Citroen C-Zero Electric Car Released

Citroen has just presented its latest electric contraption, the so-called C-Zero model which is projected to go on sale in the domestic market in the last quarter of 2010. Citroen says it was especially developed to "make urban mobility easier, with its compact dimensions, rapid charge and sufficient range for day-to-day car journey".

The C-Zero is developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and is the second electric vehicle developed by Citroen after the Berlingo First Electric developed with Venturi. The car will qualify for the government bonus of 5,000 euros, the company said in a release.

The car comes equipped with an electric motor that develops 64 horsepower from 3,000 to 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 180 Nm from 2,000 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear axle via a single-speed reduction gear. The car goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 15 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 130 km/h. The 60-90 km/h acceleration is completed in 6 seconds.

The engine is connected to a 330-volt lithium-ion battery mounted in the center of the car. The recharging process can be done via any 220-volt socket, with the whole capacity projected to be restored in around six hours. However, an 80 percent charge is possible in just 30 minutes, Citroen says.

The four-seater has a wheelbase of 2.55m and a boot of 166 liter. Standard features include power steering, ABS, TCS, ESP, power windows, six airbags, air conditioning and an autonomous telematics box for the emergency call system.