Peugeot isn’t flirting with futuristic ideas anymore. It’s actively testing them on public roads. Nearly three years after revealing the Hypersquare steering wheel as part of its Inception Concept, the French automaker is now preparing the radical setup for production, with the next-generation Peugeot 208 expected to be its debut platform.
This isn’t just a styling experiment. The Hypersquare is paired with a full steer-by-wire system, eliminating the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and wheels. It’s a move that puts Peugeot among a small but growing group of manufacturers rethinking one of the car’s most fundamental controls.
From Concept Stage to Test Vehicle
Peugeot’s Hypersquare has already made the jump from motor show stand to working prototype. The system has been retrofitted into an electric E-2008 test vehicle, and journalists have started to experience it firsthand.
The wheel itself is distinctly unconventional. Square-shaped with softened edges, it features four large openings. The upper two act as natural thumb rests and house integrated controls, allowing drivers to keep their hands planted without shifting grip. Peugeot’s aim is clear: reduce hand movement, increase precision, and make steering feel more intuitive once the learning curve is overcome.
Steer-by-Wire Changes Everything
Like the systems used in the Tesla Cybertruck and Lexus RZ, Peugeot’s steer-by-wire setup dynamically adjusts steering response based on speed. At low speeds, such as parking or tight urban maneuvers, the steering ratio tightens to around 5:1. That’s roughly three times quicker than a conventional hydraulic system.
The upside is effortless maneuverability. The downside, at least initially, is sensitivity. Early impressions suggest the steering reacts instantly to small inputs, which can feel twitchy until drivers recalibrate their muscle memory. At higher speeds, however, the system progressively slows the ratio, delivering calmer and more predictable responses.
Built-In Learning Modes
Peugeot knows this isn’t a plug-and-play change for everyone. That’s why the next-generation 208 will reportedly feature multiple steering modes. One setting will prioritize comfort and familiarity, helping drivers adapt to steer-by-wire behavior. Another, more aggressive mode will sharpen responses for enthusiastic driving.
To address concerns about disconnected steering feel, Peugeot has added haptic feedback. Sensors within the steering actuators monitor forces at the wheels and translate them into vibrations felt through the Hypersquare. The goal is to preserve a sense of road connection, even without a physical steering column.
Can Peugeot Change Driver Habits?
Square and yoke-style steering wheels aren’t new. The Corvette C8 and AMG One both use flattened designs. What sets Peugeot apart is ambition. This isn’t a halo hypercar feature. It’s intended for a mainstream hatchback.
That makes the Hypersquare a bigger gamble and potentially a bigger breakthrough. If Peugeot gets the calibration right, it could redefine how everyday drivers interact with their cars. If not, traditionalists may see it as change for the sake of change.
Either way, Peugeot isn’t playing it safe. And that alone makes the Hypersquare one of the most interesting steering experiments headed for production right now.
