The spotlight of this year’s Frankfurt auto show was the latest breed of electric cars. Most of the car manufacturers, including the big fishes and small ones of the industry displayed at least one electric vehicle on their part. Some of them concepts, while others nearing production, but both pointed towards a bright future for electric-fuel cars. The best of the lot are the following ones mentioned below:
10. Peugeot BB1
The Peugeot BB1 comes with an insane design that makes one stunned by its design. It features two 20hp Michelin wheel-motors, mounted inside each rear-wheel. Two lithium-ion batteries are fitted which needs to be recharged after a burst for 75 miles. The BB1 will go from 0-30kmph in a respectable 2.8 seconds and will hit a top speed of 90kmph. The driver needs to use bike-like handlebars rather than the steering wheel to control it.
9. Trabant
Trabant is a concept car brought by Herpa Miniaturmodelle GmbH, a scale model car-maker from Germany. According to Herpa, it has a 64-hp electric-motor that can propel the hatchback up to 80 mph with a range of up to 155 miles. A lithium ion battery pack sits in between the car’s rear-axle and transmission tunnel. It has a snazzy design that incorporates a roof-top solar panel for battery replenishment on the go. It is a truly affordable smart, electric car.
8. Renault Zoe Z.E. Concept
Renault’s Zoe Z.E. Concept car is an eye-catching stuff. The front doors open up like scissors and the rear like a butterfly’s wings. The Zoe ZE is powered by an electric-motor that delivers 95 hp and 166 lb ft of torque. The Renault Zoe ZE can attain a top speed of 87 mph and power for 100 miles before a recharge with this motor. The retractable spoiler pops out at speed in excess of 55 mph to provide great aerodynamic-efficiency. Ultimately, the Zoe ZE is an all-electric zero-emission-vehicle that also boasts smart and appealing looks.
7. Mercedes F-Cell
The F-Cell is Mercedes-Benz’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered car. The car breaks the short distance jinx of electric cars by claiming that it can travel 250 miles on a single plug-in. The electric motor powers the F-Cell by producing 134bhp and 214lb ft of torque while returning an economy of 86.6 mpg. The hydrogen-powered, five-door hatchback is also a zero emission vehicle. Another fascinating fact about the car is the engine can start in temperatures as low as -25degrees Celsius.
6. Hyundai i-Blue
The Hyundai i-Blue is a sports car that uses third-generation hydrogen fuel cell. The i-Blue Concept is the Korean Company’s latest fuel cell technology for developing a hybrid which is green and practical at the same time. It comes in with a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid engine that is mated to a 100kw electric-motor for instantaneous acceleration. It has the grille design with lamps pulled back over the top-edge of the fenders. The roof even features solar panels for recharging on the move.
5. Lexus LF-CH
The LF-CH is a new hybrid-hatchback concept from Lexus. It is claimed as a BMW 1 series which is a hybrid. The new LF-CH hatch’s list of competitors also includes Audi A3 and Volvo C30. The ‘LF’ designation represents the car’s concept status and ‘CH’ denotes the car’s C-segment sizing with hybrid power-train. The interior boasts satellite navigation screen in the centre of the dash and two large instrument dials in front of the driver, keeping the distracting elements to a minimum. The LF-CH deploys itself as a fume-free-motoring system for the masses.
4. Citroen REVOLTe
Citroen Revolte is a compact car that combines the topmost luxury with a fashionable fun. It is a reviewed version of Citroen 2CV. The Revolte gets power from a rechargeable, hybrid drivetrain that includes a small capacity combustion engine combined with an electric-motor. A battery supplying recharges electric motor and both power trains are able to drive the wheels. The French concept car has no CO2 emission and also features a quiet ride with a high level of comfort. It also features three seats, rear-hinged doors and a foldable, solar-powered roof.
3. VW L1
Volkswagen L1 is an electric car with a diesel engine as a back-up. The German automaker claims the concept-car will become the world’s most fuel-efficient car when it will be launched in 2013. It weighs a meagre 380kg and has a seating capacity of two passengers. VW L1 Hybrid has an innovative shape that resembles a bullet-jet and also its body parts are integrated. Its diesel-electric hybrid-engine achieves a whopping 157.8 mpg and races out at 100 mph. The L1 also has impressive 416 miles driving range which beats plug-in competitors.
2. BMW VisionED
BMW’s Vision Efficient Dynamics is a fast and frugal concept car. It is a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that emits a meagre 99g/km of carbon emissions. It generates 163 hp with peak torque of 214 lb ft and speeds 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds. One of its two electric motors powers the front wheels and the other the rears. BMW claims it has remarkably low fuel consumption scoring 62.6 miles per gallon. Its notable feature is the intelligent suspension which adjusts the dampers according to the road on which you are driving.
1. Audi e-Tron
Audi e-Tron was one of the biggest surprises of the show. The concept car is an electric version of Audi’s R8 V12 TDI super car. The new e-tron packs four electric-motors and a lithium-ion battery package with a fair 313 hp but a whopping 3319 lb-ft of torque. It rises from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, and the e-tron’s a massive amount of twist aids rolling acceleration from 37 to 75 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The battery pack provides an energy content of 42.4 kWh to allow a range of 155 miles. It is also well designed and has a high level of interior comfort.
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