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Exagon: the future of French motoring? (3)

2011-04-14 12:07

Exagon Electric GT at Top Marques Monaco

From Citroën to Renault, Michelin to the Grand Prix, the French have a long and well-respected automotive history. And now they are about to make waves in the new field of electric luxury motoring.

The Furtive-eGT is an electric car which is both eco-friendly and a high-level performer. Its creators, Exagon Motors, have collaborated with Michelin and Siemens to create a vehicle which they hope will return a sense of 'French flair' to prestige automobiles.



Aerodynamic efficiency is of the essence in a design that could well become a modern classic, but belying its sporty looks this is a spacious full-bodied 2+2 which can easily fit 4 passengers and their luggage in its custom leather interior. But it's underneath the bonnet that the real beauty lies.

In common with the 21st century's new breed of electric supercars, this battery-driven marvel delivers a truly powerful performance, accelerating from 0-60 in an astonishing 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 180mph achieved in almost complete silence. Twin liquid-cooled motors by Siemens and latest-generation lithium-ion batteries by Saft provide 50 kWh over a life cycle of approximately ten years (or 3,000 charging cycles). But here's the good bit. Each cycle allows the car to run for 250 miles depending on usage, and further 250 if you have a full petrol tank.

Petrol? I thought you said electric? Well, now, this really is interesting. Rather than a predominantly petrol car with electric motor assist kicking in from time to time, this motor turns the concept on its head: drive is predominantly from the electric motors, with the petrol joining in optionally to extend the range of the car.



If you want to see more of the Exagon Furtive-eGT, come along to Top Marques Monaco all this week at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.