concept is powered by a 100% electric powertrain. With 100 kWh batteries, the engine reaches 800 Nm torque and 340 Kw power distributed to the four-wheel drive. This level of performance makes it possible to travel 0/62 mph in less than 4s and reach a maximum speed of 136 mph. The range is 600 km (about 372 miles) according to the WLTP protocol of which 500 km are accessible in 25 minutes thanks to a fast recharge.
The Peugeot e-Legend Concept will be presented at the 2018 Paris Motor Show next month.