Peugeot Quartz concept boasts innovative cabin materials

Giving hybrid doubters something mull over, Peugeot has unveiled its latest crossover, the Quartz concept. Aside from a rather futuristic-looking exterior that unambiguously shouts out its athletic personality, the Peugeot Quartz concept's "sedan half" also flaunts new cabin materials and processes that not only add passenger comfort and class, but also a bit of environmental consciousness as well.

The Quartz concept blends the sportiness of an SUV with the passenger cabin of a sedan. That "ultra athletic" character, as Peugeot calls it, is evident in both its engine and its design. The Quartz carries inside it a four-cylinder 1.6L THP 270 engine capable of running at a max of 500 hp. That's roughly 170 hp per liter. That said, the Quartz delivers three driving modes to fit the need for speed, or the battery capacity. ZEV mode maximizes the battery, covering up to 50 km on a single charge. Road mode tries to provide balance between performance and battery usage. Race mode, obviously, gives the biggest output of the engine and the Quartz' two electric motors.

The body of the Quartz concept also bears the imprint of a high-performance vehicle, with distinct lines and angles that even gives it a slightly futuristic air. The car's lighting system utilizes LED for better output but not at the expense of energy. The lion logo on the front grille is flanked by a checkered pattern that seemingly shifts depending on the viewing angle. The 23-inch alloys are covered with composite flaps that aren't there just for looks but also enhance aerodynamic flow and brake cooling. The lines of the Quartz in profile leave no doubt about the dynamic personality of the crossover, and the red accents used all throughout, particularly against the matte black of the rear wings, help emphasize that character of aggressiveness and movement.

Inside the cabin is somewhat the opposite, designed more for comfort and luxury, except for tinges of red, particularly on the door grooves. Aside from the absence of a central pillar, leaving more room inside, the materials used for the cabin are also quite notable. Basalt, a natural by-product of quickly cooled magma and easily available, is used for the center console. The Quartz concept also uses digitally woven textile that requires no more cutting and therefore reduces waste. The textile is also made from polyester fiber from recycling plastic, which can be made to be both thick yet soft, removing the need to use foam. Of course, one cannot escape the use of leather, which can be found in black on the floor pan, sides, and roof, and in tawny leather on seat cushions and backs. The Peugeot Quartz concept all puts due emphasis on the comfort of the driver, with the driver seat featuring a solid wraparound. The car's i-Cockpit is also designed for ease of use and reach, with embedded controls in the compact steering wheel and the heads-up display angled towards the driver.

Peugeot has yet to announce any availability detail for the Quartz concept.

SOURCE: Peugeot