Beijing show: Peugeot’s Exalt concept revealed

PEUGEOT has released an official image of a sleekconcept called the Exalt that it will premiere at the Beijing motor show later this month, previewing a possible new four-door coupe model.

The Exalt is heavily influenced by the stunning Onyx sportscar concept that was revealed at the 2012 Paris motor show, with Peugeot building a concept that offers accommodation for four adults in a four-door sedan body-style.

Styling cues from the Onyx include the slim-line grille, split headlight design and the almost triangular styling treatment of the lower air intakes.

The Exalt also features the same crease line running down the side of the car as the Onyx, similar indents in the bonnet and giant wheels that are also reminiscent of the diesel-hybrid hypercar.

Peugeot said in a statement that it has used an efficient textile called Shark Skin, which is inspired, as its name suggests, by the texture of big fish’s skin.

While the French brand is yet to release any images of the interior, it said that the cabin features the use of materials such as aged leather, natural wool-based “chine” fabric, ebony and bare steel.

The front of the cabin will feature Peugeot’s i-Cockpit design, black lighting and a Pure Blue air purifier.

Power will come from PSA’s Hybrid4 all-wheel drive petrol-electric drivetrain producing 254kW, but no other information such as performance figures have been released.

The Exalt was revealed earlier than Peugeot had planned, after a representative of the French brand sent an email with the image and details of the concept several days ahead of schedule.

Should it be given the green light for production, the Exalt could be a rival for other swoopy four-door European fare such as the Volkswagen CC, Audi A5 Sportback, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe and even the Mercedes-Benz CLA.

More details are expected to be announced at the Beijing show in two weeks.