Peugeot HX1 Concept Pushes Avant-Garde Design with Plug-in Hybrid Engine

When considering French auto design, usually Citroen is seen as the vanguard, but Peugeot is pushing the limits of contemporary auto design with its HX1 Concept. It is a long, wide and low five-door hatchback whose design blends a long, uninterrupted curve for the car's hood and roofline with a matching style line flowing along the doors.

The car's aerodynamic design belies its large size. It is 1.3 meters tall, nearly two meters wide and nearly five meters long. The doors open in reverse suicide-style but also upwards like scissor doors. All of that means it is easier to get in and out despite the car's low height. 

Aerodynamically, the Peugeot is especially unique. The seven vanes in each wheel can open and close to either cool the brakes or make the car more aerodynamic. It also has a rear spoiler and high-mounted side skirts that rise above 100km/h. 

The interior is made from oak inlaid fiber optics, brushed metal and leather. There are also LED strips along the headliner to increase natural lighting. 

Peugeot has used the concept as an opportunity to show its two philosophies in interior design. The front is the Emotion Side designed to to be high tech with lots of brushed metal and digital displays. The car has adaptive steering that will add more weight steering inputs while cruising to make the vehicle feel more stable. An information display can be modified by drivers to show only the information that they want to display. 

The rear is the Motion Side dedicated to passenger comfort. It uses natural materials to make occupants feel more at ease. The rear seats recline and the rear console is made from Carrere marble and includes a minibar and coffee maker. 

The concept also uses Peugeots Hybrid4 diesel technology that is already available in the 3008 and will be available on the 508 RXH. A 2.2 liter, four-cylinder diesel engine making 204hp powers the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor making 95hp powers the rear. The electric motor can be recharged by plugging it in. Using just electric power, the HX1 has a range of 30km. The total power train uses 3.2l/100km and produces 83g/km of CO2. 

The HX1 Concept will be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show starting September 13.