I-Spy: Renault Zoe spotted out in the snow

Here's proof at last that Renault is planning the production version of an electric hot hatch based on the Zoe concept first shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The French car maker is on track to produce the performance-orientated electric car by as early as this year. The electric drivetrain will be derived from sister brand Nissan's Leaf and it will come with a 60kW electric motor with 222Nm of torque and a range of around 160km. Top executives in Renault's EV development programme state that "we have a higher-powered version of the car in mind for slightly later in its life cycle". Renault will roll out the hotter variant later on, perhaps next year, and promises around 134hp and more than 271Nm of torque. Renault considered offering two versions of the car from the start, but thought it would over-complicate the buying process for early adopters.