Peugeot: BB1 breaks ground in mobility

The BB1 has handlebars and saddle-like seats - fitting in with bicycles and scooters as well as cars. Photo / Supplied

An answer to Japan's wacky show concepts, or the future of motoring? In fact Peugeot says its BB1 scooter car delivers mobility in today's crowded urban environments, as much as tomorrow's.

Just 2.5m long, the BB1 seats four in saddle-like seats. Its packaging miracle is achieved by rethinking the driving task. There are no pedals, so the driver sits more upright with the rear passenger's legs around the driver's torso, motorbike pillion-style.

Forget steering wheels, the driver uses handlebars to control the wee beast.

Luggage? There's a 160-litre boot with four aboard, or 855 with the driver alone.

Peugeot sought inspiration from quad bikes when planning the BB1's electric propulsion system, co-developed with tyre manufacturer Michelin. It uses a pair of 7.5kW/320Nm motors to power the rear wheels, with 0-30kph in 2.8 seconds, 30-60kph in four seconds, and a maximum speed for the brave of 90km/h, thanks to the massive torque, always plentiful from electric motors.

The two Lithium-ion battery packs tucked beneath the rear seats are good for 120km. Battery and motors sit between the axles to improve stability, sprung by a conventional, double-wishbone suspension.

A light carbon body and a motorbike-style tubular chassis are key to the light, 600kg weight, despite extras like the roof-mounted solar panels. They power cabin pre-ventilation and the system that traps pollutants within the cab.

Peugeot says BB1 tips a nod to the baby Peugeot models of 1905 and 1912, and to the VLV built during World War II. It says the car is a logical addition to a vehicle line-up that incorporates bicycles and scooters, as well as cars. And it's hinting at a production version.