Peugeot Polygon Concept previews the next-generation 208

There has never been a Peugeot quite like this. Called the Polygon Concept, it previews the styling of the next-generation 208, which will be unveiled next year.

Its radical appearance leaves little room for doubt: the Polygon Concept aims to disrupt both exterior and interior design, to the point that Peugeot has effectively reinvented the wheel. Or, rather, the steering wheel.

The message is unmistakable: break with the past and focus entirely on the future. It may sound ambitious in theory, but we saw this prototype in Portugal and were surprised by what it has to offer. Take a look:

Reinventing the wheel

Far more than a prototype with unconventional styling, the Polygon Concept has been conceived as a laboratory on wheels. It is a kind of working prototype created to test technologies that will begin reaching Peugeot production models from 2027.

One of these technologies has required the brand to rethink one of the car's most traditional components: the steering wheel. Peugeot intends to bring its Steer-by-Wire system, which removes the mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheels, to more mainstream segments.

First introduced by Infiniti in the 2013 Q50, and tested by both Mercedes-Benz and Saab, Steer-by-Wire is currently used only by the Tesla Cybertruck, Lexus RZ and NIO ET9. Peugeot is now testing it, and it is expected to make its debut in the next 208 alongside the new rectangular Hypersquare control, which replaces a conventional steering wheel.

As well as its unusual shape, the Hypersquare features four touch-sensitive pods - no, they are not cup holders - for operating the various functions while driving.

Returning to the Steer-by-Wire system, it is worth remembering that Lexus, working with an external supplier, took 10 years to bring this technology to a production car, underlining the complexity of the entire system.

When the Polygon Concept was presented in Portugal, we asked a Peugeot engineer how long this solution had taken to develop. He did not give a precise figure, but assured us that it was considerably less than the 10 years needed by the Japanese manufacturer, although the supplier that worked with Lexus has also collaborated closely with the lion brand.

What changes with the Polygon Concept steering?

As there is no physical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels, Peugeot says the driving experience becomes more immediate and engaging. This is only possible because conventional systems' friction and latency are eliminated.

Feedback is delivered solely electronically, but has been calibrated to retain a sense of the road while filtering out unwanted vibrations. At least, that is Peugeot's promise.

The system also makes it possible to tailor the steering's operation - or character - to each particular situation. On a motorway, for instance, you want slower, less direct steering that prioritises stability; on a more twisting road, you want faster steering with greater angles at the front axle.

In theory, it represents the future of steering. But will it really prove to be so? In two years' time, when we test this system in a production car from the French brand, we will return to the subject.

Peugeot Polygon Concept built for the future

Personalisation is another key principle of the Peugeot Polygon, as almost everything can be configured to suit individual tastes: from interior trims and the colours of the cabin ambience to the wheels and even the Hypersquare control itself.

Everything has been designed around modular parts that can be fitted and replaced within minutes. Even the tyres - developed by Goodyear - have not escaped this overhaul: laser engraving on their sidewalls allows different patterns and colours to be combined according to the driving mode.

There is more to it, too. With the Polygon Concept, Peugeot is signalling its commitment to the sustainability and circularity of its future models. For this reason, the structure and cabin of this prototype use several types of recycled material.

The cabin floor and panels are covered in forged textiles made from seats taken from older Peugeot models; the seats are 3D-printed from recycled plastic (R-PET); and the interior paint uses pigments derived from end-of-life tyres.

More than a radical styling exercise, the Polygon Concept is a statement of what Peugeot believes the car of the future should be. Only time will tell whether the French brand is right. For now, though, one thing is certain: this prototype is impossible to ignore.