Latest news with #GillesVidal
Irish Examiner
09-08-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Peugeot E-5008 review: third-generation SUV impresses in electric and hybrid form
It would be wrong to say that the Peugeot 5008 has always been a favourite here at Examiner Motoring — primarily because it has not always been. The first generation of the model appeared in 2009 and, to be honest, it never really lit our afterburner; originally it was a decent MPV — classified as 'Compact' in size – that was very family oriented, practical and comfortable. But it was not really anything to write home about. Its introduction just happened to coincide with the appointment of Gilles Vidal as Peugeot's design director and a buoyant new era of styling for the brand. But, just as the company was heading into a design renaissance, the original 5008 seemed clunky and old school, especially as the exterior look was very conservative and dull. A 2013 facelift did brighten things up a little, but not much and even though the car did win awards, largely because of its vast interior space and an ability to cope with anything a modern family could throw at it, the car was still somewhat unwieldy looking. Vidal's influence came seriously into play when the second-generation 5008 was unveiled in 2017 and saw it transformed into a seven-seater SUV. That it was essentially a larger version of the hugely successful 3008 was of little concern because, all of a sudden, it was a startlingly good-looking beast as well as still being all things to all families. It was now still very practical and comfortable, but it also had a pizzaz about it that made it stand out wherever it went. What's more than that, it was as good-looking and innovative on the inside as it was on the outside. In 2018, when it eventually reached Ireland, it found great support from the buying public and also attracted much critical acclaim, particularly so in these columns, where it won the much sought-after Examiner Motoring Car of the Year award. Seven years on and the third generation is now with us and, without doubt the level of visual and engineering improvement seen on Mark II has been accelerated and intensified. It is still a seven-seat SUV, still wildly comfortable and still very much – in the words of Terry Molloy (played by Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront) — 'a contendah.' Peugeot's spacious interior We've actually tried two of the three models on offer — the electric and the hybrid — and both see, unsurprisingly, Peugeot close to being at the top of its game. There is also a plug-in hybrid on offer and maybe we will get to try that in the not too distant, but for traditionalists there is no longer a diesel option. It was the EV version that we got to drive first and while this is a car that is very much of the current zeitgeist when it comes to electrics — the claimed range is 545 km (although unless you have a top-line fast charger that figure will fall to a smidge over 500) and that's about par for the course from most of the opposition. Thing is, though, that Peugeot has promised the arrival of an 'extended range' model which adds some 122km to the car's potential. I could be wrong here, but that has not arrived in Ireland yet to the best of my knowledge, but the very fact of its existence would pause many potential buyers from investing in the 'lesser' version. But, a 500km range is about average for an electric this size at this very point in time (although BMW is about to explode that capability with the launch of its 'Neue Klasse' range of electrics, the first of which will be made public in September and is said to boast an 800 km range) and quite acceptable as such. The 9.7 second 0-100 km/h time and the 170 km/h capability are pretty stock too, compared with the opposition. It is not a terribly quick car — even for one producing 207 bhp — but there is enough grunt there for snappy passing manoeuvres and getting up to motorway speeds from a slip road. Handling and ride are good — Peugeot, unlike some other manufacturers, has got the weight distribution balance right — and the e-5008 corners like it's on rails while showing little evidence of understeer or torque steer, especially so for a front wheel drive machine. The mild-hybrid, on the other hand, is slower 0-100 km/h (11.3 seconds), but has a faster top speed (197 km/h). It relies on a 1.2 litre petrol engine and a 0.9 kWh battery and a 16 kW electric motor with the 136 bhp of power once more going to the front wheels, this time via an automatic six-speed gearbox. Peugeot E-5008 GT Once again the on-road performance is on the money and this is a very stable and solid prospect, even for those who like to press on a bit. Somewhat unusually, there is very little visual difference between the electric and the ICE versions; Peugeot's new 'Lion' logo sits in the middle of a complex geometric grille which is very eye-catching and is flanked by a squinty-looking headlight arrangement and the now characteristic 'three talon' daytime running LED lights. At the rear end there is a similar light signature and, above that, there is a flat roof aimed at maximizing interior passenger and cargo space. None of your fancy-dan coupe or fastback styling here, thankfully. Interesting design touches (although the fantastic 'piano key' switchgear has been ditched for a less interesting set of buttons) include a massive new 'floating' 21' screen which is mounted on the dashboard of the uniquely Peugeot i-Cockpit and which contains all the instrumentation (which is variable depending on your preference), as well as all the infotainment functions. You can use the 'i-Toggle' function that houses all your shortcuts and beneath that those physical buttons for all the key functions which, these days, is both unusual and welcome. Rather than utilising some form of plastic, the designers have chosen a cloth finish for much of the dashboard — something that's now getting aped all over the place. They were aiming for a high-end lounge look and they achieved it. The seating is very French and therefore terribly comfortable and the middle row passengers benefit from deep grooves cut into the back of the front ones to maximise knee-room, while the third row is easily accessible but, as is ever the case with such things, only really suitable for smallies over longer distances. Boot space is a mere 348 litres with the third row in use, but this expands to an impressive 916 litres when they're folded down. While I'm not sure the 5008 still holds the level of impressive innovation that the second generation of the car displayed — mainly because so many others stole so many of tis good ideas, it is still an impressive beast and one that fulfils pretty much every demand a family could place on it. It might just be that it may not figure on our top COTY prize this year, but it is certainly going to be close to the top of the class in the family SUV segment and that's simply because it is so good at what it does — in either EV or ICE modes.
