Wednesday 12th September 2012

Peugeot's Onyx V8 supercar concept unveiled

1100kg Paris show star promises 600hp from 3.7-litre carbon chassis mounted diesel V8.

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Peugeot is quick to admit its fascination with supercar concepts: it name checks Quasar,

Proxima, Oxia and 907 in the very first sentence of the press release reveals its Paris Motor Show star car. This new one, called Onyx is the most radical yet, though - a 600hp 3.7-litre V8 mid-engined diesel hybrid car with a carbon fibre chassis and a kerb weight of just 1100kg

There's more: KERS-style brake energy harvesting delivers and extra 80hp under acceleration, via lithium ion battery-powered electric motor. The flat carbon fibre floor generates ground effect, so minimising external wings. There's a op-up rear airbrake. Discs are carbon composite all round while both the rear-drive engine and the double wishbone suspension with inboard control are both designed by Peugeot Sport (the engine's basically a road-going version of the old 908 Le Mans racer).

Then there's how Peugeot's McLaren MP4-12c challenger looks. The Onyx is every inch the supercar: It's low, wide, muscular and chiseled, has a NACA duct on the roof, a double-bubble design behind it, exposed carbon fibre structure and, yes, a transparent engine cover (made, like many other parts, from composite PolyMethyl MethAcrylate - PMMA). It's even decked out in real copper trim, which will purposely age over time.

The doors have clever and complex gullwing-style operation, while the cabin is boldly proportioned, simply designed and finished in rich new materials. Impressively it's all formed from a joinless one-piece pod, creating a cocoon effect but still exposing the 12-piece carbon chassis (which, remarkably, weighs just 100kg). Like a racing car, there are no actual seats, just pieces of carefully positioned felt.

The interior designer, Julien Cueff, says he was inspired by an egg box.

The engine is started via an aluminium toggle in the roof and the tiny steering wheel has an F1-style digital readout. Rather sweetly, the fuel 'gauge' is made of blown glass with the fuel level marked by chiseled marks. And the dashboard itself is made from 'Newspaper Wood' - or recycled newspapers, as it is also known... Look closely enough, and you can still read the printed characters.

So what's the Onyx all about then? As always with these Peugeot supercars, to showcase a new design direction, which may eventually filter through into road cars, plus display some of the new materials and techniques Peugeot's been working on. Most importantly, it's a confidence-builder: Peugeot is losing money and morale in the firm is a little low. What better way to lift it with a fantastic futuristic Ferrari 458 Italia challenger at your home show?

 

[dublet]

I'll have whatever eggs he's having.

[r1ch]

That's a rather beautiful looking thing.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Peugeot said:

Look at this! Just don't look at our sales figures & expect us to build them

Pointless

[Inspectre]

That's an incredible specification and nice use of materials. Even a respectful retro nod to an Allegro steering wheel.... no really this is the best concept I have seen for a while

[infernal]

I hate how Peugeot and Citroen and Mazda do this... Here is a concept that we will never ever build, look how cool we are... Now go buy our white-goods cars

[Tuvra]

Not a fan on the color, maybe:

[ajh38]

The RCZ was just a concept car....

[The Hypno-Toad]

The front spoiler is too low and the number of exhaust pipes across the back is very Max Power but apart from that, its one very good looking car.

[Andysywv]

So you actually sit in the car ? !

[nsa]

Is it April 1st already?

[Krikkit]

That's bloody lovely. The only thing that spoils it is diesel... Make it petrol, make it a real car!

[Andysywv]

It has no seats and therefore no adjustment for people.

Makes it useless

[Stu R]

Lovely.

Shame it'll never do anything other than tell the largely uninterested world that a bunch of insipid jelly mould hatchbacks will be getting some extra swage lines and a facelift, but it's nice to think someone at Peugeot still considers themselves a car designer.

[Streetrod]

Andysywv said:

It has no seats and therefore no adjustment for people.

Makes it useless

Have you ever heard of movable pedals and steering wheel?

[ScoobieWRX]

It looks a bit Lambo Reventon...in fact more than a passing resemblance.

I think it's about time though someone did something likes this with a cooking V8 oil burner!! If it happens i look forward to seeing it up against equivalent petrol burners.

[Andysywv]

Streetrod said:

Andysywv said:

It has no seats and therefore no adjustment for people.

Makes it useless

Have you ever heard of movable pedals and steering wheel?

Cars with seats have those too

[FreeLitres]

Anyone said ALDI R8 yet?

[AndrewSV]

they just need to work up the courage to put it into production now...

[[AJ]]

I'm sorry, but that just looks like it was drawn by an 10 year old.

[Agoogy]

Love the use of Copper, and love the interior
Peugeot know how to give good concept.

Such a shame they've lost the confidence or cash to allow much, much more of the 'study' to make it to the showrom.