Peugeot BB1
http://www.peugeot-id.com/articles/300/1/Peugeot-BB1/Page1.html
Peugeot -Id
By Peugeot -Id
Published on 01/8/2010
Not content with unveiling the i0n electric city car (a tie-up with Mitsubishi) and a pair of diesel-electric hybrids, Peugeot has lifted the covers off the rather more original BB1 concept. It's a two-door electric car with four seats and, of course, no CO2 emissions.
Not content with unveiling the i0n electric city car (a tie-up with Mitsubishi) and a pair of diesel-electric hybrids, Peugeot has lifted the covers off the rather more original BB1 concept. It's a two-door electric car with four seats and, of course, no CO2 emissions.
What's all the fuss about?
Peugeot claims the BB1 has 'reinvented the automobile in every way,' which may sound a touch hyperbolic, but it's a very clever car indeed. The seating position is inspired by a motorbike, so each rear passenger wraps his or her legs around the person in front, leaning forwards. The driver steers with a pair of handlebars, and technically, according to Peugeot, it could qualify as a quadricycle.
What makes it so green?
It's powered by two rear in-wheel electric motors, developed by tyre maker Michelin, and although each only generates 20bhp, each also has a Golf TDI-equalling 236lb.ft of torque, so acceleration will be brisk. Of course, it's electric, so there are no nasty carbon dioxide particles to worry about, nor any diesel rattle. And because it's built around a tubular frame similar to a bike - with a body made from carbon fibre - it's nice and light, so it needs less battery power to push it around - endowing it with a range of 75 miles between charges.
When can I buy one?
Peugeot is deadly serious about putting this into production, with a mooted price of around £7,000 reported by some sources. That's not too expensive a way of ferrying four people about, particularly when fuel costs aren't a worry, and also when Peugeot claims its structure allows the possibility of custom bodies to suit any driver's styling preference. But don't hold your breath - it'll be a good couple of years before something like this sees the light of day.
Written by: Mark Nichol
Peugeot claims the BB1 has 'reinvented the automobile in every way,' which may sound a touch hyperbolic, but it's a very clever car indeed. The seating position is inspired by a motorbike, so each rear passenger wraps his or her legs around the person in front, leaning forwards. The driver steers with a pair of handlebars, and technically, according to Peugeot, it could qualify as a quadricycle.
What makes it so green?
It's powered by two rear in-wheel electric motors, developed by tyre maker Michelin, and although each only generates 20bhp, each also has a Golf TDI-equalling 236lb.ft of torque, so acceleration will be brisk. Of course, it's electric, so there are no nasty carbon dioxide particles to worry about, nor any diesel rattle. And because it's built around a tubular frame similar to a bike - with a body made from carbon fibre - it's nice and light, so it needs less battery power to push it around - endowing it with a range of 75 miles between charges.
When can I buy one?
Peugeot is deadly serious about putting this into production, with a mooted price of around £7,000 reported by some sources. That's not too expensive a way of ferrying four people about, particularly when fuel costs aren't a worry, and also when Peugeot claims its structure allows the possibility of custom bodies to suit any driver's styling preference. But don't hold your breath - it'll be a good couple of years before something like this sees the light of day.
Written by: Mark Nichol