Peugeot Exalt concept unwrapped ahead of Beijing debut

Peugeot is set to unwrap the Exalt concept at next week’s Beijing Motor Show. The new concept represents Peugeot’s “vision of the saloon” with an exposed steel body hand-beaten into shape, a design inspiration from French cars in the 1920s and 1930s.

A unique “Shark Skin” textile coating surface on certain body panels of the concept helps improve vehicle aerodynamic for better fuel efficiency, claimed Peugeot.

The Exalt concept weights a hefty 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs), with an overall length of 4.7 metres and a height of 1.31 metres. Propulsion comes from a four-cylinder 1.6-litre THP turbocharged engine sourced from the company’s current halo model, the RCZ R coupe. The petrol engine is paired with a rear axle mounted 50 kW electric motor. Combined the hybrid system punches out 253 kW (340 hp) to the wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Echoing the space-age exterior, the cabin boasts a host of digital instrument and touchscreen displays. The two-deck center console features a LCD at the top section for infotainment functions, while the lower display operates the Pure Blue air purification and climate control system.

The steering wheel is wood-trimmed and leather-wrapped, while the sports bucket seats are made from wool-based fabric and leather.

Peugeot has not released performance figures but all that weight from the wood-trimmed interior means the Exalt will not be lightning fast.