Electricity and Peugeot make Serious Grunt.
Electric cars are somewhat of a novelty on our roads, and yet they are likely to become more and more common as people become aware of their value. No emissions, for a start. And it’s not very hard to plug in a cord at home or a commercial outlet in order for you to charge up your electric powered mode of transport. But how sporty can you get with an electric motor? And just how feasible is an electric motor for generating serious grunt? I mean there are some of us that may well be addicted to the electric motor’s smellier and noisier cousins. Surely an electric powered motor vehicle couldn’t match a petrol or diesel-donk. Could it? Recently, Peugeot’s latest EX1 gob-smacked the latest Paris motor show. Read on, and you’ll find out why.
Silencing any critic who might suggest an electric motorcar is as slow as a wet week might not be an easy task. However, it could well be made easier when discovering that Peugeot has created a new meaning for ‘plug-in power’ with its EX1 sports car prototype!
Made from carbon/honeycomb composite to optimise weight and rigidity, the very sleek looking Peugeot EX1 has a low centre of gravity and a suspension set-up that ensures a very high level of road holding. Particularly from the front, the EX1 looks very sporty, even a little aggressive and reminiscent of a bat mobile.
What slings this little rocket along is the two electric motors that produce 125 kW each. Effective straight away is the twist of 240 Nm of torque at the front and the rear axles – which not only provides an ideal weight distribution, but also unbeatable all-wheel-drive traction.
Being just a two seater, one would think that the EX1 might be a little light in an accident. It may well be, however Peugeot note that the little high speed roadster incorporates a specially designed passenger cell, which has sufficient overhead clearance to include a roll-over protection bar. They also state that you can drive this daily to work with out a helmet.
The Peugeot’s futuristic looks are exemplified by the way the driver and passenger climb into their seats through reverse-opening doors. An awesome go-kart like experience is promised when both occupants sit virtually at road level. Two joy sticks control the car’s steering.
Unlike many other prototype vehicles, this is one prototype that is in full working order. And the Peugeot EX1 holds many world records – already. Standing-start acceleration is phenomenal in the EX1, and so in the class for vehicles under one tonne, the Peugeot EX1 holds the ⅛ mile, ¼ mile, 500 metres, ½ mile, 1 kilometre and mile world records. The very swift time of around 3.5 seconds from 0 – 60 mph (0 – 96 km/h) is in petrol supercar territory.
Certainly, the Peugeot EX1 would suggest that electric cars are from dull. It’s amazing what the very first light bulb has turned into! Thomas Eddison would be extremely proud, I’m sure!
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