Auto Blog
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Why Stellantis' New European Design Chief Matters for Future Cars
A new creative mind for Europe Gilles Vidal, the former vice president of design at Renault Group, was named by Stellantis on Friday as the company's new head of design for its European brands, effective October 1. He replaces Jean-Pierre Ploué, who is departing the firm. Vidal will be in charge of the creative design approach for Stellantis' well-known European brands, which range from light commercial vehicles to city automobiles. Jean-Pierre Ploué — Source: Stellantis 'Gilles will build on the outstanding work carried out by Jean-Pierre Ploué, whom I salute for contributing to the revival and development of many of our brands and products,' said Ralph Gilles, Stellantis Chief Design Officer, to whom Vidal will report. Other executives offered equally effusive opinions about Vidal. Dodge Brand President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Gilles — Source: Joe Wilssens 'His deep understanding of European automotive culture and his forward-thinking design philosophy will be essential as we continue to redefine mobility and strengthen the identity of our European brands,' said Jean-Philippe Imparato, Europe Chief Operating Officer at Stellantis. The hiring of Vidal coincides with a pivotal moment for Stellantis, which is attempting to rebound under new CEO Antonio Filosa. In its key markets, including Europe, demand remains sluggish, and Chinese competitors, led by BYD, are gaining ground. This week's unexpected first-half net deficit of €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) highlights the difficulty Stellantis faces. Jean-Philippe Imparato — Source: Stellantis A triumphant return For Vidal, the appointment is a homecoming. Joining Groupe PSA in 1996, he played a key role in creating some of the most celebrated car designs. Between 2015 and 2019, he oversaw the design of many Peugeot models, including the Peugeot 308, 3008, and 208, which were all named European Cars of the Year. After 25 years designing vehicles for Citroën and Peugeot, Vidal left PSA in 2020, joining Renault to guide its design as well as that of Renault's electric-vehicle brand, Ampere. There, his designs for the Renault Scenic and Renault 5 also garnered European Cars of the Year awards. He also oversaw the design of Renault's electric-vehicle brand, Ampere. In fact, half of Vidal's 10 career awards have been European Car of the Year. Vidal will work closely with Gilles, who will report to Imparato. 'I am enthusiastic to return to my roots. In a world where technology and design should walk hand in hand to transform customer experience, I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,' Gilles Vidal said. 'I look forward to tackling them by working closely with Jean-Philippe, Ralph, and their teams.' Source: Renault Rebuilding Stellantis' bench Vidal's appointment should help strengthen the beleaguered automaker following Carlos Tavares' resignation as Stellantis CEO on December 1, 2024. His departure brought about the resignation of some of his loyal lieutenants as well, including Stellantis' Chief Software Officer Yves Bonnefont, Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson, and CFO Richard Palmer. As a result, refilling Stellantis' executive ranks is crucial. The ability of Stellantis' new CEO, Antonio Filosa, to attract top talent is important. In America, Filosa, formerly CEO of Stellantis North America, brought back Tim Kuniskis as Ram CEO following a six-month retirement before quickly promoting him to oversee all of Stellantis NV's American brands, marketing, and retail strategies. Vidal's departure from Renault weakens a company that has seen its top ranks empty out, as Renault CEO Luca de Meo, Chief Financial Officer Thierry Pieton, and Executive Vice President of Engineering Gilles Le Borgne have all recently left the company. Tim Kuniskis has been named Head of American Brands, Marketing, and Retail Strategy, while continuing to serve as CEO of Ram. — Source: Renault Final thoughts Stellantis's Filosa knows the challenges the company faces in Europe and is willing to attract the needed talent to revive the company's continental brands. As the company faces rising sales of Chinese vehicles, U.S. import tariffs, and an ever-quickening pace of EV adoption in Europe through government regulation, the hiring of Vidal is a crucial and cunning move. Source: Stellantis 'We are thrilled to welcome Gilles back to this key role. His deep understanding of European automotive culture and his forward-thinking design philosophy will be essential as we continue to redefine mobility and strengthen the identity of our European brands,' Imparato said. About the Author Larry Printz View Profile
Miami Herald
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Why Stellantis' New European Design Chief Matters for Future Cars
