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Peugeot Polygon, the electric concept car built for sustainability and tech innovation

Peugeot unveils Polygon, a forward-looking concept car designed around recycled materials, circular manufacturing, and next-gen digital systems. The model reimagines how electric vehicles can evolve over time through lightweight components, modular design, and advanced steering technology.

Peugeot Polygon, the sustainable concept car of the future
Credits: Paolo Travisi

Peugeot Polygon sets a new direction for sustainable concept design

The car of the future is electric and built with recycled materials. That is the principle behind Peugeot Polygon, the concept the company revealed ahead of the 308 test drive in Portugal. The vehicle is engineered to maximize the use of recycled components throughout its structure.

The first striking detail inside the cabin is the combination of two unusual seat materials, a foam typically used for cushions and mattresses, and recycled R-PET plastic sourced from waste and shaped through 3D printing. On the exterior, the internal paint lacquer incorporates recycled compounds derived from end-of-life tires.

The entire cabin floor, ceiling, and door panels showcases a full circular approach. These surfaces are wrapped in forged fabric made from recycled seats salvaged from retired Peugeot vehicles. Even the tire inserts integrate sections of the same recycled textile.

A lighter build with modular, replaceable components

Peugeot Polygon uses fewer parts than a conventional vehicle, resulting in reduced weight and easier assembly and disassembly at the end of its life cycle.

The seats, for example, consist of only three primary elements, the shell, the frame, and the foam, instead of the dozens found in traditional seats. The wheel covers, including their fastening system, are also made from recycled plastic and produced in a single piece using 3D printing.

Many components are designed to be quickly replaced, allowing the vehicle to evolve with its owner and promoting long-term ownership. This approach helps extend the overall lifespan of the car.

A revolutionary electronic steering system

Beyond its sustainability focus, Peugeot is investing heavily in new technologies. Among the innovations featured on Peugeot Polygon, some of which could appear on production models as early as 2027, is the Hypersquare steering system equipped with Steer-by-Wire technology. Its rectangular shape and four internal rings recall a video-game controller, which is fitting given that drivers can even access Polygon through Fortnite.

The Steer-by-Wire system eliminates any mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheels, relying instead on electronic impulses. Already proven in the aerospace sector, this technology is expected to reach the market in just over a year.

Its key feature is the ability to adjust the steering ratio based on speed. At low speeds, such as during parking, it allows quick, effortless maneuvers without needing to reposition the hands. At higher speeds, minimal input is enough to control the vehicle’s trajectory.

Steer-by-Wire also optimizes road feedback, filtering unwanted vibrations while still allowing the driver to feel the surface, improving handling and safety.

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About Author / Paolo Travisi

Paolo Travisi began his journalism career in 2004 as an editor for the 7Gold television network, an extraordinary training ground where he became a professional journalist, producing TV reports on topics ranging from news to culture, and contributing to programs and talk shows hosted by figures such as Aldo Biscardi, Alessandro Milan, and David Parenzo. Alongside his television work, he started writing for the online edition of Il Messaggero, then led by Davide Desario (now Director of AdnKronos), and later contributed science, technology, and culture articles to the newspaper’s print edition. His passion for writing and science led him to collaborate with the historic TuttoScienze column in La Stampa, where he interviewed prominent Italian and international scientists. From science to sustainability, he also contributed to Green&Blue by la Repubblica. At Rinnovabili, he writes daily with great enthusiasm about electric mobility, conducts car test drives, and creates videos for the outlet’s social media channels.