Dispatches Do Brasil: The 11th Hour
The Chinese will be the first to lay eyes on Peugeot’s beautiful new concept car, the Exalt, at the Beijing Auto Show that starts later in the month. Along with great artistic touches inside and out, it’s also a hybrid that can run on gasoline, pure electricity or both. The Exalt is a sedan that anticipates Peugeot’s take on the sedan as a coupe -and it’s another example of a dying brand throwing a “hail mary” pass in the form of an attractive concept car.
The Exalt measures in at just 185 inches long, though it weighs about 3,700 lbs. Its sheetmetal mimics hand-hammered steel plates that were common in luxury cars, most especially French ones, in the 20s and 30s of the last century. There’s also special cloth that supposedly feels like shark skin covering the car’s back haunches.
Inside, Peugeot’s mastery of the beautiful comes completely to the fore. The artful finishing is a mix of ebony, a wool based textile and carbon fiber. Digital screens take the place of the instruments. There’s also a clever system that purifies the air, even when the car is not running.
The car is motivated by Peugeot’s highly regarded 1.6 THP turbo engine, which produces 270 hp in this version. There’s also an electric motor in the back. Put together, the ensemble puffs up the power to 340 hp. Unfortunately, but perhaps in tune with the times, the car is a full 6 speed automatic.
If Peugeot can extend any of these ideas to their production cars, I for one could see them becoming desirable cars again. The brand is slowly clawing their way back with cars like the 208 and 308 – which just won Europe’s Car of the Year award. But just as Citroen has the Cactus, Peugeot needs something like the Exalt to put them back in the imaginations of car buyers.
More by Marcelo de Vasconcellos
Latest Car Reviews
Read moreLatest Product Reviews
Read moreRecent Comments
- Brandon I would vote for my 23 Escape ST-Line with the 2.0L turbo and a normal 8 speed transmission instead of CVT. 250 HP, I average 28 MPG and get much higher on trips and get a nice 13" sync4 touchscreen. It leaves these 2 in my dust literally
- JLGOLDEN When this and Hornet were revealed, I expected BOTH to quickly become best-sellers for their brands. They look great, and seem like interesting and fun alternatives in a crowded market. Alas, ambitious pricing is a bridge too far...
- Zerofoo Modifications are funny things. I like the smoked side marker look - however having seen too many cars with butchered wire harnesses, I don't buy cars with ANY modifications. Pro-tip - put the car back to stock before you try and sell it.
- JLGOLDEN I disagree with the author's comment on the current Murano's "annoying CVT". Murano's CVT does not fake shifts like some CVTs attempt, therefore does not cause shift shock or driveline harshness while fumbling between set ratios. Murano's CVT feels genuinely smooth and lets the (great-sounding V6) engine sing and zing along pleasantly.
- JLGOLDEN Our family bought a 2012 Murano AWD new, and enjoyed it for 280K before we sold it last month. CVT began slipping at 230K but it was worth fixing a clean, well-cared for car. As soon as we sold the 2012, I grabbed a new 2024 Murano before the body style and powertrain changes for 2025, and (as rumored) goes to 4-cyl turbo. Sure, the current Murano feels old-school, with interior switchgear and finishes akin to a 2010 Infiniti. That's not a bad thing! Feels solid, V6 sounds awesome, and the whole platform has been around long enough that future parts & service wont be an issue.
Comments
Join the conversation
It looks like a baboon in heat, which should appeal to other baboons.
270hp out of a 1.6. Not bad. I am guessing that, given this motor is "highly regarded", it is reliable to. I'll bet that will infuriate the "French cars are Sh1t" crowd ;-)