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September 8, 2004
2004 Peugeot Quark Concept
by Justin Couture , Canadian Auto Press
Is the Quark a concept car or the coolest ATV to ever grace the planet? Whatever, it definitely will be the craziest vehicle to be displayed at this year's Paris motor show, concept or otherwise, when the doors open later this month.
It's not a Franco Sbarro creation, or something equally esoteric that might show up at the Tokyo auto show for instance, but rather the Quark comes from French carmaker Peugeot. The name does have a science-fiction ring to it, mind you, and is perfectly suited to this technologically advanced hydrogen fuel-cell demonstration.
It's aggressive for sure, a bit on the wild side and definitely "in-your-face" enough to capture the collective imagination of show goers, in a similar way in which Dodge stole the 2003 Detroit auto show with its outrageous V10 Viper-powered Tomahawk motorcycle. What's most important and completely alien from the Tomahawk, of course, is the Quark's eco-friendly nature.
Truly, with its minimalist urban transportation for two twist, Peugeot has blurred the boundaries of the crossover genre by splicing the DNA of an off-road ATV together with the suspension system, brakes and driveline of a sports car.
In terms of size, the 2.38 meter (93.7 in.) long Quark is shorter than the world's smallest smart fortwo, however it's much larger than a regular ATV made all the more obvious by its gargantuan 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in custom-made Michelin rubber.
Unlike a standard all terrain vehicle, this jumbo-sized Peugeot has no intentions of taking its two riders into deep backwoods forests. It does, however, have a load-carrying capacity of 140 kg (309 lb) on top of its two person occupancy, which should be ample for bringing a few shopping bags home from the market provided you can find a place to store them in the slim, motorcycle-inspired body.
The Quark is driven much the same way you would drive a scooter or motorcycle, with controls for steering, braking and throttle actuated via handlebars, but unlike the simplistic two- and four-wheelers, steering is power-assisted.
Powering the Quark is not one or two, but four electric motors located on each wheel's hub. The motors are fed power through a complex hydrogen fuel-cell system developed by Montreal-based hybrid-specialist TM4. The benefit of electric power isn't in horsepower, with each wheel-mounted unit only peaking at 10 with continuous output only 3.4, for a peak total of 40 hp. Torque is what really moves the Quark, its engines featuring a constant surge of 74 lb-ft with a peak of 295 lb-ft, and that from zero to redline. This allows it to jump to 50 km/h from a standstill in 6.5 seconds, before topping out at 110 km/h. Not bad at all.
The body and appearance of the Quark concept has been structured around a central I-Beam chassis with a car-like double-wishbone suspension system mounted front and rear. Ground clearance is minimal, and off-roading capabilities are further restricted by road-biased springs and dampers with little travel. The additional width of the central chassis has allowed Peugeot's stylists to give the Quark a look similar to their road-going cars. Cat's eyes headlamps, which stretch back over the hood, and a massive mouth-like grille all contribute to an unmistakable identity.
Although the Quark features the latest fuel-cell technology, with that comes additional weight from the electric motors and associated complex on-board computer equipment. Fortunately its lightweight body compensates for the added poundage. This roofless and door-less featherweight tips the scales at just 425 kg (937 lbs).
Being that the Quark was designed as an inner-city alternative to a car its range was reigned in to vary between 100 and 130 km (62 to 81 miles), depending on driving style. As with any open-bodied vehicle without seatbelts, proper protection must be worn: in this case helmets, riding boots and leathers.
As logical as the Quark may seem to some, it's one hundred percent unlikely that it will ever be built. The Quark is simply Peugeot's creative way of showing the world that it is hot on the trail of hydrogen power. As for the design itself, Peugeot may adopt some styling cues for its future scooters and lightweight two-wheelers. If there's one thing to be learned from the Quark that's certain, it's that the French are not just dreaming.
Specifications:
- Body Type: ATV-style convertible
- Layout: quad-electric motor, AWD
- Engine: 40 hp, 74 lb-ft torque total output electric motors
- Brakes: disc/disc, ABS, EBD
- Seating Capacity: 2
- Payload: 140 kg (309 lbs)
- Range: 100-130 km (62-81 miles)
- Curb Weight: 425 kg (937 lbs)
