Peugeot announces electrified sports car strategy

Following the reveal of Peugeot's pure-electric e-Legend sports car concept at last month's Paris motor show, the French carmaker has announced the development of a new range of electrified performance vehicles from 2020.

It is unclear how this strategy will materialise, with Peugeot stating it will offer high-performance, low-emissions vehicles in collaboration with Peugeot Sport.

The company has also announced it will not continue in the WRX world rallycross championship after this year, due to the “uncertainty” surrounding the evolution of the sport, instead putting its resources towards EV technology.

Peugeot brand chief executive officer Jean-Philippe Imparto sees electrification as an opportunity to enhance driver engagement, rather than take away from it.

“Driving pleasure is at the heart of the brand's history” he said.

“Electrification is a new opportunity to offer new high-performance versions to our customers looking for low-emission sports sensations. Driving sensations will be amplified by the performance provided by electrification."

Peugeot revealed a number of road-going electric vehicles at this year's Paris motor show, including the performance 3008 GT Hybrid4, however the mid-size SUV will not make it Down Under.

The electrified SUV is currently the most powerful production model in Peugeot's global arsenal, capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds with an electric-only driving range of 50 kilometres.

Power comes from a 147kW 1.6-litre petrol engine which is matches with a pair of 80kW electric motors, delivering power to all four wheels.

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