At the Paris Motor Show later this month Peugeot will reveal the “207 EPURE” concept car – a glimpse of a future 207 model with a futuristic power plant.

In 1998 at the Geneva Motor Show, the concept-car for the Peugeot 206 CC, the 20?, was presented for the first time. It marked a new chapter in “open top” motoring and, with the launch of the 206 CC in January 2001, “open top” motoring was changed forever thanks to Peugeot.

Since its launch in the UK, the 206 CC has been the best selling convertible car for three consecutive years (2002, 2003 and 2004) and was the best selling Coupé Cabriolet in its sector in 2005. A total of over 350,000 206 CCs have been built since its launch in 2000 and over 45,000 have been sold in the UK.

With the launch of the 207 hatchback, Peugeot’s designers naturally considered including a “CC” version in the new range. Now at the Paris Motor Show, a glimpse of this new future model can be seen in the “207 EPURE” concept car.

The concept car is powered by an electric motor combined with PSA Peugeot Citroën Group’s new “GENEPAC 20” 20 kW experimental fuel cell which has been designed in partnership with the French AEC (Atomic Energy Commission).

The electricity produced by the fuel cell is used to provide extra power and operating range to the vehicle’s electric motor or the “lithium-ion” battery. The combination of the fuel cell and the electric powertrain gives the “207 EPURE”a considerable range of around 218 miles while still providing a maximum speed of 81 mph.

The “pearl white” exterior of the “207 EPURE” highlights the purity of the concept car’s lines while strengthening the ecological credentials of the technology that powers it.

The fascia panel is covered entirely with white leather, as is most of the passenger compartment: the detailing, the trim on all four seats, and even the steering column controls under the steering wheel. Touches of “absinthe green”, as used for the interior floor carpet, are subtly interspersed throughout the passenger compartment, particularly in the form of discreet highlighting on the fascia panel, the door panels, the rear of the front seats and the head restraints.

The instrument panel provides all necessary information for monitoring the battery charge level and the quantity of stored hydrogen onboard, while the colour multi function display mounted in the centre console displays the flow of power between the electric motor, the battery and the fuel cell.

From the purity of its colour with the only emissions being water, the “207 EPURE” not only protects the environment but will also ensure the pleasure of Peugeot “open top” motoring remains for many years to come.