Citroen C-Zero (2010) first picture

Citroen has revealed the C-Zero, an electric city car based on Mitsubishi's i-MiEV, and a sibling to Peugeot's iOn.

Well, Citroen and Peugeot are both now taken care of - Citroen's PSA partner Peugeot unveiled the iOn earlier this year - but the rebadged i-MiEV is an easy way for Citroen to add a zero-emissions vehicle to its range.

The C-Zero is powered by a 47kW (64bhp) motor that also produces 133lb ft and sends the drive to the rear wheels. Power for the motor comes from a 330-volt lithium-ion battery (with a 16kWh capacity) mounted in the middle of the C-Zero. Top speed is 80mph - the same as the claimed range - and 62mph is reached in 15 seconds.

And when the charge runs out you can rejuvenate the C-Zero through a conventional three-point plug (which takes around six hours to fully charge the car) or use a 'quick-charge' facility with a higher voltage to give you an 80% charge in 30 minutes.

The C-Zero will be launched in the last quarter of 2010, but prices have yet to be announced.

By Ben Pulman