The future of hatchbacks? Peugeot's new concept EV dazzles with gullwing doors, swappable seats and steer-by-wire tech

• Polygon previews what an upcoming Peugeot 208 could look like
• French firm says steer-by-wire tech will arrive by 2027
• Swappable interior seats would allow for more customization

Peugeot has unleashed its latest, highly futuristic concept car that aims to give us a glimpse into the hatchbacks of tomorrow.

Dubbed Polygon, the wild design study evokes elements of the company’s sportier past, such as the 205 GTi (a hot hatch icon from the 80s and 90s), while simultaneously transporting us well into the future with gullwing doors, next-gen head-up displays and a square steering wheel.

The ‘Hypersquare’, as Peugeot refers to it, is a look at the upcoming steer-by-wire technology that is due to arrive in 2027. Rather than a mechanical link between the wheel and the front axle, steering is handled by software.

Tesla debuted a similar system in its Cybertruck, which allowed for much faster steering ratios at lower speed, making it much easier to maneuver the hulking pick-up truck in confined spaces.

Image 1 of 6

Peugeot has taken the idea one step further, as its lozenge-shaped innovation affords a much better view of the dashboard ahead. That’s a good thing, because the French marque plans to use that area as a projector to beam infotainment data onto the windscreen. No more massive touchscreens.

This next-generation of Peugeot’s iCockpit is said offer the equivalent of a 31-inch display beamed directly onto the windshield that will alter its information based on the driving mode selected. On top of this, the micro-LEDs behind the Hypersquare wheel are visible from outside the vehicle, allowing animations to be flashed to passers-by.

Getting in and out of the low and wide three-door machine is made easier thanks to gullwing doors, which swing upwards and create a huge chasm for both driver and passengers to clamber into the back.

The seats, which are made of three recyclable components, feature a foam that can be swapped out in minutes, which would effectively allow future customers to personalize the interior of their car whenever the mood takes

Hip to be square

Peugeot won’t be held to any details on what would eventually power the production car based on Polygon, but Autocar reports that the new 208 will be the first car to sit on parent company Stellantis’s STLA Small architecture.

That model has not been planned with internal combustion engines in mind, as it is due to sport battery packs that range from 37kWh to 82kWh, which promise much greater range than those found in the current-gen e-208.

Whatever comes of Polygon, it will be electric and the French marque is sticking to its guns when it comes to steer-by-wire technology, an innovation it says can greatly alter the driving dynamics of a vehicle at the press of a button and reduces vibration and harshness that occur from having a physical linkage between the front wheels and the driver.

Mercedes-Benz is also busy exploring the technology, with the company releasing details of its futuristic yoke earlier this year.

Of course, Tesla owners have been able to drive with a Steering Yoke ever since it was first introduced in the Model S and Model X, but the company didn’t combine it with the steer-by-wire tech until the launch of Cybertruck.

What’s more, there was a pushback against the oddly-shaped wheel in many markets, which forced Tesla to go back to a standard steering wheel.

Despite having major players like Peugeot and Mercedes-Benz behind the technology, drivers will likely still find it takes some getting used to.

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.