Peugeot BB1's launch party: A big bash for a little car

I've been swamped this week so I wasn't able to blog everything I wanted to blog about straightaway.  Well not on VOX anyway.  I was microblogging over on Twitter.  So, if you follow me there (and you know you should) you'll have seen me posting live from the big bash for the BB1.

I was asked along to the launch party of Peugeot's new baby, the BB1.  It was a rather glamourous affair held at The Hospital Club in London's Covent Garden on Wednesday night.  Yours truly was by far the most dressed down - although I did have brand new shoes on!  Attending the event were a varied bunch of celebrities including Christopher Biggins, the Cheeky Girls and Jodie Kidd (who, by the way, is unbelievably tall!)

Giant Jodie on the left, in front of Jazzie

Being completely out of touch with modern pop culture I had no idea who all the other famous people were - only that they had to be famous as the photographers were taking lots of pictures of them.

One person I did recognise was Soul II Soul's legendary Jazzie B, who was DJing.  Two of my all time favourite tunes were Back to Life and Keep on Movin'.  I can't even begin to say how awesome it was to meet him in person.

Me and Jazzie B!

Just a quick rough 'n' ready summary for those that didn't see my earlier VOX post or my tweets...

The BB1 is an all electric concept vehicle that Peugeot have designed.  Although it's very small it's big enough to fit four.  It's very comfy - at least the front seats are (there's a video of me in the driving seat on its way - once I've finished editing it!)  As for the rear seats, I didn't manage to sit in the back, my own motor skills (excuse the pun) aren't all that great after a few drinks!  To be honest it looked like a tight squeeze but then again, it's not really meant to fit four adults in on daily basis.

From now on I'll be the eye candy at all international motor shows!

Now, as many of you will know, I'm not a motorist.  I can drive but for various reasons I don't have a car (no, I didn't lose my license!)  On top of that I'm not a motoring enthusiast - so you won't ever catch me watching Top Gear.  But I do love fun and quirky designs and, well, anything that challenge's convention.  I'm saying this so that you know where I'm coming from.  If you're after detailed analysis and comparisons between other electric vehicles you'll need to go elsewhere.

The great thing about such events as these is the chance to talk to top bods at the companies.  This, IMHO, is more fun (for want of a better word) than talking to the celebs.  Why?  Because it's great being able to ask questions about the product, the design and how it came about.  There's a real passion there, they're talking about their 'baby' after all.  Speaking of which, that's apparently why Peugeot named this mini marvel of theirs the BB1.  Cute, huh?

What really amazed me about the car, and I think I may have an 'exclusive' on this (I don't recall seeing it elsewhere!) is that it only takes six hours to fully charge from a normal household electrical supply.  As it has a range of 75 miles, that's none too shabby (especially when you think how long those electric ride-on kid's cars take to charge!)  Remember that the BB1, and similar cars, are meant as a city run-around vehicle - they're not designed for a long motorway commute.  And, if you're still not convinced that 6 hours is not too long - it will charge even quicker from a suitably equipped garage supply.

And finally (for this post, at least) the obligatory preview/launch/press event bag of swag.  This one included 'foot relief' lotion (incidentally the BB1 doesn't have foot pedals), hand and body wash, a USB memory stick, a little note pad and, in that box, a mini digital picture frame...

The goods

By the way, if you're in and around London this weekend, the car is on display in Covent Garden between 10am and 7pm.  I know, I know, that's a bit late notice for today - but there's still a whole day Sunday.  Full deets here.