Peugeot Polygon Concept previews the next-generation 208

Never before has there been a Peugeot quite like this. Called the Polygon Concept, it previews the styling of the next-generation 208, which is due to be unveiled next year.

Its radical appearance leaves little room for doubt: the Polygon Concept aims to break new ground inside and out, to the point that Peugeot has effectively reinvented the wheel. Or, more accurately, the steering wheel.

The message is unmistakable: leave the past behind and focus solely 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 a distinctly unconventional design, the Polygon Concept was conceived as a rolling laboratory. It is a functional demonstrator created to test technologies that will begin appearing in Peugeot production models from 2027.

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

First introduced by Infiniti in the 2013 Q50, and trialled 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 the conventional steering wheel.

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

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

During the Polygon Concept presentation 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 it was considerably less than the 10 years required by the Japanese manufacturer, although Lexus's supplier also worked closely with the lion brand.

How does the Polygon Concept steering change?

As there is no physical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels, Peugeot says the driving experience becomes more direct and engaging. This is possible only because the friction and latency found in conventional systems have been eliminated.

All feedback is delivered electronically, although it 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 specific situation. On a motorway, for instance, drivers want slower, less direct steering that favours stability; on a more winding road, they want quicker steering with greater angles at the front axle.

In theory, this is the future of steering. But will it really be? In two years' time, when we test the system in one of the French brand's production cars, we will revisit the subject.

A future-proof Polygon Concept

Personalisation is another of the Peugeot Polygon's key principles, 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 components that can be fitted and replaced within minutes. Even the Goodyear-developed tyres are part of this revolution: laser engraving on their sidewalls allows different patterns and colours to be combined according to the driving mode.

There is more to it than that. With the Polygon Concept, Peugeot is committing to the sustainability and circularity of its future models. The structure and cabin of this prototype therefore 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 using 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 marque is right. For now, however, one thing is certain: this prototype is impossible to ignore.