Paris show: Peugeot’s super show

PEUGEOT has teased what appears to be a supercar on its Facebook page ahead of an apparent reveal at the Paris motor show on September 27.

European news outlets are speculating that the low, wide and long coupe is called Onyx, and is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain.

The video accompanying the single still photograph reveals a long rear deck with what appears to be vents over a mid-mounted engine, crowned with an electrically raised wing spoiler.

The front fascia shows LED daytime running lights running in an unusual angle from the lower edge of the spoiler to near the wheel arches.

Tiny rear vision cameras extend on arms from the doors, in typical concept car style.

Peugeot has hinted at carbon-fibre construction, with what looks like Kevlar mat being enveloped in liquid resin in the video.

The bodywork appears to be two-tone – with a lighter-hued gloss across the front half and matte black at the rear.

No powertrain details are given, but speculation centres on a 188kW 1.6-litre turbo-charged petrol engine assisted by an 88kW electric motor.

Assuming the Onyx does appear at Paris, it will line up on the Peugeot stand with the all-new 208 GTi and the new all-electric Partner Electrique van – a competitor for the Renault Kangoo ZE.

The latter, which is set to go on sale in Europe in the second quarter of 2013, is powered by a 49kW/200Nm electric motor hooked up to a 22.5kWh lithium-ion battery.

It is said to have a range of 170km and can be charged in six to nine hours from a household socket or as little as 30 minutes for an 80 per cent “fill” on a 125-amp fast charger.