Peugeot EX1: Lion Marque Gives Electric Cars Some Claws

By Antony Ingram

Antony Ingram

Contributing Writer BIO

Antony is an automotive obsessive: Whether it drives, sits there looking pretty or intrigues from afar, he'll talk and write about it. Automotive... More

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Peugeot EX1 EV concept

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Here at AllCarsElectric we give you electric car news and views we feel will help our readers make informed decisions should you ever wish to buy an electric car.

Sometimes though, it can be fun to look at something you'll probably never be able to buy. Something that makes even the most ardent petrolhead want an EV, and makes us EV fans wish they could put it in their garage next to their Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt or Coda Sedan. This time, that car is Peugeot's aggressive EX1 concept car.

Peugeot specialize in making small and economical hatchbacks that swarm Europe's roads, frequently featuring in top-ten sales lists in most European countries. When the designers get a moment though, they're free to create crazy concept cars that only ever see service on motor show stands, or in the case of the EX1, Peugeot's showroom on the famous Champs-Elysees in Paris until November 14th.

Despite appearances, the EX1 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a motor for each wheel. It uses high-output lithium-ion batteries coupled to four 125 kW electric motors, offering a combined total horsepower of 340. This gives the lightweight (carbon-composite bodied) EX1 a 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) time of less than 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 162mph.

The EX1 has a low center of gravity with a height of only 35.4 inches, with a width of just under 70 inches.

Styling cues are taken from Peugeot's current design language, and uses details from cars such as the BB1 electric urban concept vehicle and their RCZ Coupe road car.

The EX1 is clearly a vehicle from the same vein as other French EV concepts such as Renault's beautiful DeZir and sister company Citroen's Survolt which as echoes of the Bugatti Veyron millionaires' plaything. Like those two vehicles though, it's destined to not venture further than the shiny concept car stage.

It's always nice to dream though...

[Automotive News]