peugeot instinct electric self driving concept car

peugeot reveals a glimpse into the future of mobility with its ‘instinct’ concept, an electric shooting brake which offers the option of fully autonomous driving. the french-automaker’s concept is powered by a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain, offering 300 horsepower. featuring both ‘drive’ and ‘autonomous’ modes, the driver has options between an engaging drive, and the convenience of a self driving vehicle.

all images © peugeot

the peugeot ‘instinct’ concept vehicle is programmed with four distinct driving settings. in ‘drive’ mode, drivers can opt for ‘drive boost’, or ‘drive relax’, and in ‘autonomous’ mode they have the option of ‘autonomous soft’, or ‘autonomous sharp’, balancing comfort with optimized journey times. on board technology includes an ‘internet of things’ (IOT) platform, and the samsung ‘artiktm‘ cloud, which syncs with the user’s devices. this enables the car to learn its user’s lifestyle and preconfigure its settings: driving mode, seat and interface settings, ambient lighting, and audio can be adapted seamlessly to the user’s routines. it can read data from a smartwatch and configure its settings to ‘autonomous soft’ mode, giving the driver a relaxing ride home after a trip to the gym. or, through the synchronization of the driver’s diary, and the vehicle navigation system, the car prompts the driver to set off for an appointment 15 minutes earlier, allowing for traffic and weather conditions at that time of day.

externally, the elegant, sculpted body is designed for maximum fuel efficiency, plus to catch the eye with a sense of prestige. this styling houses peugeot instinct’s innovative technology, including cameras in each LED headlamp which enable the car to scan the road ahead, and communicate with the driving assistance systems. however, the driver remains fully in control at all times, and is able to determine whether they have a hands-on, or autonomous drive.

inside, the ‘instinct’ concept vehicle evolves the peugeot ‘i-cockpit‘ interior architecture with a tactile, adaptable cabin, which switches from being a focused driving environment to a comfortable lounge space. materials in the cabin have been selected for high levels of tactility; a unique floor gives it a luxurious, smooth feel to touch, plus durability, and a contemporary feel. the responsive cockpit seen inside reacts when switching between ‘drive’ and ‘autonomous’ modes to create a suitable environment according to how the car is being used. when in ‘autonomous’ mode, the peugeot compact steering wheel and toggle switch panel fold into the dashboard, and the accelerator pedal folds back into the pedal unit to maximize space.

in both ‘drive’ and ‘autonomous’ modes, the driver retains control over the vehicle via an ‘i-device’, which sits next to a 9.7” screen in the centre console. this device enables the driver to switch between modes so they can take action, like overtaking the car in front. peugeot ‘instinct’ showcases optimal levels of seating adjustment, taking inspiration from aeronautic design.  the seat base, seat back, and headrest are all treated individually, allowing the occupant to select the position most suited to them – horizontal if they want to rest, upright to drive, or in-between to watch a film or work. all passengers can also communicate with the vehicle via a chatbot, a speech-driven personal assistant offering a vast array of services, including booking cinema tickets, or buying online.