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A new all-electric model will join Citroen's range and is set to go on sale at the end of 2010 across Europe. The battery-powered C-Zero uses a 64bhp electric motor and lithium ion batteries that are claimed to provide a range of 80 miles in normal driving conditions.
Developed jointly with Mitsubishi, the C-Zero is effectively a Citroen-ised version of Mitsubishi's i-MieV, as tested by us. The main differences between the two are performance, as Citroen says its C-Zero covers 0-62mph in 15.0 seconds and has a top speed of 80mph, while Mitsubishi claims 0-62mph in 13.0 seconds and an 87mph top whack.
The C-Zero can be charged fully in six hours, while an 80 percent charge can be achieved in only 30 minutes using a plug-in charger. With no combustion engine, the C-Zero has only a single gear that works for forward and reverse by switching the rotation of the electric motor. It works in the same way as an automatic gearbox, where the driver selects forward or reverse and leaves the rest up to the car.
Equipment for the C-Zero will include air conditioning, electric windows, ABS anti-lock brakes, ESP traction control and six airbags to make it competitive with conventional superminis powered by petrol and diesel engines.
Citroen has yet to announce prices for the C-Zero, but says it will cost around 45-pence a time to charge.
Alisdair Suttie - 10 Nov 2009
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