Dodge ZEO Concept: Electric Performance
Motoring Channel Staff - 15/January/2007
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Dodge ZEO Concept
The rear-wheel drive Dodge ZEO concept
is capable of reaching more than 200km/h
The 200kW electric motor that drives the rear
wheels propels the ZEO from 0-100km/h in 5.8 secs
Note the large grey boxes underneath the car,
they are the Lithium-ion (li-ion) battery packs
The sports cars of the future will most
likely all be driven by electric energy
Dodge included vertically opening doors
on the ZEO concept for added visual impact
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Detroit, America —
Dodge exhibited what is one of the more intriguing concept cars at the
2008 Detroit Motor Show, when it unveiled the ZEO concept car. As
the American car maker explains, ZEO stands for Zero Emissions
Operation. The cool looking 4-seater sports car looks as though it was
built for high speed driving and intense cornering, normally the
reserve of thirsty petrol powered cars. In actual fact this rear-wheel drive sportster it is propelled by a strong 200kW (268hp) electric motor.
But don't think that this diminishes it's performance goals. It can
still sprint from zero to 100km/h in around 5.8 seconds - not too far
off the iconic Subaru WRX's pace. It has a top speed of 209km/h (130mph) and is claimed to complete the standing ¼ mile in 11.0 seconds flat, which is remarkably quick. "The Dodge ZEO concept is designed to break the paradigm
of what an electric car should look like," said Bill Zheng, the Dodge ZEO's chief exterior designer. "An electric car can be as expressive as
any gasoline-powered vehicle. The Dodge ZEO concept proves that point –
and then some," says Zheng. The
Dodge ZEO concept also gets scissor-hinged doors, and all the
safety features you'd expect of a modern day mid-level sports car. One
of the reasons Dodge built the ZEO concept was to highlight that
'hybrid' and 'electric' power doesn't have to equate to dull and boring
Prius-like cars. It's a rear-wheel drive sports car with aggressive
styling, and like many other car makers Dodge is trying to show that
the new era of electric vehicles won't necessarily be dull and boring. The
bright orange colour scheme, the ridiculously large 23-inch alloy
wheels, and the muscular styling were all designed to show the world
that an electric car can still be highly desirable. Dodge believes that enthusiasts will warm to the ZEO concept. People who like this concept want to be environmentally responsible, they also exhibit a "need for speed."
The biggest problem facing modern day electric cars is that their
range is still fairly limited due to the slow evolution of battery technology, which car
companies believe will hinder sales. The theory goes that if it can't drive interstate or across borders, then people won't want it. Dodge
claims the new ZEO concept has a range of "at least" 250 miles, which
is about 400 kilometres, which is considered a bare minimum cruising
range. Specifications:
Vehicle Type
Battery Electric Vehicle,
performance sedan
2+2 passenger seating Weight and Dimensions
Weight 1542kg (3400 lbs.)
Length 4390mm
Height 1290mm
Width 1944mm
Wheelbase 2792mm
Turn circle 12.2m
Powertrain and Suspension
Layout Rear wheel drive
Motor Single electric
Power: 200kW (268 hp)
Regenerative braking
Battery 64 kWh Li-ion battery pack
Suspension Front – SLA
Rear – SLA Wheels and Tyres
Tyre size front P225/40 R23
Tyre size rear P255/40 R23
Color Scheme
Exterior Orange Metallic
Interior Super White Performance
0-96km/h 5.7 seconds
Standing ¼ mile 11.0 seconds
Top speed 209km/h (130mph)
All-electric range 400km (250 miles)
Equivalent mpg 120 mpg
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