Tuesday 15 September 2009

Peugeot iOn electric car powers up

Peugeot is ramping up its attack on the electric car market by intorducing the iOn next year, in a joint-venture with Mitsubishi.

By David WilliamsPublished: 11:42AM BST 14 Sep 2009

Its iOn will be based closely on the Japanese firm's iMiEV but will have its own badging and minor styling and equipment changes.
The iOn will premiere at this month's Frankfurt Motor Show and go on sale in the UK late in 2010. The iMiEV comes to the UK this winter.

Peugeot was unable to confirm exact specification levels, pricing or the numbers it hopes to sell. However, the French firm said the newcomer would build on the success of the Peugeot 106 Electric that was produced between 1995 and 2003.
The four-door, four-seat iOn will have a range of 80 miles on a single charge and a top speed of 80mph. The lithium-ion batteries can be recharged in six hours using conventional mains power or recharged to 80 per cent capacity within 30 minutes.
Peugeot says the car will be aimed at fleet and retail customers and will be sold, not leased. It also said its new 3008 Hybrid4, featuring 200bhp, four-wheel-drive and emissions of 99g/km would appear in spring 2011.