With the Frankfurt Motor Show just days ahead, we can’t wait to see the new concept car by Peugeot, the Peugeot Fractal. Peugeot has built 80% of the new concept car using 3D printers, and the rest is done using common materials.
On first glance, the Peugeot Fractal is an urban futuristic car, designed especially for those hip enough to breeze through the streets of their city. Dig deeper and you’ll find a beautifully designed vehicle with a sound system that will blow you away.
The Fractal is powered by a 40-kWh battery with an electric engine at each axle. Combined, the electric engines produce power of up to 200hp. The French company claims that their concept car has a range of more than 280 miles and in order to maximize the fuel and electricity efficiency, the French have placed the Fractal on narrow wheels. With all those ponies inside the hood, the Peugeot Fractal can sprint to 60mph in just 6.8 seconds and do so without shifting one gear.
The design of the wheels resembles the one of the BMW i3. And as we said previously, most of the Peugeot Fractal is built using a 3D printer, the wheels included. The reason for using 3D printer for the wheels is simple; Peugeot wanted to cut down the wind noise. According to the company, conventional means could not produce the required design.
For the interior design, the focus by Peugeot was put on sound. Since by 2019 all electric cars will have to produce sounds in order to guarantee safety for the pedestrians, the French designers had to adjust. Asking musicians and composers, Peugeot managed to create a design in which the car produces a sound the moment it reaches 20mph. Peugeot had to make sure that the exterior and the interior sounds match, so the company placed new generation speakers inside. The next generation speakers direct sound both inside and outside the car.
Other goodies, the customers will find inside, include holographic HUD, black oak trim, 13 speakers, bass system built into the back of the seats and much more. Most of the cabin, 80% specifically, was constructed using 3D printers and components. The result was materials that absorb sound.
In the Peugeot Fractal the French company has also installed the new i-Cockpit infotainment system. The system includes warnings for walkers/cyclists. Additionally, the new infotainment system can be connected with your smartwatch, but only if it is Samsung Gear S at the moment. We will have to wait and see if Peugeot makes other smartwatches compatible with the new system.
