October 14, 2004

Volvo unveils three-seater electric car


Shanghai, China - Volvo unveiled its 3CC prototype at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai. Under the hood is an electric powertrain that propels the Volvo 3CC to a governed top speed of over 135 km/h (85 mph) and delivers zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration in approximately ten seconds - with zero emissions.

The Volvo 3CC has a unique two-plus-one configuration, providing seating for two adults in the front and a unique rear seat solution for an additional adult or two children.

"With the Volvo 3CC, Volvo Cars is pioneering a new way of looking at mobility so future generations can enjoy the same freedoms the car has given my generation. We believe it is necessary to show new ways to reduce pollution and congestion," says Lars Erik Lundin, Vice President & General Manager of the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center VMCC.

The electric power comes from lithium-ion cells identical to those used in modern laptop computers that are packaged in the thin sandwich floor. With a potential driving range of over 300 km (180 miles) under certain driving conditions, the torque-to-weight ratio is roughly comparable to the powerful T5 model, but available over 0 - 3500 rpm. In typical driving conditions, about 20 percent of the energy can be recovered by regenerative braking.

"The double floor used to house the electric energy storage makes the concept future-proof in that the layout can be adapted for the most appropriate powertrain in the future, whether it be petrol, diesel, biogas, or hybrid electric," explained Ichiro Sugioka, Science Officer at VMCC in California. "In Shanghai, we are demonstrating the electric powertrain, one of the most challenging to package into a vehicle, to highlight its potential where there is abundance of renewable energy that can be converted to electricity."


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Rear = hideous.

Wheels = blatant SSR GT1 copies

 

The front is really sweet. That *** end is just offensive and makes Volvo look stupid. With all the flack Honda got with the Insight coupled with Volvo's unique styles, you'd think they'd manage a much nicer design. Oh well.

Sucks you gotta plug this one in tho. I like the hybrid's lower maintenance and longer range which of course comes at a cost of and fuel and emissions.

 

Ewwww!!!! That a$$ got to go The front looks like the new Audi in iRobot.
They should've just widen the back a little to make room for one more passenger.

 

my reaction:

document loaded and i saw the first picture. "WOW! that's one good lookin' electric car."

scrolled down and saw the second picture: "WHOA what did they do to the back end?!!?!@#%$@"


as long as you only let people look at the front, you'll be all set.

 

the back seat seems pretty kool to sit in. just the outside looks funny. something different from other cars, but yea, it's hella ugly.

 

You just want to pick that thing up and insert the rear into one of those building block games you had as a child with the round pegs and square holes

 

Only the front end looks good.