Quartz concept a facet of the future

Published Sep 18, 2014

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Paris, France - This is Peugeot's vision for future crossover design - the Quartz SUV concept, due to debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.

At 4500mm long and 2060mm wide, it's intended to combine a distinctive long-bonnet design, unusual materials and hybrid power in a premium family car that looks like an SUV - with very short overhangs and 23” forged-alloy rims - on the outside and an upmarket sedan on the inside.

The grille - with Peugeot lion in the centre - has a chequered finish that changes depending on the angle you view it from.

The Quartz is based on the same EMP2 platform as the new 308, with weigh-saving composite structure and bonded panels, lending sufficient inherent stiffness that the designers were able to leave out the B pillars and put in scissor doors, including a retractable step for easier access.

The centre console is faced with basalt, a strong but light stone that forms when volcanic magma is quickly cooled; it has the advantage (rare in a natural material) that, no matter where in the world you get it, its properties are exactly the same.

The quartz is also the first vehicle with digitally woven upholstery fabric. Rather like the complex pattern used for knitting the heel of a sock, this new process can be used to make large, complex fabric shapes that can be used straight off the machine - with no cutting, sewing or wastage necessary - and the fabric is woven out of polyester fibres made from recycled plastic water-bottles.

The floor pan, sides and roof are trimmed in black leather, with contact points such as seat cushions and backs in tan leather. Each door frame is milled from a block of composite material, with red enamel filling in the cutting marks.

The racing-style steering wheel has the gear-shift, driving mode and indicator controls embedded in it; the instrument panel is on both sides of the steering and the head-up display is angled towards the driver.

Each of the four passengers has a bucket seat with 'floating' exposed structure, tan leather trim and a retractable four-point safety harness, while a solid, wraparound driver's seat provides lateral support for 'exuberant' driving.

PLUG-IN HYBRID

The Quartz has a 1.6-litre THP 270 turbopetrol four, rated at 205kW and 330Nm, driving the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, with an 85kW direct-drive electric motor on ach axle to charge the 400V battery on the overrun and smooth out gear-shifts.

In pure electric mode the Quartz is good for up to 50km; than it can be charged from the grid while you work - with careful planning you can run from Monday to Friday without switching on the combustion engine.

When you do, Road Mode uses the THP engine and front electric motor to maximise battery charging during deceleration, while Race Mode uses everything it can get out of the combustion engine and both electric motors, with a limited-slip differential for increased driver engagement.

The front axle runs modified MacPherson struts while, at the rear there's a multi-arm suspension arrangement incorporating the rear electric motor. Pneumatic suspension automatically adjusts ground clearance between 300 and 350mm, controlled by an optical system that uses cameras linked to the satellite navigation to read the road and anticipate changes in its surface.

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