This Square ‘Steering Wheel’ Could Only Work With Steer-by-Wire

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Peugeot has displayed the E-T16 concept at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, featuring its square Hypersquare steering control and a steer-by-wire system. The electronic steering lets software vary the relationship between hand movement and wheel movement, making the compact control practical in a way a conventional mechanical steering setup may not be. Peugeot has not established that the concept’s performance claims or steering design will reach a production car.

Peugeot has presented the E-T16 concept at the 2026 Paris Motor Show with a square steering control called the Hypersquare, a design that depends on steer-by-wire rather than a conventional mechanical connection to the front wheels. The concept illustrates how electronic steering can make a non-round control usable, but Peugeot’s stated performance figures apply to a concept and do not establish a production model or specification.

Peugeot describes the Hypersquare as a steer-by-wire control developed in a performance-focused configuration. The square form incorporates openings for the driver’s hands, buttons and a configurable central display. According to the automaker, that display can show information such as speed and lap timing based on driving conditions. Peugeot says the layout is intended to keep key functions within finger reach while driving.

The key technical distinction is the missing direct mechanical link. In a conventional car, the steering wheel turns a column and steering rack connected to the front wheels. With steer-by-wire, sensors send the driver’s input to a computer, and electric motors turn the wheels. Software can vary the steering ratio, so the same hand movement can result in different wheel movement at low and higher speeds.

Peugeot also says the E-T16 is a tri-motor electric hatchback and claims it can complete three laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife—more than 60 kilometers—in Performance mode without power limitation. Those are manufacturer claims about a concept vehicle; the supplied report provides no independent test results or production specifications.

Why the Square Control Needs Electronics

The Hypersquare is more than a change in steering-wheel shape: its usefulness depends on changing how steering responds. A square control used with a fixed-ratio mechanical system could require drivers to turn their hands through awkward angles, particularly during parking or tight maneuvers. By changing the steering ratio through software, steer-by-wire can reduce the amount of hand movement needed for large steering changes.

The design also shows a potential tradeoff. A mechanical steering link transmits some road forces back to the driver. With steer-by-wire, that feedback must be produced electronically, so the feel and predictability of the system depend on its calibration. Peugeot calls the setup precise and agile, but those are company descriptions, not independently established assessments of the concept in real driving.

For drivers, the practical question is whether a radically different control can remain intuitive and provide convincing feedback across everyday and performance driving. The concept offers a design demonstration, not yet an answer based on a production car tested by customers.

From Mechanical Link to Software

The E-T16’s steering idea sits within a broader shift toward electronically controlled vehicle systems. Steer-by-wire is not new: the source report notes that the Tesla Cybertruck and Lexus RZ offer systems of this kind. The Hypersquare stands out in the report because its shape appears to be designed around the freedom provided by electronic steering, rather than simply replacing a round wheel with a smaller or flattened one.

The source also reports that Peugeot has shown the Hypersquare on other concepts, including the Polygon, described as a non-performance vehicle. That suggests the company is exploring the control beyond a single high-performance design. It does not confirm that Peugeot has committed to putting it in a production vehicle. The E-T16’s visual references include the Peugeot 205 T16, a rally car associated with the brand’s motorsport history.

““For the first time, the Hypersquare® integrates a configurable central display showing essential information such as speed and lap timing according to driving conditions.””

— Peugeot, describing the E-T16 concept

Production Plans and Road Feel

The report does not say whether the E-T16 will enter production, when a production version might appear or whether the Hypersquare will be offered to buyers. It also provides no price, final technical specifications or details about system redundancy and what happens if electronic steering components fail.

How the steering feels in real driving remains an open question. Peugeot describes its calibration positively, but the source does not include a road test, driver feedback from a public demonstration or independent measurements. The E-T16’s Nürburgring statement is likewise a company claim, and the material does not document a verified track run.

Demonstrations and Production Clues

The E-T16 and its steering control are being presented at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, where the source report says visitors can encounter a Hypersquare demonstration unit. A demonstration could offer a closer look at the control’s layout and operation, though it would not by itself establish how the system performs in a finished car.

The next major development to watch for is a clear statement from Peugeot on whether the design will move beyond concepts. Until the company provides production plans and specifications, the E-T16 should be treated as a technology and design showcase rather than a confirmed upcoming model.

Key Questions

What is Peugeot’s Hypersquare?

It is a square steering control shown in the E-T16 concept. Peugeot says it includes a central configurable display and controls designed to be reached with the driver’s fingers.

Why does the Hypersquare require steer-by-wire?

Steer-by-wire sends steering inputs electronically and lets software vary the steering ratio. That flexibility can reduce how far the driver must turn the control, making a non-round shape more practical than it would be with a fixed mechanical steering relationship.

Will the Peugeot E-T16 go on sale?

The source material does not confirm production plans for the E-T16. Peugeot’s display of the concept is not, by itself, an announcement that it will become a retail model.

Has Peugeot’s claimed Nürburgring performance been verified?

The supplied report attributes the three-lap, more-than-60-kilometer claim to Peugeot. It does not provide independent verification or test results, so the figure should be treated as a manufacturer claim.

Source: rss