2004 Volvo 3CC Concept

Shanghai Bibendum Show-Goers Get a Charge Out of 3CC

Each year French tire manufacturer Michelin holds the Bibendum Competition, celebrating all things automotive and

Volvo's previous concept cars focused on safety, performance and personality. Now the 3CC adds eco-friendliness. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada)

environmentally friendly. But the Bibendum is much more than a long-distance solar car race or the like. Rather it's a forum that allows major manufactures to show off their latest eco-safe production and concept vehicles.

Taking front and center stage at this year's show is Volvo, which purpose-designed the electric-powered 3CC concept car to enter the event. Volvo is no stranger to quirky designs, having toted around unorthodox yet

The 3CC is shorter, narrower and slimmer than most Volvos. It's the smallest Volvo concept yet, a unique proposition. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada)

innovative safety and performance and concepts for decades. The 3CC, however, takes Volvo's ingenuity and creativity to an entirely new level while simultaneously departing from any current clean power conventionality.

Propulsion for this truly unique concept is provided by a powerful, single electric motor. Volvo has kept the details and specifications of this powerplant under close guard, but from what is known it is capable of producing a constant and steady stream of 236 lb-ft of torque from 0 to 3,500 rpm. The near silent electric motor has the ability to thrust the 3CC forward to 100 km/h in approximately 10 seconds, and then is able to attain an overall top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph).