Next-Gen Peugeot Cockpit Built for Digital Speed

SOCHAUX, France – A large virtual dashboard boasting what’s billed as the fastest computer power on the market is among radical changes to the next-generation i-Cockpit interior revealed by French automaker Peugeot.

The manufacturer has used the ergonomic i-Cockpit design since the concept was unveiled in 2012. It introduced head-up driver-information technology to the mass market and brought the virtual dashboard, then limited to premium vehicles, to midlevel customers as Peugeot sought to enhance its reputation for innovation.

The virtual dashboard features a 12.3-in. (31.2-cm) high-resolution digital screen placed in the driver’s line of sight, promising more information to be read more easily and quickly with less eye time away from the road ahead. The display is customizable with each configuration heightened by animations and transitions.

Peugeot’s U.K. head of communications, Kevin Jones, claims the system uses the highest computer-processing power available on the market today.

 “We’ve gone for the highest processing speeds we could get so drivers can configure the display as they want, whether that’s with conventional dials, illustrations coming from the side, a rolling screen or navigation information,” he tells WardsAuto.

“The power of the system is a lot faster than any of the opposition at this time – so while you may be paying prestige money for a good thing, we’ve gone one better and upped the stakes to make sure the technology will be relevant for a greater period of time.

“All the next generation of our vehicles will get this technology and we’re hoping to announce the first of these in the next few weeks.”

The steering wheel is redesigned to improve the driver’s field of vision and create more legroom. Being smaller, it brings the driver’s arms closer together, reducing the breadth of movement required during maneuvers as with a sports steering wheel.

Passengers get a new tablet-like 8-in. (20-cm) touchscreen in the center of the instrument panel, boasting new interactive technology with increased responsivenesswhile being simpler to use.

This generation of i-Cockpit also enjoys 3-D navigation, available on both information screens, with real-time traffic information from TomTom Traffic. Connections to voice recognition and commands enable hands-free device control, with automatic text-message-management reading, drafting and sending messages. The central screen also features Apple CarPlay, Mirrorlink and Android Auto technologies.

Peugeot promises high-quality interior materials, a minimum of operating buttons, seats offering multipoint massages, customizable interior lighting and the now-familiar built-in fragrance diffuser. These sensual experiences can be tailored to individual taste, with two atmospheric settings offered as standard: Boost, for dynamic driving, and Relax, for a calmer driving experience.

Jones says the new-generation i-Cockpit will be featured on new Peugeots arriving in first-quarter 2017 in European showrooms.