Drivers could soon see the disappearance of the round steering wheel as Peugeot looks to ditch tradition in favour of aerospace-inspired technology.
The French car brand has debuted the new Polygon Concept, which is designed to embody the brand’s vision for the future.
One of the standout features of the concept is the “entirely new” steering control at the heart of the new generation of Peugeot i-Cockpit.
The vehicle will come equipped with Steer-by-Wire electronic steering, known as Hypersquare, which is reminiscent of a video game controller.
Peugeot, which is under the Stellantis umbrella, will introduce the revolutionary Hypersquare steering control from 2027 onwards.
The brand said it would replace the traditional circular steering wheel with Hypersquare as Peugeot “breaks the mould and reimagines the wheel entirely”.
The Steer-by-Wire technology means there is no mechanical link between he steering and the wheels, just electronic control.
Commenting on the innovative design, Peugeot boss Alain Favey said: “We consider this to be the future of steering.
The Hypersquare steering wheel will be included in a Peugeot vehicle by 2027
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“If a customer doesn’t want it, we have the flexibility to have a more conventional steering column.”
However, Mr Favey said the brand was keen to promote the Hypersquare, since it matches the interior and suits the vehicle better.
He noted that people who routinely play computer games are “quicker at being at ease with the system.”
At low speeds, Hypersquare allows quick, easy manoeuvres without the driver needing to move their hands or make multiple movements.
Peugeot has debuted Steering-by-Wire technology
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PEUGEOT
It has a maximum rotation of 170° in each direction, totalling just under a full turn, while a traditional wheel needs to rotate three full turns.
The Hypersquare also has four distinct rings, with the right-hand buttons controlling audio and voice control, as Peugeot aims to create the ultimate connected car.
The left-hand rings allow the motorist to control driver assistance features, including cruise control.
Drivers will see further benefits when using the Hypersquare as there is no steering column, meaning they will not feel vibrations when going over speed bumps.
Peugeot already has a number of electric vehicles on the market
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Peugeot continues to move forward with its electric vehicle offering, including the E-208, E-2008, E-308, E-3008, 3-408, 3-5008, Rifter and Traveller.
The Sochaux-founded brand has sold more than 76,000 cars in the UK this year, representing an impressive 4.42 per cent of the total market share.
It has seen a huge 30 per cent boost in sales year-on-year, having sold 58,303 at the same time last year.