Peugeot Prepares a Steering Revolution: Hypersquare Moves Toward Mass Production
Peugeot is gearing up to redefine one of the most fundamental components of driving: the steering wheel. The brand’s experimental and boldly shaped “Hypersquare” steering wheel is no longer just a futuristic concept. Peugeot is now actively working to bring this radical design into mass production, pairing it with a next-generation steer-by-wire system developed for the upcoming new-generation 208.
First unveiled in early 2023, the square-shaped Hypersquare steering wheel has undergone nearly three years of extensive development and testing. During this period, Peugeot, under the Stellantis umbrella, has refined the technology and even allowed selected journalists to experience the system firsthand. This hands-on approach signals that the project is moving steadily toward real-world application rather than remaining a design showcase.
The renewed interest in steer-by-wire systems and unconventional steering shapes, sparked by manufacturers such as Tesla, has clearly influenced Peugeot’s vision. The brand embraced this trend with the Inception Concept, presenting Hypersquare as a cornerstone of its future interior philosophy. More recently, the Polygon Concept pushed this idea even further, once again highlighting the distinctive steering wheel as a central design and functional element.
Currently, the Hypersquare steering system is integrated into an E-2008 test vehicle. Its design features four large circular cutouts, which serve more than a visual purpose. The upper openings house various control buttons while also providing a natural resting position for the driver’s thumbs. Similar ergonomic concepts have appeared in high-performance models like the Corvette C8 and AMG ONE, but Peugeot’s ambition lies in delivering this idea to a mainstream model and a much broader audience.
According to Germany’s Handelsblatt, one of the first media outlets to test the system, the driving experience is surprisingly ergonomic. The thumb recesses feel intuitive, and once accustomed, the steering wheel offers a more natural grip than its unconventional appearance might suggest.
Like comparable systems in the Tesla Cybertruck and Lexus RZ, Peugeot’s steer-by-wire setup features a variable steering ratio. At low speeds, such as during parking maneuvers, the ratio drops to around 5:1, delivering a response roughly three times quicker than traditional hydraulic steering. This sharp responsiveness, however, requires an adjustment period. Handelsblatt notes that the steering reacts extremely sensitively to small inputs, which initially led to minor overcorrections. At higher speeds, the system becomes more composed, providing a smoother and more predictable driving feel.
Peugeot plans to offer multiple steering modes in the new 208. One mode will focus on easing drivers into the steer-by-wire experience, while a sportier setting will deliver a more aggressive and precise response at higher speeds. Despite the absence of a mechanical connection, Peugeot is keen to preserve a sense of road feel. Sensors embedded in the steering actuator measure forces at the wheels and transmit this information back to the Hypersquare wheel through haptic feedback, creating vibrations that simulate physical connection.
With Hypersquare, Peugeot is not merely experimenting with design—it is signaling a bold commitment to reshaping how drivers interact with their cars in the near future.
