Lion’s new styling boss

By Richard Yarrow

04th January 2010

Things are about to get veryinteresting in the styling studios at Peugeot! The brand has a new design boss – and he’s the man behind its most radical cars of the last few years.

Gilles Vidal penned the innovative BB1 urban vehicle, as well as the GTbyCitroen for Peugeot’s sister firm. He takes up his post as design director with the Lion later this month.

Given the creative role Vidal has had in shaping wild prototypes and show cars, fans will be excited at the prospect of a new look for the Peugeot range.

At only 37, Vidal is young to be taking on such a senior role. However, he is renowned and respected for his creativity.

With the BB1, he successfully blended features of motorcycles and cars to find a fresh urban transport solution, while creating an eye-catching new exterior in the process.

A graduate of the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland, Vidal has been at PSA Peugeot Citroen since 1996. He’s already spent nine years working alongside Jean-Pierre Ploué, who will be his new boss and the group’s design director.

“With the appointment of Gilles Vidal, Ploué has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening his new organisation,” said a Peugeot spokesman.

Vidal’s key creative role will be to ensure that Peugeot and Citroen follow clearly distinct design paths from one another, while sharing vehicle architecture and powertrains.

The appointment comes at an eventful time, as Peugeot is celebrating its 200th birthday this month. The company will hold a ceremony to mark the occasion in Paris, where it will unveil its new brand identity.

In addition, sources have informed Auto Express that Peugeot will launch a surprise new sports car at the 8 January event.