HARD on the heels of last week's launch of Peugeot's electrified multi-seat Traveller, the French company's partner brand, Citroen, has released first details of its version of the people carrier which is expected to arrive in British dealerships at the end of the year.

Unlike the Peugeot, the Citroen e-SpaceTourer will come in just one size - 4.95mts - but it's capable of carrying up to nine people compared with the Peugeot's eight.

The Citroen shares its' underpinnings with the Peugeot, sitting on the PSA Group's EMP2 platform and with an electric drive system based on an underfloor-mounted, 50 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which provides a range of 143 miles.

The driver can select from three driving modes - Normal, Eco and Power - with 136bhp available in Power mode and a top speed of 80mph.

From the outside, there's little to distinguish the electrically powered SpaceTourer from the conventionally powered versions other than a blanked off grille with an e badge and the charging point on the left-hand front wing.

But inside there's a newly-designed, toggle-style gear selector, a special instrument panel and seven-inch touchscreen both of which feature specific displays for electric power consumption, battery charge status and energy flow. There's also head-up display and a reversing camera which provides a view from above the rear of the vehicle and zooms in automatically for easier manoeuvring.

Two trim levels will be available tailored either for private buyers or transport professionals such as taxi companies or VIP and hotel shuttle services.

‘Feel' trim is aimed at large or extended families, groups and those who like to travel with friends and comes with a choice of five, seven or eight seat configurations. Rail-mounted sliding seats mean that the interior layout can be changed at will to provide optimum boot volume or more legroom. The seats have reclining backrests and all bar the driver's seat can be folded down to form a flat ‘shelf' to accommodate and transport bulky objects for leisure or home use.

The ‘Business' trim comes with what Citroen calls ‘upbeat styling' and with configurable seating for up to nine.