The new Peugeot Onyx Concept has just leaked ahead its official debut in Paris. With its V8 engine in a central rear position, the new Peugeot concept targets the high performance vehicle fans around the globe.
The Onyx has been made from innovative materials and shows outstanding sculpture. The sharp bodywork is emphasized additionally by striking contrast of materials and colors.
For instance the wings and doors are pure copper sheet, while the panels of the bodywork are pure carbon fibre painted in matt black. The front fascia of the car combines the vertical grille and full LED lamps.
The double-bubble roof is also something impressive. At the rear, the exterior of the car is finished by the unique rear lamps, which adopt a light signature with three claws.
Furthermore, the windows and roof are made of PMMA, which stands for Poly Methyl MethAcrylate. Enclosing the cocoon, this guarantees the occupants great sense of protection due to the ultra-resistant structure.
Another highlight among the others is the chassis, which is an innovative component. Made from monolithic carbon, this central structure consists of only 12 parts. It incorporates the front and rear chassis legs, which makes it possible to eliminate the connected plates. This results in weight optimization with 100kg.
More importantly the extraordinary Peugeot concept is propelled by its 3.7-litre V8 hybrid HDi FAP engine. In particular the V8 generates 600 hp (442 kW) and it’s mated to a six-speed sequential gearbox.
The HYbrid4 technology recovers the kinetic energy which is usually lost during braking. This energy is kept in lithium-ion batteries and then delivered automatically on acceleration, boosting the power by an additional 80 hp (59 kW).
The dimensions of the car are exactly 4.65 m in length, 2.20 m in width and 1.13 m of height. Surprisingly it weighs only 1100kg. Moreover, the great aerodynamics is complemented by the tyres especially developed by Michelin – 275/30 at the front and 345/30 at the rear, 20 inches in size.
In terms of interior this car is astonishing. The passenger compartment is bathed with natural light, from floor to roof. Made of felt, compressed and stretched, the passenger compartment is formed as a one-piece pod, with no stitching or joins.
The feeling is as is it creates a real cocoon around the occupants and fitted into the carbon structure, fulfils the functions carried out in the past by several components: soundproofing, floor, upper console, roof, bucket seats.
The material used for the compartment is obtained from boiled wool, with intertwined fibres. It is in fact fully recyclable and provides excellent thermal insulation. In addition, it improves the quality of the surrounding air by dehumidifying it.
The dashboard here is made of a new type of “wood” – Newspaper Wood. It is created with the help of used newspapers, assembled and compressed to create new “logs” from which the parts are made.
The dashboard also is the place where the driver can find the instrument panel in a head up position. On the instrument panel in turn he or she can see all the information needed such as engine and vehicle speed.
In addition, there is also a panel of aluminium toggle switches mounted in the roof, where the engine starting switch is positioned. Immediately behind this, a strip displays the images from the two rear view cameras (in the mirrors) and the third, panoramic one – in the rear capping.
The console is also made from Newspaper Wood. Here one can see one-of-a-kind fuel indicator, shaped from blown-glass. Here is where the level of fuel is displayed. At last, the console houses the dual-zone air conditioning controls, with an aluminium bar with a milled detail finish.
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Source: Peugeot
The Beijing International Automobile Exhibition will take place between the 20th and the 29th of April. In other words, not anytime soon. Peugeot, however, seem to be rather impatient. This is their first teaser of a concept car that will make a world-first debut there.
