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The French automaker Citroen will unveil a high performance R version of the DS3 hatchback this March at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The DS3 R (Racing) will go on sale in the second half of 2010 and will be limited to 1000 units.

The car pictured features wider wheel flarings housing bigger hoops and riding on a dropped suspension. Sources peg it at 15 millimeters stouter than stock, with NAFTA four-pot brakes front and rear. Under the hood, the 1.6-liter turbo four is tipped to produce between 200 and 210 horsepower, driving through a six-speed manual (the jury's still out on the presence of a limited-slip differential) and likely to the front wheels to propel the DS3 Racing to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. The Halloween livery may be a love-it-or-hate-it affair, but this is likely what we'll see, if the reports prove accurate at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. For our part, we'll take ours in deep blue, with a big red leaping bull on the side and our names printed above the doors.

The Electric vehicle is to become a common household item whether it is a new Peugeot Ion or even a new Citroen. Kent and the rest of the UK have been notified that the year of the electric car has been named by the Government as next year, 2011. Cars that are eligible for grants will shortly be announced but only after the three main electric vehicles go on sale next month. The government is seeking a real change in the way we perceive our everyday travels and car usage.

So for Citroen, extending its relationship with Mitsubishi to re-badge the Japanese maker’s electric city car must have been a no-brainer. The result is the C-ZERO – a new version of the zero-emission i-MiEV.

And re-badged is the best way to describe it. While Citroen has replaced Mitsubishi’s three diamonds with its own double chevrons on the bonnet, in every other way the C-ZERO is visually identical to its Japanese cousin.

After the Peugeot iOn was presented at the last Frankfurt Auto Show, the Citroen C-ZERO marks the second part of the partnership between PSA and Mitsubishi to market electric vehicles in Europe. It will be offered to individuals, companies and administrations and local communities.

The C-ZERO was premiered at the World Exhibition in Brussels in January 2010 and will be launched on the market during the last quarter of 2010, like its sister the Peugeot iOn.

Citroën is continuing its development of electric cars, through its commercial vehicle, the Berlingo First Electric, in cooperation with the manufacturer specialist Venturi. It will be sold before next summer.

The C-ZERO is the French version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicle, based on the Mitsubishi i a kei car sold in Japan, and is the result of the partnership between PSA and Mitsubishi. After the Peugeot iOn was presented at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the Citroen C-ZERO marks the second part of the marketing of electric vehicles in Europe . The C-ZERO expands Citroëns small-vehicle range with a 100% electric car. It is designed to facilitate urban mobility: small size, quick charging and sufficient range for daily commutes.

Citroen claims a top speed of 80mph and says the car will accelerate from 37-56mph in six seconds. Of more interest is the range. A conservative estimate of 80 miles will be enough for most owners.

This was most notable in the UK with the revised London Congestion Charge system. Previously any cars utilising alt-fuel technology were granted complete exemption from the charge however now cars must have Euro V compliant engines and CO2 emissions below the 100g/km threshold to qualify for the 100 per cent discount.