Gilles Vidal, the former vice president of design at Renault Group, was named by Stellantis on Friday as the company's new head of design for its European brands, effective October 1. He replaces Jean-Pierre Ploué, who is departing the firm. Vidal will be in charge of the creative design approach for Stellantis' well-known European brands, which range from light commercial vehicles to city automobiles. "Gilles will build on the outstanding work carried out by Jean-Pierre Ploué, whom I salute for contributing to the revival and development of many of our brands and products," said Ralph Gilles, Stellantis Chief Design Officer, to whom Vidal will report. Other executives offered equally effusive opinions about Vidal. "His deep understanding of European automotive culture and his forward-thinking design philosophy will be essential as we continue to redefine mobility and strengthen the identity of our European brands," said Jean-Philippe Imparato, Europe Chief Operating Officer at Stellantis. The hiring of Vidal coincides with a pivotal moment for Stellantis, which is attempting to rebound under new CEO Antonio Filosa. In its key markets, including Europe, demand remains sluggish, and Chinese competitors, led by BYD, are gaining ground. This week's unexpected first-half net deficit of €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) highlights the difficulty Stellantis faces. For Vidal, the appointment is a homecoming. Joining Groupe PSA in 1996, he played a key role in creating some of the most celebrated car designs. Between 2015 and 2019, he oversaw the design of many Peugeot models, including the Peugeot 308, 3008, and 208, which were all named European Cars of the Year. After 25 years designing vehicles for Citroën and Peugeot, Vidal left PSA in 2020, joining Renault to guide its design as well as that of Renault's electric-vehicle brand, Ampere. There, his designs for the Renault Scenic and Renault 5 also garnered European Cars of the Year awards. He also oversaw the design of Renault's electric-vehicle brand, Ampere. In fact, half of Vidal's 10 career awards have been European Car of the Year. Vidal will work closely with Gilles, who will report to Imparato. "I am enthusiastic to return to my roots. In a world where technology and design should walk hand in hand to transform customer experience, I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead," Gilles Vidal said. "I look forward to tackling them by working closely with Jean-Philippe, Ralph, and their teams." Vidal's appointment should help strengthen the beleaguered automaker following Carlos Tavares' resignation as Stellantis CEO on December 1, 2024. His departure brought about the resignation of some of his loyal lieutenants as well, including Stellantis' Chief Software Officer Yves Bonnefont, Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson, and CFO Richard Palmer. As a result, refilling Stellantis' executive ranks is crucial. The ability of Stellantis' new CEO, Antonio Filosa, to attract top talent is important. In America, Filosa, formerly CEO of Stellantis North America, brought back Tim Kuniskis as Ram CEO following a six-month retirement before quickly promoting him to oversee all of Stellantis NV's American brands, marketing, and retail strategies. Vidal's departure from Renault weakens a company that has seen its top ranks empty out, as Renault CEO Luca de Meo, Chief Financial Officer Thierry Pieton, and Executive Vice President of Engineering Gilles Le Borgne have all recently left the company. Stellantis's Filosa knows the challenges the company faces in Europe and is willing to attract the needed talent to revive the company's continental brands. As the company faces rising sales of Chinese vehicles, U.S. import tariffs, and an ever-quickening pace of EV adoption in Europe through government regulation, the hiring of Vidal is a crucial and cunning move. "We are thrilled to welcome Gilles back to this key role. His deep understanding of European automotive culture and his forward-thinking design philosophy will be essential as we continue to redefine mobility and strengthen the identity of our European brands," Imparato said. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Advertiser
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Peugeot and Fiat parent steal design boss back from Renault
After five years at rival Renault, Gilles Vidal will become head of design for European brands for Stellantis from October 1. There he will oversee the design of cars, SUVs and vans from Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat/Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. He replaces his former boss Jean-Pierre Ploué, who will leave Stellantis. His return to Stellantis is the latest in a series of executive changes and appointment since Antonio Filosa took charge of the French-Italian-American automaker in late June. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Mr Vidal has been the Renault Group's head of design Gilles Vidal. During his relatively short tenure there he has overseen a number of key models and important changes. The Renault 5 EV concept, which debuted in 2021, was turned into the 2024 production model. This has been joined by the 4 E-Tech, another retro-flavoured all-electric model, and starting with the 2023 Rafale, a new design language has been rolled out across the Renault lineup. On top of this he also oversaw the introduction of a harder-edged style for Dacia, and the transformation of Alpine into a brand that also encompasses sporty electric SUVs. No interim or long-term successor has been named for Mr Vidal. His departure sees the French automaker thrown into more chaos. In June, CEO Luca de Meo suddenly quit to lead Kering, a luxury brand conglomerate that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and others. Renault has appointed chief financial officer Duncan Minto as interim boss, but a full-time replacement has yet to be found. Prior to leading the Renault Group's design operations, Mr Vidal had spent all of his working life at Group PSA, the then-parent of Peugeot and Citroen. He joined Citroen in 1996 after graduating from the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He ascended through the ranks, working on both interior and exterior design, and managing the development of the first-generation Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso (above). Mr Vidal was appointed as the Peugeot's brand chief designer in 2010, where he helped to craft a sportier and more modern image for the marque. Highlights include the 2013 Peugeot 308, the second-generation 508 launched in 2018, and the 3008 revealed in 2016. He also oversaw the introduction of the iCockpit interior design theme, which blends aircraft inspiration with the company's latest infotainment systems. MORE: Everything Peugeot Content originally sourced from: After five years at rival Renault, Gilles Vidal will become head of design for European brands for Stellantis from October 1. There he will oversee the design of cars, SUVs and vans from Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat/Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. He replaces his former boss Jean-Pierre Ploué, who will leave Stellantis. His return to Stellantis is the latest in a series of executive changes and appointment since Antonio Filosa took charge of the French-Italian-American automaker in late June. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Mr Vidal has been the Renault Group's head of design Gilles Vidal. During his relatively short tenure there he has overseen a number of key models and important changes. The Renault 5 EV concept, which debuted in 2021, was turned into the 2024 production model. This has been joined by the 4 E-Tech, another retro-flavoured all-electric model, and starting with the 2023 Rafale, a new design language has been rolled out across the Renault lineup. On top of this he also oversaw the introduction of a harder-edged style for Dacia, and the transformation of Alpine into a brand that also encompasses sporty electric SUVs. No interim or long-term successor has been named for Mr Vidal. His departure sees the French automaker thrown into more chaos. In June, CEO Luca de Meo suddenly quit to lead Kering, a luxury brand conglomerate that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and others. Renault has appointed chief financial officer Duncan Minto as interim boss, but a full-time replacement has yet to be found. Prior to leading the Renault Group's design operations, Mr Vidal had spent all of his working life at Group PSA, the then-parent of Peugeot and Citroen. He joined Citroen in 1996 after graduating from the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He ascended through the ranks, working on both interior and exterior design, and managing the development of the first-generation Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso (above). Mr Vidal was appointed as the Peugeot's brand chief designer in 2010, where he helped to craft a sportier and more modern image for the marque. Highlights include the 2013 Peugeot 308, the second-generation 508 launched in 2018, and the 3008 revealed in 2016. He also oversaw the introduction of the iCockpit interior design theme, which blends aircraft inspiration with the company's latest infotainment systems. MORE: Everything Peugeot Content originally sourced from: After five years at rival Renault, Gilles Vidal will become head of design for European brands for Stellantis from October 1. There he will oversee the design of cars, SUVs and vans from Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat/Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. He replaces his former boss Jean-Pierre Ploué, who will leave Stellantis. His return to Stellantis is the latest in a series of executive changes and appointment since Antonio Filosa took charge of the French-Italian-American automaker in late June. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Mr Vidal has been the Renault Group's head of design Gilles Vidal. During his relatively short tenure there he has overseen a number of key models and important changes. The Renault 5 EV concept, which debuted in 2021, was turned into the 2024 production model. This has been joined by the 4 E-Tech, another retro-flavoured all-electric model, and starting with the 2023 Rafale, a new design language has been rolled out across the Renault lineup. On top of this he also oversaw the introduction of a harder-edged style for Dacia, and the transformation of Alpine into a brand that also encompasses sporty electric SUVs. No interim or long-term successor has been named for Mr Vidal. His departure sees the French automaker thrown into more chaos. In June, CEO Luca de Meo suddenly quit to lead Kering, a luxury brand conglomerate that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and others. Renault has appointed chief financial officer Duncan Minto as interim boss, but a full-time replacement has yet to be found. Prior to leading the Renault Group's design operations, Mr Vidal had spent all of his working life at Group PSA, the then-parent of Peugeot and Citroen. He joined Citroen in 1996 after graduating from the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He ascended through the ranks, working on both interior and exterior design, and managing the development of the first-generation Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso (above). Mr Vidal was appointed as the Peugeot's brand chief designer in 2010, where he helped to craft a sportier and more modern image for the marque. Highlights include the 2013 Peugeot 308, the second-generation 508 launched in 2018, and the 3008 revealed in 2016. He also oversaw the introduction of the iCockpit interior design theme, which blends aircraft inspiration with the company's latest infotainment systems. MORE: Everything Peugeot Content originally sourced from: After five years at rival Renault, Gilles Vidal will become head of design for European brands for Stellantis from October 1. There he will oversee the design of cars, SUVs and vans from Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat/Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. He replaces his former boss Jean-Pierre Ploué, who will leave Stellantis. His return to Stellantis is the latest in a series of executive changes and appointment since Antonio Filosa took charge of the French-Italian-American automaker in late June. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Mr Vidal has been the Renault Group's head of design Gilles Vidal. During his relatively short tenure there he has overseen a number of key models and important changes. The Renault 5 EV concept, which debuted in 2021, was turned into the 2024 production model. This has been joined by the 4 E-Tech, another retro-flavoured all-electric model, and starting with the 2023 Rafale, a new design language has been rolled out across the Renault lineup. On top of this he also oversaw the introduction of a harder-edged style for Dacia, and the transformation of Alpine into a brand that also encompasses sporty electric SUVs. No interim or long-term successor has been named for Mr Vidal. His departure sees the French automaker thrown into more chaos. In June, CEO Luca de Meo suddenly quit to lead Kering, a luxury brand conglomerate that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and others. Renault has appointed chief financial officer Duncan Minto as interim boss, but a full-time replacement has yet to be found. Prior to leading the Renault Group's design operations, Mr Vidal had spent all of his working life at Group PSA, the then-parent of Peugeot and Citroen. He joined Citroen in 1996 after graduating from the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He ascended through the ranks, working on both interior and exterior design, and managing the development of the first-generation Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso (above). Mr Vidal was appointed as the Peugeot's brand chief designer in 2010, where he helped to craft a sportier and more modern image for the marque. Highlights include the 2013 Peugeot 308, the second-generation 508 launched in 2018, and the 3008 revealed in 2016. He also oversaw the introduction of the iCockpit interior design theme, which blends aircraft inspiration with the company's latest infotainment systems. MORE: Everything Peugeot Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
Peugeot and Fiat parent steal design boss back from Renault
After five years at rival Renault, Gilles Vidal will become head of design for European brands for Stellantis from October 1. There he will oversee the design of cars, SUVs and vans from Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat/Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia. He replaces his former boss Jean-Pierre Ploué, who will leave Stellantis. His return to Stellantis is the latest in a series of executive changes and appointment since Antonio Filosa took charge of the French-Italian-American automaker in late June. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Mr Vidal has been the Renault Group's head of design Gilles Vidal. During his relatively short tenure there he has overseen a number of key models and important changes. The Renault 5 EV concept, which debuted in 2021, was turned into the 2024 production model. This has been joined by the 4 E-Tech, another retro-flavoured all-electric model, and starting with the 2023 Rafale, a new design language has been rolled out across the Renault lineup. On top of this he also oversaw the introduction of a harder-edged style for Dacia, and the transformation of Alpine into a brand that also encompasses sporty electric SUVs. No interim or long-term successor has been named for Mr Vidal. His departure sees the French automaker thrown into more chaos. In June, CEO Luca de Meo suddenly quit to lead Kering, a luxury brand conglomerate that owns Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and others. Renault has appointed chief financial officer Duncan Minto as interim boss, but a full-time replacement has yet to be found. Prior to leading the Renault Group's design operations, Mr Vidal had spent all of his working life at Group PSA, the then-parent of Peugeot and Citroen. He joined Citroen in 1996 after graduating from the Art Centre College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He ascended through the ranks, working on both interior and exterior design, and managing the development of the first-generation Citroen C4 and C4 Picasso (above). Mr Vidal was appointed as the Peugeot's brand chief designer in 2010, where he helped to craft a sportier and more modern image for the marque. Highlights include the 2013 Peugeot 308, the second-generation 508 launched in 2018, and the 3008 revealed in 2016. He also oversaw the introduction of the iCockpit interior design theme, which blends aircraft inspiration with the company's latest infotainment systems.
