The Peugeot Bobslid Concept: An Electric Vision Ahead of Its Time
Electric Imagination - At the turn of the millennium, when urban mobility was still dominated by compact hatchbacks and early hybrids, Peugeot chose a far more playful route to imagine the future. In 2000, the brand introduced a series of experimental vehicles known asthe “City Toyz,” each designed to question how city cars should look, feel, and behave.
The Peugeot Bobslid was conceived as a three-seat electric vehicle with an architecture unlike anything on the road at the time. (Picture from: Story-Cars)
Among the Kart Up, VrooMster, and e-Doll, one concept stood out as the most radical expression of that vision: the Peugeot Bobslid. Rather than treating transportation as a purely practical task, the Bobslid reframed driving as an experience shaped by emotion, creativity, and technology. Created by the designers and engineers at Peugeot’s Style Centre, the Bobslidwas conceived as a three-seat electric vehicle with an architecture unlike anything on the road at the time.
The Peugeot Bobslid was conceived as a three-seat electric vehicle with an architecture unlike anything on the road at the time. (Picture from: Story-Cars)
Its structure revolved around a carbon-fiber bathtub girder that formed the core of the car, combining strength with minimal weight. Inside, three seats were arranged in line and could be adjusted longitudinally, allowing flexibility in how the cabin was used. A generous storage area complemented the layout, while a full glass roof tilted upward to provide access, reinforcing the concept’s open and futuristic character. The interior design felt closer to a design object than a conventional cockpit, emphasizing space, light, and simplicity.
The Peugeot Bobslid structure revolved around a carbon-fiber bathtub girder that formed the core of the car, combining strength with minimal weight. (Picture from: Story-Cars)
Technologically, the Bobslidpushed electric vehicle design far beyond early-2000s expectations. It featured a four-wheel-drive configuration powered by an unusual system: each wheel was driven by ten compact electric motors rated at 500 watts each. This meant a total of forty motors delivering a combined output of 20 kW. Instead of using a traditional axle, the motors were distributed evenly around the wheel, with their gears permanently meshing with the inner toothed surface of the wheel rim. This approach eliminated conventional mechanical linkages and highlighted Peugeot’s willingness to rethink automotive engineering from the ground up.
The Peugeot Bobslid eliminated the steering wheel entirely, relying on varying wheel speeds and two lever-style controls, much like those used in tanks or heavy machinery, to guide its direction. (Picture from: Story-Cars)
The driving interface was just as unconventional as the powertrain. The Bobslidhad no steering wheel at all. Directional control was achieved by varying the rotational speed of each wheel, and the driver guided the vehicle using two levers, similar to the controls of a tank or heavy machinery. This joystick-based system gave the concept its name and reinforced its experimental nature. Adding to its distinctive stance, the wheel dimensions were deliberately asymmetrical: the rear wheels measured 730 mm in diameter, while the front wheels were smaller at 560 mm, a choice that enhanced maneuverability and gave the vehicle a visually dynamic posture. | fy8ZZr2nEz8 | o6bd5VXGRE0 |
Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2000, the Peugeot Bobslid Concept now feels remarkably aligned with today’s conversations around electric mobility, drive-by-wire systems, and alternative vehicle layouts. While it was never intended for production, its ideas anticipated many themes that would later define modern EV development, from distributed electric motors to unconventional interiors and control systems. More than two decades later, the Bobslid remains a vivid reminder that innovation often begins not with market demands, but with the courage to imagine driving as something joyful, expressive, and boldly different. *** [EKA [01112012] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | STORY-CARS ]
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The Peugeot Bobslid Concept: An Electric Vision Ahead of Its Time
Among the Kart Up, VrooMster, and e-Doll, one concept stood out as the most radical expression of that vision: the Peugeot Bobslid. Rather than treating transportation as a purely practical task, the Bobslid reframed driving as an experience shaped by emotion, creativity, and technology. Created by the designers and engineers at Peugeot’s Style Centre, the Bobslid was conceived as a three-seat electric vehicle with an architecture unlike anything on the road at the time. 
The driving interface was just as unconventional as the powertrain. The Bobslid had no steering wheel at all. Directional control was achieved by varying the rotational speed of each wheel, and the driver guided the vehicle using two levers, similar to the controls of a tank or heavy machinery. This joystick-based system gave the concept its name and reinforced its experimental nature. Adding to its distinctive stance, the wheel dimensions were deliberately asymmetrical: the rear wheels measured 730 mm in diameter, while the front wheels were smaller at 560 mm, a choice that enhanced maneuverability and gave the vehicle a visually dynamic posture. | fy8ZZr2nEz8 | o6bd5VXGRE0 |
Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2000, the Peugeot Bobslid Concept now feels remarkably aligned with today’s conversations around electric mobility, drive-by-wire systems, and alternative vehicle layouts. While it was never intended for production, its ideas anticipated many themes that would later define modern EV development, from distributed electric motors to unconventional interiors and control systems. More than two decades later, the Bobslid remains a vivid reminder that innovation often begins not with market demands, but with the courage to imagine driving as something joyful, expressive, and boldly different. *** [EKA [01112012] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | STORY-CARS ]
