Peugeot sketches out its Puma rival

By Jack Rix

26th July 2010

Could this be Peugeot’s answer to the Ford Puma? In an exclusive interview with Auto Express, the firm’s styling chief Gille Vidal sketched out this vision of a sporty future for the brand.

Back in Issue 1,090, we brought you exclusive images of a 2+2 coupé that will sit below the RCZ in Peugeot’s line-up. And if Vidal’s sketch is anything to go by, it appears a version of this has survived into the new design era.

Although the RCZ is relatively showroom-fresh, its front end is clearly from the outgoing family of cars – leaving space for a new sporty model using the updated design language seen on the SR1 at March’s Geneva Motor Show. “All future Peugeots will take cues from this car. They will look and feel more agile,” Vidal told us.

SR1-style scallops in the side panels, narrow headlights and wraparound tail-lamps  are visible in the sketch. They combine with short overhangs and a tapered roof for a classic coupé profile. It’s a busy time for Peugeot, as it prepares two new concepts for October’s Paris expo – a preview to the 208 supermini (on which the coupé will be based), and a mystery show car. The production-ready 508 saloon will also debut.