Peugeot takes on sports SUV with Quartz concept

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Peugeot has pulled the wraps off the Quartz concept – the company’s take on a high-performance SUV – at the Paris Motor Show. Looking like a futuristic model lifted straight out of a sci-fi movie, the Quartz is said to combine the body of an SUV with the cabin of a sedan.

Its athletic proportions is thanks to its 2.06 metre width and 305mm section tyres. The concept uses a lighting system that features LED units for improved efficiency. The lens-free headlamps are enhanced by a light guide that emerges from the side of the body to divide the air flow.

The car’s lion logo stands in the centre of the grille and is brought to life by a checked pattern that shifts depending on the angle of view.

In profile, the sleek lines ably convey the dynamic feel of the concept. The 23-inch alloys and Continental tyres sit inside generously rounded wheel arches. The overhangs are extremely short to ensure that as much as possible of the 4.50 m body length is used for the vehicle’s occupants. The engine is nonetheless given pride of place under a long bonnet enhanced by louvres that improve air intake. The electronically retractable step adds to a flank inspired by styles found in the textile industry, with fitted pleats fastening the material taut to the structure while lending volume to the wheel arches.

The upper section of the cabin gives the impression of a single block in which the various functions have been carved. The metallic arches encase and attach the polycarbonate windows to the body, enhanced by a sculpted body form that captures the light. They also add to the vehicle’s silhouette by lending a mineral look to the overall finish.

As it flows towards the rear wings, the glass roof moulds into two spoilers that further enhance the aerodynamic design. These are aligned with the separator between the two Quartz finishes: mineral grey at the front—inspired by rock crystal—and matt black for the rear wings, offset by occasional splashes of red.

The Quartz’s efficiency is underscored by the precision of each feature and component. The spokes on the 23-inch alloys have been kept to the bare minimum made possible by the strength of the materials, and are covered by composite flaps. In addition to their style, these flaps also optimise aerodynamic flow and cooling for the brakes, via the air intakes, to ensure improved heat resistance.

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The cabin showcases innovative, efficient materials

A new manufacturing process was used to remove the need for a central pillar and create scissor doors to enable easy access. The Quartz is based on the EMP2 platform that also underpins the recently released Peugeot 308, with a composite structure and bonded panels. In addition to weight savings, this solution offers excellent stiffness, which makes it possible to remove the structural support provided by the central pillar.

A retractable step adds to the comfort of all four passengers. Inside, a range of unexpected materials from both natural and recycled sources contribute to the sensory experience and create an impressive visual and tactile effect.

The strength and lightness of basalt symbolises the Quartz itself and features strongly in the centre console. Basalt is formed when magma is quickly cooled once it comes in contact with the elements. It has the same properties the world over, making sourcing for target markets much easier. In this case, the basalt is left in its raw form to contrast with the other materials used.

The Quartz is the first-ever vehicle to feature digitally woven textile. This innovative process can create large and complex parts that can be used as soon as they come off the machine. No cutting is required, meaning there is no waste. The textile is woven with polyester fibre obtained by recycling the kind of plastic used to make water bottles. The process can also produce parts of significant thickness, making them softer and reducing the need for the foam normally used.

Leather is of course present, in keeping with the greatest automotive traditions. To create a sportier feel, the floor pan, sides and roof are trimmed in black leather, with contact points such as seat cushions and backs trimmed in tawny leather. This fawn-coloured trim is sourced from old furniture and clothing.

To complete the look, the door frames are milled in a block of a composite material, with a red hue used to fill the grooves left by the machine. The resulting pattern of lines creates a sense of movement, which constantly changes the appearance.

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A driver-dedicated i-Cockpit

Inside, each of the four passengers has a bucket seat providing optimal interior space. The seat structure is left exposed and features a four-point retractable harness, with floating cushions and backrests trimmed in tawny leather to ensure excellent comfort.

The driver’s seat has a solid wraparound fit to match the car’s high-end performance, with the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit keeping everything at the driver’s fingertips. The compact steering wheel with embedded controls is borrowed from competition models and offers the utmost efficiency, allowing the driver to use the indicators, change driving mode and shift gears with ease. The head-up display provides a large, configurable screen with a central 45-degree polycarbonate strip to show additional information and create added depth.

The instrument panel is found on both sides of the small steering wheel and head-up display and is angled toward the driver to ensure easy access to the toggle switches. On activating one of these controls, the driver sees the information travel along the relevant optical fibre.

A high-performance drive train

Developing a total of 368kW (500 hp), the full-hybrid plug-in drive train comprises a combustion engine and two electric motors.

The evocatively embossed bonnet houses the 1.6L THP 270 power plant developed by PEUGEOT Sport. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the four-cylinder engine delivers torque of 330 Nm, with a specific output of nearly 125kW (170 hp) per litre, making it one of the world’s top performers. The front axle is also driven by an 85 kW electric motor with direct drive. This charges the 400 V battery during deceleration phases and assists the combustion engine with gear changes. The rear axle also features an 85 kW electric motor for propulsion and battery charging. A specific ESP handles braking distribution between the four wheels to ensure both vehicle stability and optimise battery charging.

There are three driving modes: ZEV can cover up to 50 km on a single battery charge using the plug-in battery; in Road mode, the combustion engine and front electric motor work together to enhance driving pleasure and maximise battery charging during deceleration; Race mode harnesses the power of the engine and both electric motors to get the most out of the chassis and running gear equipped with limited-slip differentials. This makes it possible to divide torque between the wheels based on the individual grip of each.

To use the system to its full potential, the Quartz front axle employs bespoke McPherson struts, with a multi-arm arrangement on the rear, including on-board electric motor. The pneumatic suspension automatically adjusts ground clearance between 300 and 350 mm. This function is controlled by an optical system that literally reads the road, using cameras linked to a navigation system to anticipate changes in the road surface.

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