Peugeot EX1 concept car
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22nd September, 2010
Peugeot’s latest concept car is a visually striking
two-seater roadster with futuristic styling and an original architecture, designed to offer intense driving
sensations as a celebration of the marque’s 200th anniversary.
The EX1 has already broken several world records for acceleration from a standing start.
It owes its stunning performance to its streamlined aerodynamics, its ultra-light structure and its two
electric motors, which give the car a cumulative maximum power of 250 kW and all wheel drive.
As the preparations for the commercial launch of the Mitsubishi-sourced iOn near completion, Peugeot
demonstrates with the EX1 the exciting possibilities for electric power.
200 Years of Adventure
The powerful spirit of inventiveness is always present in Peugeot’s design centres and assists in making
an unceasing flow of ideas. The most daring, interesting and exciting of these ideas can come together, to
give the ‘body and soul’ to an extreme dream car.
With the desire to unveil a stunning concept car to celebrate Peugeot’s 200th anniversary, some of these
exciting ideas quickly became associated with another ambition: that of highlighting the enormous
possibilities offered by the use of electric power in the realm of providing new driving sensations.
To this end, engineers and stylists explored the marque’s history to find the most radical technical
solutions to use as a basis to produce a futuristic performance vehicle dedicated entirely to makining new
driving sensations yet at the same time presenting responsible environmental credentials. The original
architecture is reminiscent of previous charismatic concept cars like the Asphalte and 20Cup, while also
benefiting from all of the marque’s historical expertise in the field of electric vehicles.
At a time when the electric motor once again becomes 100% real for Peugeot, with the i0n about to go on
sale in Europe, the EX1 propels Peugeot into a new dimension of raw emotion.
Efficient Styling
The styling of this two-seater roadster is in keeping with its mechanical design, reminiscent of a
“exoskeleton” further highlighting the light-weight nature that guided the vehicle’s design.
The styling of the body incorporates Peugeot’s new design codes, first seen on the
SR1
concept car earlier this year, with its “floating” front grille and flowing contours. Polished aluminium
components adorn the door surrounds in a reference to the
BB1.
Architecture, Structure and Suspension
Far from being a “classic” roadster, the new EX1 concept car is based on an architecture shaped like a
droplet of water, with a rear section built around two closely set rear wheels.
Based on the experience gained from making the 1996 Asphalte concept car and the two 20Cup models from
2005 the chosen architecture of the EX1 has enabled the size of the passenger compartment to be reduced
for optimal weight distribution and ensure that there is no extra weight at all in the body overhangs.
The suspension employs a number of technical solutions that ensure road holding of a very high level.
The front suspension consists of a drop link double wishbone arrangement. The rear suspension comprises of
a single “swinging arm” linked to a centrally mounted shock absorber which is connected via a rocker arm
to provide a variable damping rate.
The monocoque body structure is manufactured from a carbon/honeycomb composite to optimise weight and
rigidity. It also incorporates all of the mounting points for the car’s mechanical components.
Finally, the dimensions of the car (0.90 m high with a width of 1.77 m) contribute to overall efficiency,
a lowering of the centre of gravity and improved aerodynamics.
Engines
The electric motor is a potential source of new driving sensations credited to its exceptional
acceleration capabilities, but also because it is silent in operation and makes the vehicle very easy to
drive (no need for a gearbox).
For the EX1 concept car, two electric motors are used, one on each axle, each with a peak output of 125
kW (250 kW), and an immediately available constant maximum torque of 240 Nm at the front and rear.
This mechanical architecture allows not only the optimisation of weight distribution, but also all
wheel drive. This reflects the positional benefits of HYbrid4 technology, available as standard (in Europe)
on the 3008 from 2011, featuring an HDi FAP diesel engine at the front and an electric motor at the rear.
A Futuristic and Sophisticated Passenger Compartment
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Accommodation in
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The driver and passenger climb into the passenger compartment through a reverse-opening door, giving
access to the two sports bucket seats. This unusual arrangement instantly immerses the occupants in a
futuristic and sophisticated environment, as does the on-board instrumentation (instrument panel screens
for each occupant showing in particular the vehicle’s instantaneous performance) and the chosen materials
(e.g. “pure” metals and embossed leather).
The driver, seated at floor level in a driving position that helps enhances the sense of excitement
(legs outstretched), drives the vehicle with two control handles, providing an experience similar to that
of an aircraft pilot or video game.
As well as the presence of harnesses inside the car, the occupants are also protected by the height of
the carbon passenger cell, which has sufficient overhead clearance to include a roll-over protection bar.
Similarly, the wind deflector, perfectly integrated in terms of style, allows the car to be driven
on a daily basis without a helmet.
An Electric Dream Car = Record Breaker
The Peugeot EX1 concept car benefits from characteristics that give it a high enough level of
performance not only to leave behind the city centre, the preferred territory of electric vehicles, but
also to challenge acceleration records. Its lightness, weight distribution and aerodynamics, the torque
and power of its two electric motors and its high-output lithium-ion battery are just some of the
characteristics that make this a car capable of lightning-like acceleration: the latter can exceed 1 G of
gravitational force.
Indeed the EX1 concept car has already broken the following international records (approved by the
International Automobile Federation) for an electric-powered vehicle. This series of records was
established by Nicolas Vanier who drove the EX1 concept car.
Between now and the end of the year, China, now the world’s largest car market, will be the setting for
the EX1 to pursue other world records.
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