2019 Bollinger B1 electric off road vehicle

The Bollinger B1 is a completely original vehicle with a heavy-duty aluminum chassis custom-designed for off-road. If you electrified your Land Rover you would get a B1.

The Bollinger B1 comes with two battery pack options: a 60 kWh and a 100 kWh. The 100 kWh pack steals headlines with its 360 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The result is a 0-to-60 mph time of just 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 127 mph which is quite impressive for a 4WD vehicle and B1 weighs 3,900 pounds. Driving range is 200 miles, or 120 miles with the 60 kWh battery pack.

Rotational energy comes from two electric motors, one at each axle. Front and rear locking differentials allow for hard-core off-roading, as do the Portal hubs at each wheel and a fully independent suspension system. Heavy-duty, vent disc brakes with regenerative braking are mounted inboard of each half-shaft, meaning there is less unbalanced weight at each wheel. The suspension system is comprised of a double wishbone setup at each corner, sprung with adjustable airbags that raise and lower the ride height by 10 inches.

Charging is handled via a J1772 universal connector. Both 110-volt and 220-volt charging is accepted, while a DC Fast charge offers Level 3 recharging. A full charge from a normal 220 v plug takes seven or 12 hours and 45 to 75 minutes with a DC fast charger.

The aluminum chassis and electric drivetrain are clearly the heart of the B1’s design, but the body’s design continues the functionality originating within the frame. Aesthetically, the B1 looks like a cross between a first-generation (1966–1977) Ford Bronco and a Land Rover Defender. The square shape offers the most usable interior space while being simple to manufacture.

The steel front bumper provides protection and a spot for a recovery winch. It also has two recovery points, too. LED headlights are energy efficient and provide excellent light at night. Vents on the front end and atop the fenders keep the electric powertrain cool and provide air for the HVAC system.

Around the sides are protective panels line the squared-off fender openings and steel rocker guards help protect the body and undercarriage from off-road obstacles .The Bollinger B1’s rear also holds much of its utility. The tailgate folds like a typical pickup’s, giving access to the cargo area. But, Bollinger’s ingenious hardtop design is just astounding. The side glass panels are removable, as is the top. What’s left is the rear C-pillars and the horizontal roof supports that connect the B- to the C-pillars. With those removed, though, the C-pillar and rear window section can be moved forward and latched to the B-pillar, essentially creating a single-cab pickup.

Interior

It’s almost hard to distinguish between the exterior and interior on such a utilitarian, open-top SUV. With the top removed, the B1 has that open-air feeling while still retaining its functionality. Let’s start with the dash: like the outside, the dash is crafted from metals held in place with rivets. The instrumentation is simple, limited to a few analog gauges and a digital readout for monitoring more complex systems. All the switches are mounted in a line just below the steering column.

In back, the rear bucket seats are mounted to the walls, allowing them to fold up against the window to free up floor space. It’s a similar design to the Toyota Land Cruiser. The rear section of the top is removable, so you can then drive Jeep-style, rear seats alfresco, or remove the back seats and slide the rear-most pillars forward to create a half-cab pickup. There are also 110-volt power outlets throughout the cabin, so you can use that giant battery to run power tools wherever you’re parked.