Peugeot Instinct Concept set for Geneva

Peugeot has moderated its traditionally wild show-car styling with its Geneva-bound autonomous Instinct concept that includes a raft of cloud-based information technology to become the driver's mobile personal assistant.

The 308-sized Instinct, which goes on display at the Geneva motor show next month following its reveal at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, is Peugeot's futuristic response to a car-owner's need to enjoy motoring while taking on board work and social activities.

It is also the car-maker's take on how an autonomous car can interact with the environment, though Peugeot said the reality of the car may not be seen before 2025.

On-board technology designed to make the driver's life a bit less stressful includes integration of the owner's smartphone and personal data with the car's cloud-based infrastructure provided by the Samsung Artik platform and the networking interface provided by global firm Sentiance.

Peugeot said it considered a car to be a valuable information source "because it is with us throughout our day and knows our regular journeys, favourite places and how we drive".

The information gathered and analysed by this technology can be used by the car to inform the driver. For example, it could collate weather and traffic data before setting off on a journey and then advise and continually update the best route and warn of changes in conditions ahead.

The Instinct is designed as an autonomous car though allows the owner full operation when desired.

Voice control technology can be used to book tickets or make online purchases – similar to Amazon's Alexa service – with separate voice channels for each of the four occupants.

The Instinct is designed as an autonomous car though allows the owner full operation when desired. It is a plug-in hybrid with a combined 224kW power unit.

Autonomous modes range from a relaxed drive to the 'autonomous sharp' mode that makes the ride more dynamic. Instinct's "drive boost" allows the driver to take control, unfolding the steering wheel and foot pedals.

The car can instinctively switch between modes, for example, reverting to autonomous for traffic or urban areas and then automatically engaging 'drive boost' when it recognises an open road.

The third mode is 'drive relax' that gives the driver control but engages adaptive cruise control and-or automatic high-beam dipping.

In announcing the car, Peugeot's head of strategy Aude Brille said the connected devices and online services were "extensions of ourselves."

He said Peugeot has integrated the technology to allow owners to have a "relaxed, empowering and wholly unprecedented driving experience – one that puts our clients in control of their own mobility, granting them complete autonomy."

The Instinct is the same size as a 308 hatchback and has seating for four, though its curves and edges make it appear bigger and more like a wagon.

Instinct also features innovative components and materials, including the aluminium seat frames that are fixed and have mesh fabric to support the occupants, much like a next-generation deck chair.

The exterior design is modest by Peugeot show-car standards. The Instinct is the same size as a 308 hatchback and has seating for four, though its curves and edges make it appear bigger and more like a wagon.

It uses LED headlights that contain some of the cameras used to scan the road during autonomous driving, and LED light strakes at each end of the dot-matrix grille that also double as air foils to improve aerodynamics.

The tail treatment has six 3D-look tail-lights and a glass tailgate that appears to be a continuation of the full-length panoramic sunroof.

Does Peugeot's self-driving Instinct concept appeal or would you prefer to drive yourself all the time? Tell us what you think in the comments below.