concept Peugeot 4002 Lion 2003
The concept Peugeot 4002 Lion 2003 is present on the car with the large chrome radiator grill behind which two round headlights are concealed, the characteristic Peugeot emblems on the front, sides and rear of the car and by the slanted headlight configuration similar to what is seen on current Peugeot production cars. It recalls the 1936 Peugeot 402 in particular which had the typical double headlight configuration behind the elliptic grill; also the three bars on each side, the hubcaps and color scheme add to the recollection of the historic concept Peugeot 4002 Lion 2003. Odd enough the 402 didn't have footboards between the fenders while the concept Peugeot 4002 Lion 2003. The innovative parts of the design are the forward placing of the passenger compartment, the symmetry between front and rear and the hidden spoiler configuration underneath the car. To avoid having to fit large spoilers on the bodywork of this car, which is meant to be a super sports car, an air stream is lead under the car resulting in the necessary downforce. The grill in front acts as an air intake and the exhaust array in the rear, also fitted in a similar elliptic grill shell, as an outlet.
In all it's an appealing and expressive design, though not quite realistic. The Lion name refers not only to the Peugeot logo, but also to the similarities between a crouched, leering lion and the shape of the car which the designer sees in it. Well, in any case it's a bold addition to the range of Peugeot show cars and it would be wonderful if Peugeot added some of this boldness to the designs of its usually rather dull looking production cars.