Following in the footsteps of the Onyx Concept in 2012, the five-door saloon EXALT uses sculpted looks and a long bonnet and the brand’s signature lighting, along with the Onyx’s shark skin-inspired material on the rear. Paying homage to French motor car production from the twenties and thirties, its bare steel bodywork is hand-formed by a master panel beater.

The brand also says the EXALT also provides exceptional versatility for a saloon, with a pantograph mechanism enabling maximum opening while needing less space externally. There’s a motorised tailgate and a low load sill.

Inside, there’s an emphasis on natural materials, with wool-based “chiné’” mixed fabric, aged leather, bare steel and ebony, with the model’s choice of materials intended to reflect a combination of French and Chinese cultures.

On the extended centre console, there’s two folding touch screens that emerge from the dashboard. The upper screen gives access to the on board computer and the Hi-Fi and navigation systems. The second screen presents a permanently visible control bar to provide access to the automatic air conditioning and the Pure Blue air treatment system. When stationary, with the vehicle empty, Pure Blue purifies the cabin surfaces by spreading bactericides and fungicides. Once the vehicle is moving, an active filter treats the air before it enters the cabin, eliminating VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and fine particles.

The EXALT also features the next-generation plug-in HYbrid4 drive train with 340hp shared between the four wheels. This uses a 1.6-litre THP 270hp developed by Peugeot Sport along with a 50kW electric motor on the multi-link rear axle. There’s also intelligent technology to react to the driver by selecting the most suitable mode: pure electric, petrol only, petrol-electric hybrid.

‘Peugeot’s 125-year automobile history is punctuated by models that made their mark on their era. With the EXALT Concept, the Brand asserts its position and writes a new chapter. We are moving forward, resolutely and with confidence,’ said
Maxime Picat, Peugeot brand CEO.