France's Peugeot is celebrating its 200th birthday. A company that started by building coffee mills and, a bit later, bicycles, Peugeot built it first car in 1882. With its 1995-2006 Peugeot 106, this automaker holds the distinction of having sold the most zero-emissions cars in the world. Peugeot soon will be offering a new production EV, the iOn, basically a badge-engineered Mitsubishi i-MiEV. It has now also developed a high-performance electric sports car, at least in concept form.
The EX1's radical styling borrows cues from two previous Peugeot concept cars, the 1996 Asphalte and 2005 20Cup. The EX1's carbon/honeycomb composite monocoque body is shaped like a ‘water droplet’ with the rear section built around two closely set rear wheels. The high tech material was chosen for it superb weight and rigidity characteristics and incorporates all of the mounting points for the mechanical components. The EX1 is a mere 70 inches wide and 35.2 inches tall for both a low center of gravity and great aerodynamics.
Powering the EX1 are two electric motors, one attached to each of the axles. A gearbox is not required. They provide a maximum output of 340 hp for spectacular performance, at least by EV standards. Peugeot claims it can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.58 seconds and can reach its maximum speed of 162 mph from a standing start in a mere 6.6 seconds. The EX1 has already broken several International Automobile Federation approved standing start world records for electric-powered vehicles.
According to Peugeot, the 30 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides a range of up to 280 miles, if driven sensibly. The EX1 can be recharged from a standard electrical outlet or by parking inside a custom-built building that includes solar panels on the roof. Electric power, stored in a separate battery, can charge the EX1 when docked in the building.
Entry for driver and passenger to the two, nearly horizontal sport bucket seats is via a reverse-opening door. The driver, who is seated at floor level, controls the EX1 with two control handles, like controlling a fighter aircraft or video game.
Occupants are protected by safety harnesses as well as by the height of the carbon passenger cell, which has sufficient overhead clearance to include a roll-over protection bar. Similarly, its wind deflector allows the car to be driven on a daily basis without a helmet.
The front suspension consists of a drop link double wishbone arrangement. Rear suspension is comprised of a single swing arm linked to a centrally mounted shock absorber, which is connected via a rocker arm to provide a variable damping rate.
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