Citroen Survolt Le Mans Classic Debut Revealed In Photos

Citroen's Survolt electric vehicle concept, a sporty merging of its Revolte and GTbyCitroen concepts, made its real-world debut at the Le Mans Classic this week, driven by race driver Vanina Ickx, daughter of former F1 and Le Mans racer, Jacky Ickx.

 "I am very proud to have participated in this unique project," Ms Ickx said after the event. "On the track it felt really good. It's a real race car, with a very promising potential for the future."

Also on the track alongside the Survolt was Citroen's GTbyCitroen concept, created initially as a concept for the Gran Turismo 5 video game. Long-held hopes for a production version of the GT concept were at last quashed last week.

Debuting at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the Survolt is powered by an all-electric drivetrain, its two electric motors producing a combined output of 223kW. The electric motors draw their energy from a pair of lithium-ion batteries, weighing about 140kg each.

With a kerb weight of just 1150kg, the Survolt measures just 3850mm long, 1870mm wide and 1200mm tall.

"I think it's important that this car didn't look like just another sports car," Survolt design boss Bertrand Dantec told press at Geneva.

"It had to have some of the softness and femininity of the Revolte, because I think it would appeal to a different kind of buyer than the usual sports car."

While there is still no word on any version of the Survolt entering production, the French carmaker is clearly keen to develop all aspects its electric vehicle technology.