Peugeot sets bold new design course
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Peugeot has given the clearest indications yet of the design direction it will take under its new styling chief, Gilles Vidal, who was appointed last month with the release of a redrawn version of its famous “lion” badge and the first pictures of its lithe new SR1 concept car.
Whether the new emblem is an improvement on the old one is debatable; the lion, which legend has it is based on the Lion of Belfort, appears curiously constrained, as if it is angrily trying to punch its way out of a romper suit that's a couple of sizes too small. The first production car to bear the new badge will be the sporty RCZ, which is perhaps best understood as Peugeot's reply to the Audi TT.
But if the new Peugeot logo is a bit iffy, the SR1 concept car is immensely encouraging, capturing something of the elegance of past Peugeots such as the 504 coupe from the 1960s or the 205 from the 1980s, and shaking off completely the awkward clumpiness of the French manufacturer's current line-up. Apparently it signals a new look for Peugeot but the company hasn't said yet whether it will put a car directly based on the SR1 into production, or whether future cars will simply adopt elements of its design in watered-down form. The SR1 will have its first public showing at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments