Concept cars can feel a little like X-rated movies. They are mostly a single-shot affair. One year on the circuit, and they are gone. With so much variety out there, why bother diving deep into an old one?
But every once in a while… there comes a concept car so legendary, you could watch it every day and be a happy camper.
The 1986 Peugeot Proxima is that concept car.
Part LeMans racer, part Sci-Fi fantasy, part Batmobile Tumbler — the Promixa is a stunning piece of design and engineering even 30 years later. It was powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 and claimed a Vmax of 348-kph — nearly 217-mph. In 1986, that was pure fantasy stuff. The Ferrari F40 could barely, barely crack 200-mph on a good day.
Out favorite elements? The easy-access sliding canopy, the central spine tail fin for high-speed stability, the exposed turbochargers ahead of each wheel, and the giant unshrouded rear end to let everything breath.
Granted, with the huge engine and track debris off those gigantic tires melting from turbo’s at 1000-degrees …. it might have been breathing fire out the back.
But what a skin flick. One for the ages.
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1986 Peugeot PROXIMA
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.