In a world first, the PSA Peugeot-Citroen group will officially launch their diesel-hybrid powertrain in a 3008, which will have CO2 emissions below the iconic 100g/km point. The brand is targeting Toyota's gasoline-hybrid lead, and Renault which is pushing its electric-only vehicles as the mass market of the near future.
At the luxury end, Nissan's Infiniti brand is planning an EV version of one of its cars within two years, while the parent company's compact hatch Leaf EV is already out of the stocks and notching up buyers in advance of its European delivery date of next March.
Honda is launching its hybrid Jazz for Europe at the show, adding to its hybrid range of Civic IMA, Insight and CR-Z sports coupe.
Even the Chinese are getting serious in the game, with BYD planning to sell a plug-in hybrid in Europe in 2012.
A recent Peugeot estimate puts the hybrid/EV share of the total European car market at 15 percent by 2012, of which a third will be pure EVs. So there's a big game on.
Irish Car+Travel will be at the preview days tomorrow and Friday, and we'll bring you right up to date with the latest on these, and the still very important traditionally powered cars.
