Category Archives: CONCEPT CARS

Peugeot has never been shy about showing its claws when it comes to design. But with the new Polygon concept, the French automaker isn’t just baring its teeth—it’s ready to pounce. This dramatically styled supermini previews the next-generation Peugeot 208, a car that has quietly become one of Europe’s best-selling small hatchbacks. Now, it’s ready to evolve into something far more daring.

Peugeot describes the Polygon as having a “feline futuristic design”, and from the single image released ahead of its official debut next Wednesday, that phrase doesn’t feel like marketing fluff. The silhouette is monolithic, the surfaces tightly sculpted by airflow, and the proportions almost alien compared with today’s 208. This is a design language that signals a new era for Peugeot—sleeker, sharper, and unapologetically forward-looking.

Of course, the production 208 that follows will be more restrained, but Peugeot insiders hint that the Polygon’s aero-defined surfacing and bold stance will heavily influence what we see on the road. Think of this as Peugeot’s design manifesto—one that will ripple across its entire lineup in the years ahead.

Steering the Future

Inside, the Polygon continues the revolution. The show car debuts what Peugeot calls the next step in the “saga of i-Cockpit,” the brand’s distinctive interior concept that positions a small steering wheel below the driver’s instruments. The star of the show? A near-production version of the Hypersquare steering wheel, a rectangular, steer-by-wire setup first seen on the 2023 Inception Concept.

This marks a major milestone—not just for Peugeot, but for the entire Stellantis group—as it’s the first time the conglomerate will use steer-by-wire technology. According to CEO Alain Favey, the system is “about agility” and aims to give future Peugeots a driving experience unlike anything else in the segment.

The Polygon’s futuristic cabin also features a 21-inch floating display, a curved infotainment unit likely borrowed from the new 3008. If so, expect the next 208 to carry over much of this interior design almost unchanged—a blend of digital minimalism and French flair.

Electric, but Not Dogmatic

Underneath, the Polygon sits on Stellantis’s new STLA Small platform, designed to accommodate both hybrid and electric powertrains. But make no mistake—the future here is electric. Sister brand Vauxhall has already confirmed that its next-generation Corsa—the Polygon’s mechanical twin—will go EV-only. That means the next 208 is almost certain to follow suit.

Still, Peugeot isn’t slamming the door on internal combustion just yet. Favey insists the brand remains “committed to BEVs” while also “committed to a multi-energy offer.” Translation: as long as the EV market remains unpredictable, Peugeot will keep the current CMP-based 208 in production alongside the all-electric newcomer.

What Comes Next

When the production 208 lands at the end of next year, it’s expected to be the first car to ride on the STLA Small platform, followed closely by the new Corsa. Both will roll out of Stellantis’s Zaragoza plant in Spain.

If the Polygon is any indication, Peugeot’s small-car future won’t just be about electrification—it’ll be about character. The brand that once defined French charm in the supermini segment is reinventing itself for the digital age, merging feline grace with cutting-edge tech.

Whether it’s enough to claw its way past the likes of the Renault 5 E-Tech and the Mini Cooper Electric remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the next 208 won’t just evolve. It will leap.

Source: Peugeot

CONCEPT CARS

2025 Mitsubishi Delica D:5 Prototype: The Cult Minivan That Just Won’t Quit

November 1, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

Mitsubishi may have packed its bags and quietly slipped out of the UK back in 2021, but that doesn’t mean the brand’s story ended there. Over in Japan, the company has been busy nurturing one of its most enduring oddballs — the Delica D:5, the go-anywhere, do-anything minivan that’s equal parts family shuttle and mountain goat.

At this year’s Tokyo Mobility Show, Mitsubishi rolled out what it calls a prototype of the latest D:5. Don’t expect an all-new generation just yet — this is more of a deep facelift than a clean-sheet design. But considering the current D:5 has been around since 2007 (with a nip and tuck in 2019), the fact it’s still evolving at all is something of a minor miracle.

And yet, somehow, it works. The new D:5 has been “enhanced” with improved steering stability and road handling, while Mitsubishi’s design team has leaned into the van’s rugged cult appeal. The updated styling swaps out the old chrome-heavy mug for a bolder, upright front grille that looks ready to headbutt a trailhead. The rear end gets a cleaner treatment with simplified lighting and a stretched “Delica” badge across the tailgate. Chunkier wheel arches and fresh 18-inch alloys round out the makeover, giving it that slightly unhinged “dad just bought a roof tent” energy we can’t help but admire.

Mitsubishi says it aimed for an “impression of a higher center of gravity” — which sounds like PR-speak for we lifted it because it looks cool. And honestly, it does. Few vehicles wear their off-road cosplay as earnestly as the Delica.

Inside, things have been brought up to date with a new digital instrument cluster, richer leather/suede upholstery, and khaki contrast stitching that’s both tasteful and outdoorsy. The water-resistant seats return (because, of course, this van assumes you’re always damp from some heroic adventure), and there are even USB-C ports sprinkled around for modern gadgetry.

