Peugeot do have an interesting track record of creating a real mixed bag of concept cars. 2014’s Peugeot Exalt was a fine, solid piece of engineering which although undoubtedly looked “of the future”, it wasn’t a future too distant or too alien. The Peugeot 20cup, however, which was rolled out in front of disbelieving eyes in 2005 resembled the front end of a car welded onto the back end of a moped. Not a great moment.
Thankfully, the Instinct is closer to the former than the latter example. The stealth bomber good looks and sharp lines certainly give it a slight “other world” look we would expect from a concept car, but like the Exalt, it would not invite laughter being driven into a supermarket car park.
The Peugeot Instinct is a concept car designed to showcase the future of autonomous driving, connectivity, and smart technology. With sleek, futuristic styling and innovative technology, the Instinct blurs the lines between driving pleasure and autonomous convenience and It integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver an adaptive driving experience, making the vehicle responsive to its environment and user’s preferences.
Design and Development
The Peugeot Instinct features a bold, aerodynamic design that reflects its futuristic capabilities. With a fastback-style silhouette, wide stance, and aggressive front grille, the Instinct stands out visually. Its design is meant to signal both performance and luxury while optimizing aerodynamics for efficiency.
Exterior Design
The Instinct’s design is highlighted by sharp LED headlights, a muscular rear section, and large, aerodynamically designed wheels. The concept car’s sleek lines and minimalistic design reflect a forward-thinking approach to vehicle aesthetics, where form follows function.
Chassis and Drivetrain
Although specific performance details are not the focus of the concept, the Instinct uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The car’s design revolves around the seamless integration of advanced technologies rather than pure speed, focusing on eco-friendly driving modes and intelligent energy use.
Autonomous Driving and AI Integration
The Peugeot Instinct concept is centered around its Level 5 autonomous driving capability, which means it is fully self-driving without any human intervention. The car offers both autonomous and manual driving modes, allowing drivers to choose between enjoying the pleasure of driving and relaxing during autonomous operation. The Instinct boasts of the highest level of this autonomous feature meaning that it should be every bit as capable in any given situation as a human. You could, in theory, download different driving styles, allowing you to be driven in the style of Colin McRae, Lewis Hamilton or Richard Hammond whilst eating a bowl of cereal.
What sets the Instinct apart is its use of Samsung’s Artik Cloud, a cloud-based AI that learns and adapts to the driver’s habits and preferences. The vehicle can sync with a user’s smartphone, smart home devices, and other connected technologies, adjusting settings like seat position, lighting, and infotainment to suit the driver’s routine. In practice this could mean that when you unlock your car door, your house doors automatically lock behind you. Information collected by your smartwatch might suggest that you didn’t put enough effort in at the gym so will park you further from your destination forcing you to get out and walk.
Interior and Features
The interior of the Peugeot Instinct is futuristic and minimalist, focusing on user comfort and interaction with the car’s technology. The cabin is designed to switch seamlessly between manual and autonomous driving, featuring retractable controls in autonomous mode.
- Steering and Driving Controls: When in autonomous mode, the steering wheel and pedals retract, giving the driver more space.
- Infotainment and Connectivity: The car’s interior is equipped with advanced touchscreens and interactive displays that allow for seamless interaction between the driver and the vehicle’s AI system.
Key Features
- Autonomous Driving (Level 5): Fully autonomous with manual driving options.
- Cloud-Based AI: Adapts to user preferences and integrates with connected devices.
- Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain: Eco-friendly with advanced energy management.
- Futuristic Design: Aerodynamic and minimalistic with advanced lighting.
Legacy and Market Impact
The Peugeot Instinct concept represents the future of autonomous driving and vehicle connectivity. While not a production model, it showcases Peugeot’s vision of how technology will revolutionize the relationship between drivers and their vehicles. The car’s blend of AI, connectivity, and user adaptability gives a glimpse into the evolution of personal mobility.
The 2017 Peugeot Instinct concept is a futuristic vision of connected, autonomous driving. With its plug-in hybrid powertrain, AI integration, and innovative design, it represents Peugeot’s exploration of new technologies that will shape the future of the automotive industry. Though it remains a concept, the ideas behind the Instinct could influence future production vehicles as the industry moves toward smarter, more autonomous transportation solutions.
Styling and power
The 300hp hybrid powertrain beneath the bonnet is quite a beast and the aerodynamics of the Instinct have clearly been a key consideration in its design. An active spoiler and air blade pop out when the car reaches 56mph to increase downforce and an integrated air duct runs down the length of the car forcing air down a narrow space through the doors and over the rear wheel.
So the Instinct is an interesting concept car. It might not be the most outlandish or even the most ambitious, but it strikes us as being a good guess at tomorrow’s cars.
Photo by Olena Bohovyk