Peugeot has peeled the top off their Hybrid3 concept to reveal an open-air scooter with three wheels -- and three separate motors to power them.
Like an automotive Centaur, the Hybrid3 Evolution is the automaker's latest attempt at bridging the gap between car and scooter for the benefit of urban motorists. "The architecture of the HYbrid3 Evolution is based on the concept of three wheels for stability, safety and maximum driveability," Peugeot said in a statement. "Its width of 82 cm [2.7 feet] allows it to adapt to urban traffic while still retaining the efficiency of a two-wheeler."
While previous hybrid three-wheelers from Peugeot had car-like capsules, the Hybrid3 is set to debut at the Milan International Cycle and Motorbike Show like a sunbather in St. Tropez: sans top.
Peugeot's trike achieves hybrid status with two electric motors driving the front wheels and a gasoline engine driving the rear. There's no mechanical connection between the electric and gas drivetrains, and regenerative braking charges the lithium ion batteries. Peugeot says the trike is capable of 117 mpg and has an electric-only range of about six miles.
"When driven in electric-only mode, the HYbrid3 Evolution is the perfect 'good citizen', as it then produces no CO2 emissions whatsoever and becomes silent," Peugeot said. A silent three-wheeler zipping down crowded city streets? What could possibly go wrong?
The drivetrain of the Hybrid3 was engineered by Peugeot Motorcycles, while Automobiles Peugeot was responsible for the exterior design. While that mashup makes us wonder what kind of creations would come out of a joint venture between Mitsubishi Motors and Mitsubishi televisions, the combination was an attempt to foster future development. "The Marque could for example make it available in different forms with different naturally-aspirated engines, different electric solutions and on any type of vehicle, even the smallest models," Peugeot said.
We're looking forward to seeing what combinations they can dream up -- even if we don't get to see them in the U.S.
Photo: Peugeot.