Details on powertrains remain under wraps, but given Mitsubishi’s recent focus on electrification, a hybrid or plug-in hybrid variant would surprise no one.

So while British buyers might never again see a new Mitsubishi badge on local dealer lots, Japan’s latest Delica D:5 proves that the brand’s spirit of functional eccentricity is alive and well — and probably halfway up a volcano somewhere.

Source: Mitsubishi

CONCEPT CARS

Mitsubishi Elevance Concept: The Luxe Adventurer Has Entered the Chat

November 1, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

At this year’s Japan Mobility Show, Mitsubishi Motors didn’t just unveil another crossover concept — it planted a flag in the electrified wilderness with the Elevance Concept, a plug-in hybrid SUV that aims to blend rugged adventure cred with premium, almost lounge-like comfort. Think off-road explorer meets Scandinavian spa, and you’re starting to get the picture.

Forever Adventure, Electrified

Under the banner of Forever Adventure, Mitsubishi’s booth theme radiated nostalgia for the brand’s golden age of Pajeros and rally-bred Evos. But CEO Takao Kato insists the thrill of exploration doesn’t need to vanish in an era of quiet motors and carbon neutrality. The Elevance Concept, he says, is Mitsubishi’s way of fusing “the pure joy of driving” with the brand’s growing prowess in electrification and all-wheel control.

At first glance, the Elevance looks ready for both the Ginza district and the gravel roads of Hokkaido. Its styling is smooth yet muscular, a futuristic interpretation of Mitsubishi’s familiar Dynamic Shield design language. The front fascia trades aggression for sophistication — honeycomb grille, sculpted LED lighting, and sheetmetal that flows seamlessly from the headlights to the tail. The result is a vehicle that looks less like a concept car and more like a production model one executive misfiled into the “too stylish” bin.

Quad-Motor Grit Meets Glamping Grace

Underneath that sleek skin lies a quad-motor 4WD setup governed by Mitsubishi’s signature Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system — the same DNA that once made the Lancer Evolution a rally legend. Now, instead of chasing stage times, S-AWC keeps the Elevance composed on muddy trails or icy switchbacks, using Active Yaw Control at the rear and in-wheel motors up front for uncanny precision.

Powering it all is a plug-in hybrid system with a carbon-neutral-compatible engine and a large traction battery. For short commutes, it behaves like a quiet EV; stretch its legs on a road trip, and the hybrid system steps in to banish range anxiety. The setup also doubles as a mobile power station, capable of running campsite luxuries — kitchen, shower, or even a small trailer — for what Mitsubishi calls “glamping-grade adventure.”

If this is the future of roughing it, count us in.

The AI That Knows You Better Than Your GPS

Inside, the Elevance trades the typical SUV cockpit for something resembling a tech cocoon. A seamless, shell-like interior wraps passengers in soft leather and ambient light, while a panoramic display stretches from door to door. Even the steering wheel gets an embedded screen — home to the AI Co-Driver, a digital assistant that suggests destinations based on your habits and mood.

Heading into the mountains? It recommends the scenic route. Feeling low on battery (yours or the car’s)? It finds a café charging stop that matches your playlist’s energy.

And when the going gets rough, the AI adjusts drive modes in real time using road-condition sensors and vehicle data. It’s the sort of tech integration that might finally make “smart mobility” feel more intuitive than intrusive.

Design That Thinks Beyond the Pavement

Mitsubishi describes the Elevance’s structure as a “rib-bone frame”, designed for exceptional rigidity — the kind you’d want if your weekend plans involve washboard roads or steep climbs. Yet, from inside, it feels serene. The three-row, six-seat layout provides generous room for families or gear, while details like low side windows open the cabin to the surrounding landscape — a rare touch of theater in a crossover segment obsessed with slanted rooflines.

Even the most skeptical traditionalists might admit: if Mitsubishi brings this to production mostly intact, the Elevance could redefine what we expect from a plug-in SUV.

The Delica Legacy Marches On

Of course, Mitsubishi didn’t stop at the Elevance. The brand’s Delica series — part minivan, part SUV, all cult classic — also made a strong showing. The new Delica D:5 (prototype) borrows S-AWC tech and adds more refinement, while the pint-sized Delica Mini officially launched in Japan. Together, they represent Mitsubishi’s vision of adventure for all — whether your playground is a city street or a mountain trail.

The Elevance Concept might sound like an exercise in electrified optimism, but beneath the marketing gloss is a solid technical statement. Mitsubishi seems to understand that the future of adventure vehicles isn’t just about power or range — it’s about experience.

If this SUV ever reaches production, it could mark Mitsubishi’s boldest return to form since the days of the Montero and the Evo. A luxury crossover that can tow your glamping trailer and whisper to you about hidden mountain roads? That’s the kind of weirdly wonderful idea we can get behind.