Peugeot A game controller as a steering wheel

Peugeot is planning something radical: the "Hypersquare" is a mixture of Formula 1 steering wheel and game console control. It could appear in the brand's smallest model of all things.

Cockpit design has had a very special status at Peugeot for over a decade. In 2012, the French lion brand caused a stir with the so-called I-Cockpit, because the instruments were placed above the steering wheel rim for the first time. At the same time, however, the steering wheel had to be made significantly smaller than usual. All supposedly for a better view of the contents of the cluster.

Despite some criticism, the designers stuck with it. The I-Cockpit found its way into more and more models and is now a standard feature of a Peugeot. What's more, it has now reached generation two and 3D technology and the panoramic view have been integrated. "Our I-Cockpit is now in over twelve million Peugeots," says brand boss Linda Jackson.

Rectangular steering wheel with display

But now the French are going one better with the Hypersquare, a kind of science fiction steering wheel. The part is like a revolution behind the windshield and resembles a mixture of Formula 1 volant and computer game console controls. More rectangle than circle and measuring around 33 by 20 centimeters, the Hypersquare has a central display and four large, round holes in the corners, the slanted insides of which form a touch surface for the thumbs. There are also four circular areas on the display with the touch control menus Start, View, Drive Mode and gear selection (PRND).

A lot of the controls are therefore on the steering wheel display, which could indicate a reduced and tidy dashboard. Allegedly, information such as speed, speed limit and navigation instructions will be projected onto a horizontally arranged, flat roller above the hypersquare, in keeping with the I-Cockpit motto.

In an interview at the Paris motor show, Linda Jackson did not want to reveal which new model Peugeot will be installing the Hypersquare steering wheel in for the first time. If rumors are to be believed, it could be the next generation of the Peugeot 208. In terms of timing, it would fit. The small car will probably be unveiled at the end of 2025 and is due to go on the market the following year.

Steer-by-wire is ready

It would also fit in with the platform strategy. Stellantis announced a few years ago that it would have developed the new "STLA-Small" by the middle of the decade. Only with this architecture is it even possible to integrate the complex electronics and sensor technology. This is because the Hypersquare runs on so-called steer-by-wire technology. This means that there is no longer a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels. Everything runs via electrical commands.

It may come as a surprise that Peugeot is introducing such technology to its smallest model first. Normally, high-tech innovations in the industry follow the top-down principle, i.e. upper and luxury class first, because the customer is more likely to pay the sometimes high initial surcharge here, and then later in the lower segments.

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But in this case, the situation is different. What sense would it make for the product planners to install the Hypersquare in a large SUV? The target group would almost certainly say no, preferring a classic steering wheel instead. The 208 is different: Peugeot is targeting a much younger clientele with this model. Many of the customers have grown up with game consoles and video games, are generally more tech-savvy and much more open to cool features.

The question remains as to whether Peugeot will offer the Hypersquare—should it be included in the 208—for all versions, as an option or only for the sportiest variant (GT). An answer to this is not expected for a good year.