A Fusion of French and Chinese Culture

Peugeot has released details of the concept car, "EXALT", which will make its debut at the Beijing Motor Show opening on the 19th.

The body measures 4.7m in length and 1.3m in height, with a vehicle weight of 1,700kg. Created as a coupe-style five-door sports hatch, the EXALT is based on a design combining flat planes and straight lines, expressing both aggression and dynamism, as well as softness. It is a special vehicle that has shed unnecessary materials and adopted materials symbolizing French and Chinese culture.

As reported the other day, the EXALT has a unique body composed of two parts: a section made of raw metal and a section from the C-pillar back (the red part) treated with a sharkskin-like material. Peugeot states that the surface treatment of this solid body is an homage to French cars manufactured in the 1920s and 1930s, expressing a passion for the long history of automobile manufacturing.



Meanwhile, the rear section, named "sharkskin," was adopted to reduce air resistance and improve fuel efficiency. This is an attempt to improve aerodynamics by applying a shape to the car similar to shark skin, a concept known as biomimicry.

The rear tailgate is also distinctive, employing a pantograph mechanism for opening and closing. This system efficiently utilizes limited space. The lion emblem at the center of the powerful front grille carries a dual meaning: not only as a symbol of Peugeot but also as a Chinese cultural symbol representing power and prestige.

The World Premiere Stage: Beijing Motor Show

The interior, revealed for the first time, is breathtaking. The first thing that catches the eye is the beautiful ebony door trim with embossed relief. Moving to the cockpit, a futuristic digital instrument cluster featuring Peugeot's unique infotainment system, i-Cockpit, is arranged in a horizontal line with toggle switches.

The seats are bucket-type, combining aged leather, carbon fiber, and a new material based on natural wool woven into a fine twill, creating a cabin with a novel sense of fusion between Chinese tradition and French modernity.



Another unique feature is the EXALT's built-in air purification system called Pure Blue. This system operates only when the car is stationary and unoccupied. It purifies the cabin by spraying a sterilizing agent to remove volatile organic compounds and particulate matter from the air.

The powertrain is Peugeot's proprietary 4WD hybrid system, "Hybrid4," which combines a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. This is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The tires are 20-inch Michelin sports tires.

The EXALT will be unveiled on the 19th of this month at the Peugeot booth during the Beijing Motor Show.