Peugeot looks toward a future of fuel-efficient, all-weather scooters replacing cars for short, urban jaunts

Peugeot Hymotion3 Compressor Concept The Peugeot Hymotion3 Compressor Concept combines hybrid technology, advanced scooter suspension developments and protection from the elements. It's also three-wheel drive? Peugeot

Quick, name a car with three-wheel drive. Okay, trick question; this isn't quite a car, but Peugeot's idea of a fuel-efficient all-weather runabout. The HYmotion3 Compressor Concept foresees a hybrid vehicle in more ways than one: part gasoline-, part electric-powered; part car, part scooter. The French automaker says it offers the stability of a trike with the protection of a safety cell similar to that which supports occupants of a Smart car.

Like a Toyota Prius, it can run in electric-only mode at low speeds, by way of front-mounted, in-wheel hub motors, each producing up to four horsepower. The main power source is a supercharged 125cc engine producing 20 horsepower. In total, the powerplants could provide the performance equivalent of a 400cc motorcycle. Traditional hybrid-drive accoutrements include regenerative braking, a stop-start engine function, and a mileage boost, in this case a projected maximum of 118 mpg. But will Peugeot, one of the largest scooter makers in Europe, build it for mass consumption? Ask someone from the future.

Want to keep track of the latest concept cars, automotive innovations, and more? Subscribe to Popular Science and enter to win $5,000!

13 Comments

can't mud or rain come up from the sides

To solve the problem of rain or mud coming thru the sides, maybe additional panels could be put in the side that could be similar to a convertible's roof. It could be made out of tarpaulin that could be easily put in place whenever it rains to protect the rider from the elements.

However, putting that in place would mean that it's gonna be "warm" inside. Does that have airconditioning in place? And vice - versa for snowy conditions maybe a heater could also be provided. Would this consume too much power that the "cycle" would use for "moving" instead?

Looks nice, compact and sleek. With the rising prices of oil, scooters like that could be the new "trend". Will they mass produce it in the near future? Opens up a lot of possibilities for possible uses not only limited to driving on a highway....

Maybe a plan to bypass the crah tests etc. required for cars.

As is, don't know that it would be much better in the elements than a regular bike. Didn't see any wipers, and in my experience, bike windshields fog up in the rain .

Don't think that snow and cold would be much of a treat either.

this thing is so cool looking. but how would it protect u from the snow and rain comming the sides? they need to figure that out.
WHOO HOO

z

Anyone ever ridden' a scooter or motorcycle in the snow? Even most bike enthusiasts haven't. That's because they suck in poor traction situations. A rear wheel drive sports car is better off than a bike in the snow/ ice. Granted, this one is front wheel drive but based on weight and only one rear wheel in the back, odds are good that this would be a seasonal ride, just like the other bikes and scooters out there. BMW already has a "all weather" bike out that you see all over Europe. It looks very similar to this but with only one wheel up front. The idea of this being a "hybrid" is slick though. That alone could convince someone that isn't sold on the whole "hybrid car" thing to go for one of these as a seasonal commuter if it is affordable.

mwaahb

from cairo, cairo

New Page 2

اون لاين نت,موقع
اون لاين,شبكة اون لاين,شبكة
اون لاين,منتديات اون لاين للبرامج,افلام
اون لاين,منتديات اون لاين للافلام,العاب
اون لاين,منتديات اون لاين للالعاب,مركز
العاب اون لاين,العاب فلاشية اون
لاين.العاب بنات فلاشية,اغاني اون لاين,منتديات
اون لاين للاغاني,يوتيوب اون لاين,شاهد
اون لاين,منتديات,بيع وشراء اون لاين,تجارة
اون لاين,كليبات اون لاين,منتديات
اون لاين للكليبات.دردشة اون لاين,شات
اون لاين,شباب اون لاين,بنات
اون لاين,دليل اون لاين للمواقع,برامج
اون لاين,اون لاين ماسنجر,برامج ماسنجر,رقص
شرقي,فضائح الفنانات العرب,صور
فنانات وجميلات عرب,برامج,برامج,برامج,برامج,افلام
عربية,افلام اجنبية,رقص
شرقي,حوادث وجرائم واغتصاب,منتديات,منتديات,منتديات,منتديات,العاب
كمبيوتر,ترافيان,لعبة
كونكر اون لاين

Motorcyclists understand the aerodynamics involved, especially rain and wheel splash. In motion, the air around the bike (to the front) forms a large bubble that water and even mud cannot penetrate. I have ridden in the rain with nothing but a windscreen and walked away with nearly dry pants and jacket.

ericalm

from North Hollywood, CA

This is a great idea whose time has come, the evolution of the BMW C1 from several years ago. It will not be an all-weather rider, though—not any more than most motorcycles or other scooters. I've ridden the Piaggio MP3 and fishtailed the rear wheel in a puddle (I did, howver, recover and straighten much faster and easier than I would have on a 2-wheeled vehicle). This will have many of the same skidding/sliding vulnerabilities of most 2 wheelers. When it comes to motorcycles and scooters, riding in any wet weather is really more a function of rider skills than vehicle specs.

3-wheeled cars? There are several: the Aptera; the Carver/Venture One (a fully-enclosed tilting 3-wheeler that's part motorcycle/part car; goes into production next year); the Tango Trike; the Zap Xebra; several electric/hybrid concept vehicles; the Messerschmitt Kabinenroller, some BMW Isettas and other vintage microcars.

Depending on specs and state laws some, like the Venture One and Tango are classified as motorcycles. There's also some grey area and loopholes regarding licensing and helmet use. Right now, under CA law, the Piaggio Hymotion3 may not require a motorcycle license to operate (several sources, including some dealers, have said this is the case for the Piaggio MP3s and CanAm Spyders).

poiwe_11

from cabuyao, laguna

♥jc♥ wow thats astig mean great wish i could hav one

This is the model for all the senior Harley riders that cant hold their bikes up anymore. Yee haw Ride Hard Live Long - Legends Never Die!!!

billdale

from Los Angeles, CA

To uildrawde, aw3se4 and others that questioned its weatherability and lack of windshield wipers: it has to be evaluated on its own merits.

As Mexjewel states, when riding it is its own bubble, and is relatively immune to wind, rain, and mud; its windscreen would be no less effective than those on motorcycles today. With three wheels, you would not have to put your feet out when you stop at red lights, and it has overhead protection from the rain. But if you insist on the comforts and warmth of a car, get a car: this is a vehicle for someone more adventurous.

this "thing" is very interesting looking but looks like it is put to better use in the summer time and not used for snowy,rainy,cold weather. && what if you have someone with you where are they to sit? doesnt look like they would have much room to ride...

For the all weather vehicle. not so great, rain could come through the sides. Why dont they make some external doors on the sides. Like suicide doors maybe. But if they didnt add external doors, talk about some major roadburn. Other than that, I would buy it.

Popular Tags

Regular Features



Download Our iPhone App

Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone with full articles, images and offline viewing



Follow Us On Twitter

Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed



Become a Fan On Facebook

Share links with friends, comment on stories and more


December 2009: Best of What's New

In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.

Check out the best of what's new here.

Popular Science Photo Pool


Share your photos in the Pop Sci pool at www.flickr.com!
tags_sprite.png
POP_embeddedForm_cover_May09.jpg