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Peugeot has started
to take pre-reservations for its electric car, the i0n in the UK.
Already the marque has signed letters of intent with a number of
companies and local authorities across Europe, for the vehicle to become
part of their car-sharing and vehicle fleets.
The Peugeot i0n
“zero-emissions” electric vehicle will be introduced at the end of 2010.
The vehicle, developed in co-operation with the Mitsubishi Motor
Corporation (MMC), will offer a zero-emission urban transport solution
for private, fleet and local authority users.
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Peugeot has a long history in electric vehicles and, with the Peugeot
106 Electric which was produced between 1995 and 2003, remains to this
day the manufacturer who has sold the most “zero emission” electric
vehicles in the world.
The i0n is the ideal solution for
the ever-increasing challenges of urban mobility versus environmental
protection. Busy urban areas will be the favourite playground of the i0n.
With four doors and four seats, a compact length of 3.48 m and a turning
circle of 4.50 m, it will be ideal for busy congested city centres. It
develops a maximum power output of 64 bhp and a torque of 180 Nm and,
with its maximum speed of 80 mph, it will have all the performance it
needs in this busy environment. It has an operating range of 80 miles on
a single charge of its lithium-ion batteries and they can be recharged
in six hours using a conventional mains power supply or recharged to 80%
capacity within thirty minutes, thanks to its fast charging system.
These performance
levels allow this "zero-emission" city car to offer a good level of
versatility, comparable in performance and comfort to a small
conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. Its respect for the
environment par excellence, its compact size, safety and simple
operation will be its best, but by no means only, attributes.
In fact, onboard it will also
include some innovative functions, thanks in particular to the "localised
communication unit" which
authorises data transfer (battery status, distance covered, distance to
travel before maintenance is due, etc…) thus providing assistance
especially for fleet operators.
There will also be
no compromise on safety or comfort; iOn will feature ABS, traction
control, ESP and six airbags as well as electric windows, air
conditioning and a range of audio equipment.
The i0n also illustrates
Peugeot's commitment to integrate within its model range different
automotive solutions, suited to different urban mobility needs. It also
represents one of the key elements of the Brand's strategy,
to reduce its environmental footprint and the dependence on fossil
fuels. 
The i0n is part of
Peugeot’s comprehensive offering for business customers, and has already
been selected by nine European companies, for their car-sharing and
fleet programmes. Retail customers can now register their interest in
the iOn via the
www.peugeot.co.uk web site and will be amongst the first to be
offered a test drive in the vehicle when it is available. |
