Partnership powers 'BO' EV
Pininfarina's electric legacyIt's the late Andrea Pininfarina's final gift to autoworld, unveiled just weeks after his motorcycle crash death in August.
The B0 (they go to some pains to explain that's 'B-Zero') is a four-seat hatch that cuts a striking profile, in keeping with the reputation of this most accomplished of Italian design studios.
Less in keeping with that reputation is that it's small, affordable and all-electric, the product of a joint venture with French battery specialist Bollore. This is no showpiece from a parallel universe, but a ready-to-roll mass production model scheduled for sale in Europe in late 2009.
It's also set to present the green motoring with a new yardstick.
It's a given that an all-electric plug-in like the B0 produces no carbon dioxide or particulate emissions. But Pininfarina has gone above and beyond the normal call of duty with thoughtful use of body, trim and battery materials selected to minimise the car's total environmental impact. All are reusable and recyclable, while solar panels and regenerative braking help make the most use of each charge, helping minimise the car's drain on the electricity grid.
The motor transfers its 45kW to tar via an automatic gearbox. Power comes care of a Bollore-developed lithium polymer pack, a sophisticated mix of batteries and supercapacitors -- the latter providing a substantial boost to the efficiency of the regenerative braking system. The company claims it's maintenance-free, with a life expectancy of about 200,000 km.
The partners claim it will reach 60km/h in 6.3 seconds, putting it in the same league as many an entry-level petrol powered littlie. Top speed is an electronically governed 130km/h, with a claimed range of up to 250 km.
Where it shows its heritage is in Pininfarina's clever placement of the battery -- not just amidships but low down, to keep its centre of gravity low. The result they describe as "outstanding road-holding properties".
Price? Pundits are hoping to see it go to market for around $US23,000, plus a separate leasing cost for the battery pack.
Image: NineMSN - Rod Hatfield
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