Peugeot Quartz SUV concept revealed for Paris

Peugeot has revealed images of its new SUV concept, named Quartz. It is slated to make public debut at the Paris motor show next month.

The Quartz concept is designed to show Peugeot’s vision of a high-performance plug-in hybrid SUV for the future. Described by Peugeot as combining “the body of an SUV with the cabin of a sedan,” the concept features scissor doors, no B-pillar and a retractable step for easy access.

The sleek crossover measures 4500mm long by 2060mm wide and sits on 23-inch alloy wheels shod in 305mm Continental tyres. The alloys are covered with composite flaps that optimise aerodynamic flow and help cool the brakes.

LED headlights feature at the front and rear, with Peugeot’s lion badge featuring prominently as part of the front grille. The concept’s long bonnet flows towards a low-slung cabin, and there are two small spoilers where the roofline meets the rear hatch.

Power for the plug-in hybrid comes from a four-cylinder, 1.6-litre THP 270 petrol engine and two electric motors making a combined 493bhp. The powertrain is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. The front electric motor uses regenerative braking to charge the 400-volt battery during deceleration and provides assistance to the combustion engine during gear changes.

Three driving modes are available, with the electric-only ZEV mode offering emissions-free driving. Road mode uses both the petrol and the front electric motor for power. The second electric motor only goes into action when the Race mode is engaged. Power is sent to all four wheels supplemented by a limited-slip differential.

The Quartz concept features a MacPherson suspension set-up at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. A pneumatic system can automatically adjust the model’s ride height between 300 and 350mm. The system features technology that scans the road ahead through a combination of cameras and navigation data.

The new concept is based on PSA’s EMP2 platform, which was introduced on the Peugeot 308, and will eventually underpin a wide range of models.

Inside, the Quartz features a new take on Peugeot’s i-Cockpit design, which can be found on its latest breed of production cars. Four bucket seats are fitted with racing harnesses, while the cabin is trimmed with a mixture of leather and "digitally woven textile" that uses fibre derived from recycled plastic water bottles. Digital weaving enables large and complex components to be created in the specific shape that they will be used, with no cutting or waste.

A multi-function steering wheel sits in front of the driver and driving information is displayed on two digital dashboard readouts and a head-up display.

The Quartz concept will be seen at the Paris motor show alongside Peugeot’s re-worked Exalt, 208 Hybrid Air and 308 GT models.