Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Europe/EU, Paris Motor Show
Paris 2008: Pininfarina and Bolloré debut the B0 (B Zero) production electric car
Pininfarina B0 (B Zero)
While we've known for some time that an electric car would be forthcoming from the partnership between the fabled firm of Pininfarina and the French industrial giant Bolloré, the two companies have avoided any embarrassing premature publication of photos until the predetermined moment at the Paris Motor Show. Any speculation that the final product resulting from the French-Italian marriage might be beautiful but impractical or just plain
And sweet it is! After thousands of miles of testing with the BlueCar platform, the companies have refined that technology in this new design and hit all of their performance benchmarks including a 153-mile range and a top governed speed of 80 Mph. Although the advanced solar panels built into the roof and hood are quick to catch the eye with their high tech appearance, the real secret weapon in this city car is the lithium polymer "LMP" battery matched up with a supercapacitor. The elegant energy storage component not only allows for excellent regenerative braking and acceleration capabilities but also extends the life of the battery. It is stressed that the B0 is not a concept car or a prototype but an actual production model that will be built in Turin by the end of 2009. The Pininfarina-branded B0 is dedicated to the memory of Andrea Pininfarina who was a big believer in this project.
Gallery: Pininfarina B0
[Source: Pininfarina]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Turbofrog 2:17PM (10/03/2008)
This is pretty incredible if it can actually happen.
I do wonder about the costs, though. The Volt has GM's mass-manufacturing leverage behind it and has a battery pack with half the capacity (albeit with the additional complexity of an range-extending mechanism), and may cost up to $40K. The Volt also has a little bit more consumer flare, since it doesn't look quite as much like a sub-compact commuter.
I like the looks of this, but it doesn't seem like the kind of car people would spend $50K on.
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s10 5:24PM (10/03/2008)
GM has all the balast a fresh new company doesn't have..
that's why new companies can and will build electric cars
before the big car makers can. Small producers have much less overhead costs because they start from scratch.. big companies have to restructure drastically.
This car is probably not coming to the US, it might be more expensive than the VOLT, if compared to the Volt's US price... but remember that also the VOLT will be much more expensive in Europe.
damian 2:19PM (10/03/2008)
As Domenick said: SWEEEET
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Dave 2:20PM (10/03/2008)
Wow, nice specs. Costs? Anyone know if there's a chance in hell of this coming to the States?
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Mark B 2:24PM (10/03/2008)
This sounds promising, hopefully the pricing will be reasonable. Any idea what territories it will be released to?
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Brent 2:24PM (10/03/2008)
LOL @ the emblem covering some solar cells.
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Chris M 10:56PM (10/04/2008)
You're right, but that is a minor design blunder that is easily fixed. Just move the emblem up about 20 cm should do it.
The rest of the design is great. It is a good balance of performance, range, and cost.
I suspect that the solar panels will be an extra cost option, as it doesn't add that much power but it does add extra cost.
BLT 11:41AM (10/09/2008)
LOL...right...
Seen this one on the top of the roof ?
http://www.autoblog.it/galleria/parigi-live-2008-lo-stand-pininfarina/12
I guess they'll have to redesign these details...
paulwesterberg 2:56PM (10/03/2008)
Looks great, they only problem is that I may have to move to Europe in order to get one.
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Scott K. 3:07PM (10/03/2008)
Mmmm... B-O. Oh wait, that's not right...
I like it. Too bad none of us Americans will ever get a chance to even think about buying it.
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Chris M 11:00PM (10/04/2008)
Yeah, that name is a bit embarrassing in English speaking countries. Maybe they can change it to "B00", as it is sure to scare the oil companies!
Domenick Yoney 11:52PM (10/04/2008)
Had they asked, I would have suggested the null symbol so that you could still say B Zero without any of the connotations.
BØ
BLT 11:41AM (10/09/2008)
It,s 'B-Zero' indeed. Hopefully ;)
Piergiorgio 3:49PM (10/03/2008)
Scott K. You will... The car will be available in Europe, USA and Japan in 2010. The price should be around 20000 € as reported from some press sources here in Italy
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paulwesterberg 11:28AM (10/06/2008)
$27k US, I would definitely buy one if it were available here.
tchamp 1:52PM (10/07/2008)
Can someone post a source/link that verifies the plans on this car coming to the US?
Diffrunt 4:02PM (10/03/2008)
Subtle beauty, except the blinding tailights.
Nothing like thoroly , quietly, thinking thru .
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Rick 7:49PM (10/03/2008)
I like it. It's like an agressive iMev.
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Tim 9:16AM (10/04/2008)
BEAUTIFUL!!
How much?
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Oli4K 3:02PM (10/05/2008)
Boy am I glad that I already live in Europe. And that I have a year to get some cash together :)
But I do hope the top speed will be increasesd just a little. Would be nice to do some highway driving on my daily commute without having to drive between lorries and elderly people.
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