News – Peugeot unveils its three-wheeler and its new Satelis – Metropolis Project: the ultimate concept

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Peugeot unveils its three-wheeler and its new Satelis

News - Peugeot unveils its three-wheeler and its new Satelis - Metropolis Project: the ultimate concept

The Metropolis Project announces the arrival of the Peugeot three-wheeler, a scooter that will go in search of the Piaggio MP3 LTs, which have so far remained solitary in this market segment. The new version of the Satelis accompanies it: the Lion is working hard !

Metropolis Project: the ultimate concept

"Drawing on more than a century of experience on 2 and 4 wheels, who better than Peugeot could give birth to such a vehicle ?, pretends to question the French manufacturer: "Who better than Peugeot to understand both the needs of motorists and two-wheeler aficionados in order to offer the best possible synthesis? Who better than Peugeot to shape tomorrow’s mobility today ?"…

Never two without three…

The Metropolis Project is already the third concept of three-wheeler that Peugeot Scooter serves us … Fortunately, the "project" presented this year in Milan has been completed and the manufacturer told us that the scooter would be marketed at the end of 2012. The year last, Honda unveiled its Crosstourer and Integra (then called "New Mid"), finally marketed as is or almost in 2012! A method which puts pressure on competitors, creates a "buzz" in the press and arouses expectations among customers … But with a double edge !

So many questions that the Site will not venture to answer … No more than this one: "who would have thought that the manufacturers would leave Piaggio to parade alone for so long on the juicy three-wheeler sector in France, as they let Yamaha dominate the segment of maxi scooters or Kawa that of roadsters 600 750/800 ?"…

Because for two years now, the market of maxi three-wheel scooters accessible to motorists – the MP3 LT – has represented substantial volumes in France: nearly 14,000 units in 2009 and another 11,500 last year (read our) !

From the 2008 Auto Show at Porte de Versailles, Peugeot unveiled its vision of three-wheelers with the, real missing link between Mandeure’s two-wheelers and Sochaux’s four-wheelers…

A year later, at the Milan Motorcycle Show, the Lion brand presented a new concept, this time called, a sort of HYmotion3 still hybrid but without a roof..

And last year, more focused on promoting its electric scooters, Peugeot asked us to wait nicely until the 2011 Milan Motor Show to discover the final version of the ultimate concept of its three-wheeler: the Metropolis Project. !

First observation: unlike previous projects, this one is powered by a single heat engine: "the all-new 400i Peugeot liquid-cooled engine developing 35 hp and a torque of 38 Nm", specifies Peugeot Scooters which could not have matched the performance of the MP3 400 LT better: 34 hp and 37.6 Nm !

"We are working on hybrid engines, but the priority demanded by the market remains thermal engines.", remarks Frederic Bart, press manager of Peugeot Scooters.

Still according to the manufacturer, despite its imposing size and empty weight of 258 kg, the Metropolis "flirts with the 150 km / h peak and is as swift or almost solo as in duo".

In terms of handling, this Peugeot promises to be at least as good as the MP3, since its "Twin Tilting Wheels" (or TTW) front axle is "composed of a deformable double-triangulation parallelogram whose architecture allows its center of gravity to be lowered and the masses to be better centered"… So understand" better "than the Piaggio system, of course !

"The design of the suspension elements in die-cast aluminum also offers a double advantage: additional rigidity on the one hand and a reduction in unsprung masses which lighten the steering and facilitate handling.", adds the French brand.

Like the Italian "Roll Lock", a front axle locking system can be triggered at very low speed, thus stabilizing the large scooter on its own and preventing even lazy people from having to set foot on the ground..

Braking is entrusted to two front discs of 200 mm and a rear of 240 (against 3 x 240 on the Piaggio). It should be noted that the whole is ordered in full, "for more efficiency and according to the Peugeot braking philosophy, by the left lever".

In order to comply with the legislation relating to motor tricycles, the Metropolis cannot ignore the pedal which also controls full front-rear braking. Unfortunately, like the hybrid powertrain, ABS has gone by the wayside…

"It is currently a prototype but ABS is a technology compatible with this three-wheeler", however, points out to Site Frederic Bart.

Aesthetically too, the Metropolis Project differs greatly from the original HYmotion3 concept. Nevertheless, on one as on the other, the lion’s paw is instantly recognizable..

"Metropolis Project cannot deny its genetic affiliation to the feline species: it regenerates the new aesthetic codes of the brand glimpsed on the SR1 concept car and diverts the "floating" grille characteristic of the Peugeot 508", evokes in particular Peugeot Scooters.

Likewise, the rear lights shaped like a boomerang refer directly to Sochaux production and leave no doubt about the origin of this vehicle of the future, whose release is planned "end of 2012, probably under the name Metropolis", slip the French officials.

Other "visually remarkable element", Peugeot notes:"the total absence of contactor and lock on the vehicle. Metropolis Project is indeed equipped with an electronic key recognized at a distance of more than one meter and allowing hands-free starting. It is now enough (for the lucky ones who can overlap this "concept", Editor’s note) to unlock the steering then start the engine by simultaneously pressing the START button and the brake lever".

Use of the electric parking brake "borrowed from Premium electric cars"promises to be so childish:"located in the center of the handlebars, it is easily accessible and can be activated with a simple touch of the finger".

On the practical side still, Peugeot Scooters warns that "for added convenience, it is possible to access the under-seat storage at the touch of a button located in the front apron, while access to the tailgate is controlled by a button located at the rear left of the vehicle".

The safe – lighted – located under the saddle will accommodate an integral and a screen jet, or a computer case, or a tennis bag (to go to Roland Garros, of course). The glove box located in the rear apron accommodates a 12V socket.

End of the end, the "digital display"the dashboard, flanked by the tachometer and tachometer, will integrate a tire pressure monitoring function: no need to crouch and get your gloves dirty !

Finally, the windshield "adopts a 130 mm multi-position adjustment system to provide optimal protection. With a simple manual pressure, it only takes less than 5 seconds for the pilot to lower or raise the windshield. Extremely simple !"welcomes the Lion.

The Peugeot project, you will understand, is well put together. "And fortunately", one would be tempted to add in view of the time granted … To follow on Site: stay connected !

Matthieu BRETILLE – Manufacturer photos

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