AutoRAI 1999 - the concept cars:
Peugeot
The Escapade was introduced
at the Paris car show in 1998 as a variation on the new 206 model. It's just a showcar
meant to draw attention, not a realistic option to be introduced in the future.
The Alcantara upholstered bumpers and wheel arches are particularly original, but not very
practical I think. The leather and Alcantara interior looks very nice and luxurious, far
better than the standard 206 interior. Will we ever see this interior as an option on the
206?
Peugeot says the Escapade
is a recreational vehicle meant to drive around in nature. The bodywork is placed 5 cm
higher than on a normal 206 to give it more ground clearance. It still has just front
wheel drive, so you won't get far if the going gets tough. To give the driver and
passengers a nice panoramic view two huge glass sun roofs are fitted.
Far
more realistic and very beautiful indeed is this 20"heart" model. It was
introduced at the Geneva car show early in 1998,a few months before the new 206, the car
it's based on, was introduced. The 206 is the successor of the very popular 205 (seems
logical), but Peugeot wanted to keep the new designation a secret until the introduction
of the actual car, so they replaced the "6" by a heart-sign.
This car is a study of a "Coupé Cabriolet" version of the 206. It has a
hard-top that folds down into the boot like the one on a Mercedes SLK. With the top on it
looks even more pretty I think, pity that they didn't show that at the AutoRAI.
I
love the attention for detail in the design of this car. It has lots of little gimmicks
like brake lights that are incorporated in ribs on the lid of the boot.
It's a small sporty looking car, dimensions are: length 382 cm, width 165 cm and a
wheelbase of just 244 cm. The folding roof takes up 200 litre of the 400 litre boot and it
just takes 16 seconds to put the roof up (automated).
It seems that new Peugeot boss Folz likes the idea of taking this car into production. I
think Peugeot should, it will be a wonderful addition to their range.
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