Although Pininfarina – the design firm most noted for its work with Ferrari – has had a rough financial go as of late, a new deal promises to put the Italian designer firm back on the right track. Thanks to that pending deal, everything is full speed ahead at Pininfarina, as evidenced by the all-new B0 electric concept car the Italian design firm unveiled at the Paris Motor Show
The concept car, which was developed in a partnership with French firm Bolloré, features an electric motor and battery created by Bolloré. With a range exceeding 250km, the B0 would provide a significant threat to gasoline-powered vehicles in urban areas. Though Pininfarina didn’t provide many details, the Italian firm did say that the B0 is a production-intent model set to roll out as a 2011 model.
Pininfarina has set some pretty lofty goals for its upcoming electric car, with plans to put it into production by late 2010 – the same target General Motors has for its Chevrolet Volt. Initial production numbers will remain relatively small, with a ramp up to 15,000 units per year by 2013 or 2014.
A production version of the plug-in electric vehicle is expected to debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show.
No word on pricing, but the upcoming styish EV is slated to be available in Europe, Japan and the U.S.
10/03, 12:29 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Will deodorant help to get rid of this B.O.?
10/03, 1:38 PM
posted by:
zeeck
lol, I was thinking the same thing
10/03, 1:39 PM
posted by:
zeeck
also, this doesn’t look like a pinifarina, where is the different styling? what makes this different from everyone else? that’s what pininfarina is about
10/03, 1:48 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
Welcome a world without Andrea Pininfarina
10/03, 2:13 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
F3, I seriously just shed a tear.
10/03, 2:23 PM
posted by:
Jordan
it looks… asian. not european.
10/03, 3:07 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Oh yeah, awe inspiring stuff like this is going to clear up 3/4 billion in debt real fast. Not.
10/03, 3:09 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
B utt
…O dor
10/03, 4:52 PM
posted by:
tzu13
It looks like an Insight with a fat lip.
10/03, 9:34 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
I like it, aside from the front. It’s got some pretty neat, pleasant looking lines.
10/03, 10:04 PM
posted by:
RTT10
get of the reefer!
10/04, 11:11 AM
posted by:
maxcar
i seriously wonder how all electric vehicles will fare in europe, or many asian cities. more that half the population live in apartments and park on the street or in a lot. what, drop an extension cord out the window? only colder climate european countries like sweden, have receptacles in lots for engine block warmers.
10/05, 2:09 PM
posted by:
wallybear
maxcar: in europe (and i believe japan) some governments and utility companies are already starting to install recharging stations on the street, in garages, etc. The e-mobility Berlin project by RWE, Diamler and the German government is installing 500 charging stations in the city.
http://www.gizmag.com/e-mobility-berlin-project-to-provide-500-ev-charging-points/9984/
10/05, 3:03 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
The next mean prank:
You have 10% charge in your EV by the time you get to the mall, so you decide to use a charging station while you shop. Five minutes later, some punk kids walk by and unplug it without you knowing. You spend four hours in the mall, expecting to have a 100% charge when you come back, but instead, the charge only got to 20%, and you won’t make it home…
10/05, 3:21 PM
posted by:
maxcar
wallybear, thanks for the link. i guess that’s a start, but it’s going to take a lot more than 500 ev stations. my point is that there is a massive distribution infrastructure required to support non-homeowners and city dwellers. if the market for ev’s comes on too hot and heavy, lack of access to ev stations will self-regulate the market (”how electric vehicles will fare in europe”), and even create a negative image. just my thoughts.
10/07, 5:13 AM
posted by:
wallybear
maxcar: the obvious answer is that the number of ev stations will rise with the hot and heavy use of electric vehicles. government and city support is also critical. for a lot of cities, the benefits of ev’s in smog reduction must be enormous. not to mention the long term prospect of peak oil, price shocks, etc — although i do wonder if another extended period of relatively cheap oil will kill these projects again
10/07, 11:49 PM
posted by:
maxcar
wallybear: i too am wondering the same thing. the typical car buyer is more concerned about their pocket book than the environment and make their vehicle purchases accordingly. time will tell…