Peugeot Ion car review
Tuesday 14 September 2010
First Drive
Peugeot has a long track record of building electric cars: an electric version of its 106 supermini was the world’s best-selling zero-emission car.
Now, Peugeot marks a return with the Ion. And if it looks familiar – it does; It is identical to the Mitsubishi I-MIEV; the Japanese company’s own electric city car.
The Peugeot Ion isn’t just a Mitsubishi with Peugeot’s lion badge stuck on the front. Both manufacturers worked together on it, and Peugeot’s sister company, Citroen are tipped to launch its own version.
But unlike the I-MIEV, the Ion isn’t available to buy outright; Peugeot has opted to lease it on four-year contracts.
That’s important, because research suggests motorists are put off electric cars because of cost of replacing the vehicle’s batteries at the end of their life.
Peugeot will offer the Ion for £415 a month over a four-year term, which includes the lease of the car, a full warranty and full servicing and maintenance for up to 40,000 miles.
The same research concludes motorists are concerned about getting stranded with a flat battery on long journeys, but Peugeot has that covered too. It will offer buyers access to its MU scheme, which offers the option of hiring conventionally-engined cars.
More than a big golf buggy
The car itself is a revelation to those who consider electric cars to be like big golf buggies.
There’s space for four, and electric windows, air-conditioning, central locking and a comprehensive level of safety equipment is offered.
On the road, the softly-sprung Ion is comfortable over bumps, and offers a surprising turn of speed – accelerating from 20 to 40mph takes just 3.5 seconds, faster than a Peugeot 207 hot hatch. This figure is more telling than its leisurely 16-second 0-62mph time. Top speed is a more-than-adequate 81mph.
But driving the Ion like this will have a huge impact on the distance the car can travel. With its lithium-ion battery pack, and some clever systems which can add additional charge to the battery under braking, Peugeot says the Ion has a range of 93 miles in ideal conditions.
Driving the car hard, or using the air-conditioning can reduce this range by almost half, but Peugeot says this shouldn’t be a problem for most drivers, who have typical daily journeys of less than 35 miles.
Six hour charge
The Peugeot Ion can be fully charged from a household socket – which will be checked for suitability by Peugeot – in around six hours, but hooking it up to a public charging station allows a 20 per cent charge in five minutes or an 80 per cent charge in half an hour.
Peugeot says 120 miles of driving will cost around £2.50, but this cost can be reduced by charging during off-peak hours. It can also offer a potential £1,514 saving on fuel costs over 10,000 miles, a similar amount in London Congestion Charge payments each year and more than £2,500 in parking fees annually.
The Ion is expected to achieve four out of five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test programme, and comes with six airbags, electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist.
By looking at the Ion purely in terms of its monthly purchase price, the Ion is expensive, but it is competitive with its brother, the Mitsubishi I which costs a considerable £28,990. Unlike the I, the Ion offers worry-free motoring with its full service package.
For those who consider electric cars to be slow and poorly built, the Ion is a breath of fresh air, and is a competent car in its own right.
Key facts:
Model tested: Peugeot Ion
On the road price: £415 per month (lease only)
Price range: £415 per month
Date tested: September 2010
Road tester: Stuart Milne