Is there a new trend forming?
Welcome to the e-Legend concept car which will be the one of the highlights at the Paris motor show that kicks off tomorrow.
With design harking back to the 504 Coupe of the 1960s, Peugeot hopes to make its latest show car exciting to look at rather than donning it with a sleek and minimalist profile usually seen in most other concepts these days.
Note all the retro touches like the head and tail lights, plus the pronounced upright profile.
This isn't actually a new exercise by car manufacturers (Ferrari just unveiled a modern-day Monza recently). Several years back, Audi and Nissan, as some examples, showed modern-day interpretations of the Sport Quattro and IDX-apeing Datsun 150. However, both were mostly about design.
So it's the stuff under the skin that matters more in this Pugg?
Probably, because it's relevant for the coming years. The first thing is the all-electric drivetrain driving all four wheels and producing 460hp and 800Nm.
Peugeot says the e-Legend can cover the 0-100kph sprint in less than 4sec before topping out at 220kph (real-world acceleration mattering more than top speed). And armed with a 100kWh battery pack, the driving range is claimed at 600km. Another technology previewed is the so-called Level 4 autonomous driving that allows hands-off driving in the right conditions.
That's why the e-Legend's interior, centred around the brand's i-Cockpit theme, has a steering wheel that can retract away when the driver chooses to let the car do the driving.
Apparently, the e-Legend's big comfy seats are reminiscent of those on the 504 and help the driver sit back and enjoy a built-in video game or do whatever has to be done in this digital era.
Is there any hope of seeing this shape return?
Sure, Peugeot has a history of making coupes with the last notable one being the RCZ. But producing the e-Legend as it is may be tough due to all the bespoke body parts that can hardly be shared with other current Peugeots on sale.
In fact, the aforementioned show cars of Audi and Nissan have never seen the light of the day, which would probably be the same case for this Peugeot.
On the other hand, the technologies showcased in the e-Legend should do so and, like as said earlier, should draw the attention of showgoers at the French car event with the help of those retro looks.
Are there any exciting concept cars from other brands at the show?
We're afraid there aren't many, even though compatriot brands Citroen and Renault are set to unveil some show cars as well on their home soil.
In fact, many brands have opted not to participate in the biennial Paris motor show. Apart from the absence of a handful of high-end luxury nameplates, mass-market makers are shying away from this traditional platform of showing new technologies and cars; various digital platforms are now the new norm instead.
Most of the new products being shown in Paris are those developed with European buyers in mind from manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia of South Korea, Seat and Skoda of the Volkswagen Group and those aforementioned French players.
Audi e-tron
After previewing its first electric car in countless concepts and camouflaged forms, Audi has revealed the actual article for showrooms. Slightly larger than today's Q5, the e-tron has a driving range of around 450km.
Mercedes-Benz EQC
Like what the e-tron is doing for Audi, the EQC is Mercedes-Benz's initial battery electric vehicle built around the GLC's basis. Likewise, power of some 400hp drives both the front and rear axles with a similar touring range.
DS 3 Crossback
Unlike the e-tron and EQC, the DS 3 Crossback isn't a dedicated battery electric vehicle because semi-electrified hybrids with plug-in facility and conventional combustion engines are still available to choose from.
Kia e-Niro
Kia joins DS in offering an SUV/crossover with several drivetrain options to choose from. Like the Crossback, the e-Niro comes with a modest 136hp electric motor driving just the front wheels, good for some 300km of driving.
