i-Cockpit became a keeper
It is ten years ago that Peugeot introduced its i-Cockpit on the previous generation Peugeot 208. A smaller steering wheel – which you do not look through but over – in combination with a higher instrument panel had and according to Peugeot has many advantages, so it fits brand it in almost every model since then. A curse or a blessing?
For Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, it all started with the Peugeot SR1, a concept car that was shown at the 2010 Geneva show. That car had instruments that were placed much further forward, almost directly below where the windscreen met the dashboard. Among other things, this had to lead to an extra driving experience, which is already somewhat revealed by the name: the ‘cockpit feeling’, in an interior in which you mainly focus your eyes straight ahead, on the road ahead. On y va!
Bold choice
Or, well, wait a minute. It wasn’t until 2012 that Peugeot introduced the alternative dashboard layout in a production car, the 208 which debuted at Geneva that year and reached the general public in 2013. The French chose to market their fairly fundamental change in a volume model, which certainly showed guts. If the masses didn’t like it, it might have been disastrous for one of their most important songs – and a new song at that.
The first iteration of i-Cockpit, in the SR1 concept in 2010.
However, that was not the case. It goes too far to say that i-Cockpit was an outright success, but Peugeot implemented it in almost all models that followed the 208. Many initially considered it one love it or hate itconcept, but it seems that in practice few were put off by it. i-Cockpit is something that some don’t get used to, but most do – others are even lyrical about it.
Lap steering wheel
On paper it is therefore not a strange find. A smaller handlebar provides a greater sense of maneuverability and because it is placed somewhat lower, your hands can also reach it from a fairly relaxed sitting position. The instruments placed above it – nowadays often digital or even in 3D – almost function as a head-up display, so you hardly have to take your eyes off the road. Finally, a central infotainment screen placed within easy reach of the driver, today supplemented by rocker switches, is also part of the i-Cockpit idea.
Above the interior of the first 3008 (pre-i-Cockpit era), below the interior of its successor (with i-Cockpit).
And it works. Also in practice, otherwise Peugeot would not still apply it. In fact, the brand says that it is not finished with the i-Cockpit for the time being. As in the past ten years, all models will receive a version of it on board for the time being, with the interior of the Inception Concept serving as inspiration.
Tell us about your experience with i-Cockpit
That is why we are curious: a Peugeot with i-Cockpit, is that for you? Do you want no more than a Peugeot because of its now characteristic instrumentation-steering ratio, or has it just scared you away from cars of the brand? Stories of first encounters or long-term experiences with i-Cockpit are welcome in the comments below.
The i-Cockpit of the future?
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl