Paris motor show: Peugeot H1

Peugeot’s styling renaissance, started with the much-admired SR1 sports car, is set to continue with a new high-rider concept car, believed to be codenamed H1.

Gilles Vidal, Peugeot's design boss, will unveil the new car at the Paris motor show in September.

See pics of the Peugeot SR1 concept and the forthcoming Citroen DS4

The car will use new, post-207 styling cues to spark an era of design elegance for Peugeot’s affordable models — all of which will be more economical than current cars.

It will utilise the emerging diesel hybrid tech at PSA Peugeot-Citroën.

Read the full story, plus see pics and video, of the Peugeot SR1

Vidal has already signalled an end to Peugeot’s competition-bred ‘wide-mouthed frog’ look. Future lights and grilles will be smaller, reducing the promise of high performance as a sign of the times.

More sculpted, lighter-looking shapes and better stances will help match the new emphasis on economy, low pollution and weight saving.

Peugeot is keeping details of its Paris concept secret, but the model is believed to be similar in dimensions — but completely different in look — to Citroën’s forthcoming 4.3-metre DS4, also a short, raised hatchback classed as a high-rider.

Read more on the Citroen DS4

The H1 is also likely to provide clues to the all-important new frontal treatment of the forthcoming 208 supermini, which is due in showrooms in 2012.

Peugeot CEO Jean-Marc Gales has already revealed that the 208 will be both smaller and lighter than (although just as roomy as) the current 207, which is one of the biggest and heaviest cars in its class.

Steve Cropley

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