Riding on the same modular EPM2 platform as the 308 hatchback, the Quartz takes the form of a tall crossover that stretches 177 inches long and 81 inches wide. The widespread use of stiff composite materials such as carbon fiber in the crossover’s construction allowed engineers to remove the B-pillar and give it four scissor doors.
The Quartz’s cockpit is similar to that of the Exalt concept that was presented in Beijing last April. It features a small rectangular steering wheel, a heads-up display and a driver-oriented center console with toggle switches inspired by the equipment found in a recording studio. The Quartz offers room for up to four passengers on leather-upholstered bucket seats.
The center console is made out of basalt, an igneous rock that forms when magma cools. Peugeot explains basalt has the same properties regardless of where it forms so it can be easily sourced all over the world.
Power for the Quartz comes from a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 270-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and two electric motors each rated at 114 horsepower. The motors can power the crossover by themselves for up to 31 miles, or they can work with the turbo four and a limited-slip differential to send a total of 500 horsepower to all four wheels.
Peugeot has not announced what the future holds for the Quartz. Although it looks wildly futuristic, a heavily toned-down version of it could reach production in the coming years as Peugeot tries to move up a notch on the market.
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