Even though word slipped out early about their upcoming all-electric car appearing at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Optimal Energy played its cards pretty close to its chest and kept their web presence on the down low. Now that the world has been officially introduced to the MPV-sized Joule, the South African company has completely redone its website so we can now better examine their creation and learn more of its features. They have also released video of the car's presentation to a select audience in South Africa that preceded its European debut, complete with short speeches and lots of footage covering every angle of the six-seater.

So, what interesting information might be gleaned from the new website that we haven't already learned? Well, besides pics and short bios of the top folks at the 70-strong-and-growing company, we found some juicy technical details about the car itself. For instance, it will have two available powertrains. One follows the more traditional approach and features an asynchronous permanent magnet motor powering the front wheels through an 8:1 reduction gearbox. The other option moves the motors into the wheels themselves and so can allow for rear or four wheel drive. Sounds good, no? Now if only there was an American auto-maker currently without any EV plans who might be able to speed this cars arrival to the American market. Video after the jump.



[Source: Optimal Energy]

The rumors seem to be confirmed: Citroën could be preparing a small minivan based on the new platform that will be used for the upcoming C3. This minivan has a lot of company; witness the Renault Modus (based on the Renault Clio), the Opel Meriva (based on the Corsa), the Fiat Idea (based on the Punto) and the Nissan Note. Citroën has already four other minivan models: the Xsara Picasso based on the old Xsara, the C4 Picasso, the Grand C4 Picasso and the C8. While minivans might not be the first vehicles you think of when it comes to greener driving, one good thing about these people movers (especially the European-sized versions) is that they offer lots of room to carry children without burning too much fuel. It's not impossible to find models that produce fewer than 120 g/km CO₂.

[Source: Autoexpress]

French magazine Autoplus has published pictures of what the new subcompact van from Citroën might look like. Currently, Citroën offers three people-movers: the large, eight-passenger C8, the Xsara Picasso and the recent C4 Picasso (in both short- and long-wheelbase versions).

Citroën is adding a new member to the minivan family which should measure in at under 4 meters. The new model, due in late 2009, is going to be built on the Citroën C3/Peugeot 207/Citroën Nemo platform. It will share components with the quite-unsuccessful Peugeot 1007 (pictured above) and will compete directly with the Renault Modus. Expect the whole array of PSA's HDI engines to power the model.

[Source: Autoplus]