Peugeot has gone full sci-fi with its latest concept car — the Polygon — and if this is what the future of the humble hatchback looks like, sign us up. This wild, low-slung machine gives us a glimpse at what the next-generation Peugeot 208 could look like, while sprinkling in a generous dose of 205 GTi nostalgia and some very futuristic gadgetry.
Gone are the days of modest French shopping trolleys. The Polygon arrives with gullwing doors, a steer-by-wire system, and swappable seats, allowing future owners to effectively change the interior of their vehicle with some fresh seat foam.
The Polygon’s party piece is what Peugeot calls the Hypersquare — a lozenge-shaped yoke that replaces your traditional round steering wheel. Think Xbox controller meets fighter jet controls. But it’s not just for show: this marks the arrival of steer-by-wire technology, which ditches the old-fashioned mechanical link between the steering wheel and front axle in favour of software.
In short, the steering is handled by code rather than metal. That means super-fast reactions to inputs, adjustable steering ratios depending on speed and, according to Peugeot, a silky-smooth feel with far fewer vibrations from the road. It’s due to hit production cars from 2027, which means your next 208 might steer more like an F1 sim than a city car.
Tesla’s Cybertruck has already dipped its alloy toe into similar territory, but Peugeot’s gone one better. By making the steering controller a sort of rounded square, the French marque has freed up the entire dashboard, allowing it to turn into a 31-inch head-up display projected onto the windscreen. No more giant touchscreens dominating the interior — just holographic graphics floating in front of your face like you’re in Tron.
Of course, this being a French concept, there’s no shortage of design flair. The Polygon’s gullwing doors lift skywards, turning every entry into a red-carpet moment. It’s part supercar, part retro hot hatch — the low stance and sculpted rear haunches are clear nods to the legendary 205 GTi, while the smooth bodywork and light signature are pure 208-of-tomorrow.
And, because this is 2025 Peugeot we’re talking about, the Hypersquare’s glowing micro-LEDs aren’t just for the driver — they’re visible from outside the car, meaning it can flash animations or messages to onlookers.Why? Nobody knows.
Peugeot is keeping quiet about what actually powers the Polygon, but logic — and a few industry whispers — suggest it’s built on Stellantis’s STLA Small platform, the same electric underpinnings expected to support the next-gen e-208.
That means battery packs ranging from 37kWh to 82kWh, promising significantly better range than the current model. No internal combustion engines are planned, which feels right given how futuristic everything else is — bolting a petrol engine into this would be like fitting a coal fire in a spaceship.
So, what does all this mean for the future? Well, the Polygon is a clear signal that Peugeot’s next generation of EVs — starting with the 208 replacement — will be far from boring. Expect sleeker designs, more sustainable materials, clever modular interiors and tech that genuinely changes the way you interact with the car.
Sure, the gullwing doors might not make it past the concept phase (pity), and the Hypersquare might get toned down for mass production, but Peugeot’s message is loud and clear: the brand that gave us the 205 GTi still knows how to have fun.
