Peugeot is well represented in the pioneering days of the automobile then and now, Featuring over 23 cars in the RAC Future Car Challenge and London to Brighton Run.
Peugeot is impressively featuring over 17 historic Peugeots in the Annual RAC London to Brighton Veteran Car run. Something I watched as a young lad many years ago. Watching the steam rise from those exhausted early cars that now have waited too long for the evolution of the electric car.
As the Future of Electric and alternative fuel vehicles becomes a reality – The New event in its second year follows the 33 old pioneers that set off on Saturday 14th November 1886 from the Metropole Hotel London onward to the Metropole Hotel Brighton. The route for the Future Cars runs in reverse leaving Brighton’s Madeira Drive to then join the veteran and vintage cars for the Regent Street Motor Show.
Todays car industry faces a new challenge as we look towards new technology and lower emissions for our driving. The Royal Automobile Club of Pall Mall London, is keen that the Future Car Challenge provides a unique platform for today’s motoring pioneers to prove and promote their new-energy vehicles for the future. The London to Brighton Run is the longest running car event in history.
Peugeot is entering 3 pairs of the latest Peugeot ‘environmental’ cars into the 2011 Future Car Challenge and I am excited to represent Peugeot in an iOn.
[portfolio_slideshow]Two all-electric Peugeot iOn cars are entered, one driven by Scott Penny, the recent winner of the RAC Green Grand Prix and the other by journalist Jonathan Humphrey (that’ll be me) of Drive.co.uk. The iOn’s range of 93miles is in itself a challenge for the sixty mile event and I am up for the challenge. The car is the TopGear tested EV that was driven by James May in Lincoln.
All challenging are Two micro-hybrid Peugeot 508 Saloon with e-HDi (the latest-generation Stop & Start System) one driven by former World F1 Champion Damon Hill and the other by journalist Hannah MacMurray from Green Car Design Ltd. I did drive this car at the Green Grand Prix but for me the funky EVs are more fun.
Finally Peugeot are entering the LHD Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4. An impressive family vehicle which I drove in the Green Grand Prix. The Hybrid 4 is the world’s first diesel electric hybrid and marks a new milestone in technology advancement. One car is being driven by event sponsors Bosch develpoers of the electric motor rear axle and the second by What Car? Magazine, who awarded the 3008 their Car of the Year in 2010, and subsequently their ‘Best Alternative-fuel and SUV’ in their 2011 Green Awards.
The Event is worth watching as these cars become more popular. Visit the RAC Future Car Challenge Website HERE