Plug-in Pininfarina set to tackle Smart

Here's a cool new city car set to create a buzz! It’s the electric-powered B0 – or B-Zero – and it’s the work of legendary Italian style house Pininfarina.

A rival to the Mercedes-built Smart,
it is powered by an electric engine, and uses hi-tech batteries along with a bank of fast-charging supercapacitors supplied by French company Ballore.

Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the four-door four-seater is tipped to start production as early as 2009, at Pininfarina’s HQ in Turin. As well as its good looks, it offers a range of never before seen technologies, including lithium-metal-polymer (LMP) batteries which can be recharged in less than four hours from a standard household plug. They also boast a range of more than 150 miles – more than lithium-ion cells. Battery life will also be boosted by solar roof panels and an automatic gearbox.

Top speed will to be limited to 80 mph, while the B0 also gets an innovative crash protection system with a cabin built to sit within the car, independent of the bodyshell. Prices should start at £4,000.