Peugeot BB1 spotted in its natural habitat...France [w/VIDEO]
Peugeot BB1 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
After enduring some amount of scorn and ridicule at the recently held Frankfurt Motor Show, the bizarre (and we're being kind) BB1 concept from Peugeot hasn't quietly disappeared graciously from the scene never to be heard from again. Indeed, the geometrically-challenged electric has instead sought out the company of those who might actually enjoy its Pushmi-pullyu-ness and who may invite it to pull up a chair and have a baguette or something. Yes, we're talking France. (Relaxe, c'est une blague. J'aime beaucoup les Français. Vraiment!) The St-Honoré market in Paris to be exact.
We understand it may be hard to believe the 2.5 meter (8.2 foot) long city car would dare show its fascia in public again after the critical drubbing its quizzical styling received, but you don't have to take our word for it. The apparently emotionally-resilient auto was captured ferrying several fiscally-compensated actors about the City of Light in a reality-augmented video that we believe is meant to demonstrate the functionality of its trick interior as well as its, um, one-of-a-kind exterior. Does this mean it will someday go into production? We're willing to bet big bucks on "no." Hit the jump for all the BB1 action your stomach can handle.
Gallery: Peugeot BB1 Concept
[Source: Peugeot]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chance 7:25PM (10/15/2009)
I would buy one.
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Mark Kiernan 7:32PM (10/15/2009)
I think if they sold it for under 10k EUR they would have a great sale with young people. I think they should even out the angles a bit though. But the general premise of the car would sell.
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srue 7:48PM (10/15/2009)
Great post. I actually laughed (out loud) several times.
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EV-1 8:30PM (10/15/2009)
It's sooo coool !
Just because Domenick Yoney thinks it looks _____ something, doesn't mean it has to be scrapped.
It's a bit of fresh air : relieving !
( as long as you're brainwashed that the stubby Tesla is the norm, your conservative aesthetical sense just won't get it )
It's FUN !
:)
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Chance 12:48AM (10/16/2009)
It's so ugly it's beautiful.
Throwback 8:36PM (10/15/2009)
Why do so many of these EVs have an Ipod interface? Is that supposed to make the car more desirable? I think its rather silly.
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Matt 11:47AM (10/16/2009)
It's definitely not an iPod what he's putting in.
Hans Wurst 11:21PM (10/15/2009)
Wow, what a surprise, that a French car would show up in France!
And that a blogger would not know beauty when it runs him over...
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mike 11:38PM (10/15/2009)
I still think it is one of the most interesting concepts I've seen in a couple years if considered with an eye toward actual usability.
The seating is very clever and with a little work to include safety belts and maximize flat load space when seats aren't being used could really end up being an awesome advance in interior packaging for small cars.
The thing I like least is the limited portion of the windows which can be opened.
I think the suicide doors are quite stylish and also very functional here.
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Murc 12:17AM (10/16/2009)
This car is the ugliest thing to ever touch the roads...I'm pretty sure I could buy a rust bucket from a junkyard, dip it in a big tank of cow shit, and then push it off the grand canyon...and that mangled mess...would still look better then this piece of crap.
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Hans Wurst 9:21AM (10/16/2009)
Shit is in the eye of the beholder 8oP
Guy 3:05AM (10/16/2009)
I like it ! Futuristic !
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ben.trovato 4:09AM (10/16/2009)
I like it. It's nice to see a bit of radical re-thinking.
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jim 8:23AM (10/16/2009)
Interestingly the UK buff book Car, opined that at the Frankfort auto show that the design proposals from the French manufacturers were the most compelling. That they showed a path away from design that has become stale and 'me to.' But the BB1 is a step too far.
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mike 8:59AM (10/16/2009)
It's a very interesting car and one I would actually like to know a bit more about.
I have to say I am a bit disappointed that ABG's interest in it seems to halt at pointing and saying it is funny looking.
From other sources it apparently has in-wheel electric motors and pretty reasonable acceleration and about a 75 mile range.
It is unclear to me if the solar roof powers an air conditioning system or just and air purification system.
I'd like to know where the batteries reside and what is up front under the "hood" exactly.
Crumple zones are a big issue and manufacturers need to have some assurance you won't fill a curmple zone with bricks and defeat the safety features of the design.
But I cannot help thinking that it might actually have quite a lot of storage space up front there if the batteries are under the floor or seats.
Also... with in-wheel motors, what powers the heating system and does it have AC at all?
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Domenick Yoney 2:09PM (10/16/2009)
Sorry to disappoint you Mike, I had assumed we had included the specs in the first post we did on it but apparently we didn't. It does has in-wheel motors in the rear that we're developed with Michelin (the company who has developed the Active wheel). Range is said to be about 75 miles. The whole thing weighs less than 1323 lbs which is excellent for a 4-seater.
It's nice to see so many embracing its looks in the comments section but to be sure, this is strictly a concept vehicle meant to explore design and construction possibilities. Hopefully Peugeot, who does have some great designs, puts some of these elements to good use in future electric product.
See http://www.bb1-peugeot.com/
KK 11:43AM (10/16/2009)
I think it looks fantastic. Other EVs (even the Aptera) look so 20th Century by comparison. The enormous windshield is a great feature - I think it's a good way to insure visibility AND to make the car feel less claustrophobic.
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Matt 11:51AM (10/16/2009)
I wonder if the big glass destorts the front view. It is very wildly bent and all...
KK 12:06PM (10/16/2009)
That's a good point. But the curvature on the front section isn't very strong. The sharp bend in the windshield is fairly high up, so it shouldn't distort the driver's view of the road. At worst it would distort the view of a traffic light above.
Bill 2:23PM (10/16/2009)
Well, the French term "avant garde" certainly applies to this French car. French auto designers have never been afraid to go out on a limb: Citroen 2CV, Citroen DS, Renault Dauphine, Renault Megane Scenic, etc.
To me, "BB1" is to "car" as "pug" is to "dog". Some people think the smashed-in nose is ugly, some people it's cute.
I think only the French would buy this car.
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