Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, Peugeot, On Two Wheels, Paris Motor Show

We really dig Peugeot’s new HYmotion3 Compressor Concept. It’s got three wheels — two up front and one in back, our preferred arrangement — and a hybrid drivetrain. The two front wheels are independently powered by individual wheel-mounted hub motors and have no connection to the supercharged four-stroke 125cc engine that powers the rear wheel. Regenerative braking is all that provides power to the scooter’s battery pack. Like the Piaggio MP3, the HYmotion3 is a leaning machine. Besides that radical powertrain, the scooter features a full safety cage that encompasses both the driver and passenger. A real windshield sits at the front with a second large sunroof overhead.

The engine shuts down when it’s not needed and the electrically-driven front wheels are capable of powering the machine by themselves. The HYmotion3 is extremely fuel efficient, recording 118 miles per gallon. Could it see production? It’s not beyond the realm of possibility, as the supercharged engine is already sold in other Peugeot scooters and the aforementioned MP3 has proven that the design can be a success on the sales floor. In other words, stay tuned.

[Source: Peugeot]

Continue reading Peugeot unleashes 118 mpg HYmotion3 Compressor Concept

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Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Audi, Legislation and Policy, Peugeot

It seems that Audi and Peugeot’s winning ways have not gone unnoticed by the powers-that-be in the assorted racing series in which they compete. Whenever a design does well in racing, you can count on a few things happening, usually either other teams begin using that particular technology, rule modifications are made to minimize its advantage or it gets banned entirely. This seems to be exactly what is taking place with the turbo diesel engines now being used in the Le Mans racing series. The Automobile Club de l’Quest, the sanctioning body of the series, will mandate smaller air-restrictor size and reduced turbo pressure for the hugely powerful oil-burners.

Other changes will be made across all teams and cars, regardless of fuel type, including smaller rear wings, one tire gun in the pits and no tire heaters. These latter modifications are supposed to make the cars a bit slower and make them cheaper to operate. Perhaps Peugeot had an idea that changes might be made when it developed its new hybrid racer. As technology marches on, so must the rules … and the teams’ attempts to stay one step ahead.

[Source: Autosport]

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative, Euro, Green, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, PSA, Peugeot

Peugeot’s new, Paris-bound hybrid concept car is called the Prologue, and based on how Peugeot describes it in the press release that accompanied these three photos, it shows us where the French automaker is headed stylistically and technologically. The Prologue is a perfectly normal-looking 5-door hatchback with a new, less-horrific take on the gaping-maw look with which the Peugeot range has been saddled in recent years. Now it just looks angry, instead of like a boxer about to spit out his mouth guard. The Prologue’s hybrid powertrain is apparently good for 200 horsepower and emits 109 g/km of CO2 per kilometer. We’ll have the final word on the Prologue — an epilogue, so to speak — from the Paris Motor Show next month.

[Source: Peugeot]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Peugeot Prologue concept

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Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrids/Alternative, Euro, Peugeot

At the finale of the European Le Mans Series at Silverstone, Peugeot is rolling out the 908 HY, a hybrid version of the 908 HDi FAP that made the LMP1 battle at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans a very interesting affair. The 908 HY might well be what we see at Circuit de la Sarthe next June is the ACO regs for 2009 allow it.

Under that silver livery set off by blue lightning bolts, the 908 HY incorporates a KERS; a 60kW electric motor/generator; ten lithium ion battery packs split into two locations; and a power converter that manages the energy transfer between said battery packs and the electric motor. In addition to light-duty, EV-only operation, the 908 HY can run its diesel V12 solo or it can combine the two — the electric motor’s power can be summoned to provide added boost, either on demand or automatically. According to Peugeot, the electric motor supplies 80 more horsepower for 20 seconds or so. Oh, and lest we forget, the hybrid system also saves fuel without diminishing the 908’s already impressive performance capabilities.

The Peugeots at Le Mans this summer were fast, but when the checkered flag waved, it was Audi atop the podium once again. You know French automaker desperately wants to win Le Mans and knock its German rival off the top step, and this evolution of the 908 HDi FAP might well be the car to do it — if the rules let it in, and if it can hold up for the duration of the race. Here’s hoping the 908 HY makes the cut in the eyes of the ACO, because watching Peugot go for the brass ring should provide plenty of excitement for motorsport aficionados. Thanks for the heads-up, Richard.

[Source: Peugeot via Supercars.net]

Continue reading Peugeot 908 HY to close Le Mans Series in hybrid style

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Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Peugeot

In the current world of big time international endurance racing, two cars stand head and shoulders above the rest, the Audi R10 TDI and the Peugeot 908 HDi. Put these two Le Mans Prototype class 1 cars, both powered by 5.5L turbo diesel V12s, on a wide open track and nothing can run with them. With Formula 1 introducing hybrid kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) in 2009 and the American Le Mans Series introducing a Green Challenge award, Peugeot has decided to take the next step with its program. The French manufacturer is using the last race of the 2008 Le Mans Series at Sliverstone to unveil a demonstrator called the 908 HY which may foreshadow the next generation of its Le Mans challenger. The 908 HY adds a 60 kW electric motor, a set of lithium ion battery packs and corresponding power electronics. The diesel hybrid system will allow the car to operate in electric-only mode in the pits, and get a power boost on the track thanks to recaptured kinetic energy. The current demonstrator has a net weight gain of 45 kg (99 lbs) compared to the standard car. Whether Peugeot runs a car based on this powertrain depends on the ACO, the organization that sets the rules for Le Mans. Corsa Motorsports recently announced its plans to compete in the American Le Mans Series beginning next month with an E10 fueled hybrid electric racer.

[Source: Peugeot]

Continue reading Peugeot shows new 908 HY diesel-hybrid Le Mans racer!

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Filed under: SUVs, Euro, Mitsubishi, PSA

Click photo for gallery of the UK Outlander, the Citroen C-Crosser, and Peugeot 4007

In an unexpected bit of quid pro quo, PSA will supply Mitsubishi with a 154-horsepower 2.2L turbodiesel engine that the Japanese automaker will offer in the Outlander SUV when it goes on sale in Europe. That will allow Mitsu to offer a pair of diesels in their Euro-Outlander, as they already had a deal in place to sell it with 138-hp VW-supplied 2.0L diesels. This is good for Mitsubishi because now it gets to offer a diesel engine range, which is always helpful on the continent. Naturally, a traditional gasoline engine will also be offered.

PSA’s happy, too, because their existing partnership with Mitsubishi netted them the badge-engineered Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C-Crosser. Truth be told, we’re totally curious to see whether or not the sharp-looking Mitsu outsells its Francophone doppelgangers. We know we’d take the Mitsu every time, but there’s no accounting for the tastes of our friends overseas. Seriously, how else do you explain the horrifying 4007?

You can read the Mitsubishi/PSA joint press release after the jump. For reference, we’ve also included the PR on the UK-spec Outlander, which will be available with both diesels discussed above. Check out our gallery for high-res shots of the UK Outlander as well as its Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C-Crosser cousins.

[Source: Just-Auto (sub-req’d)]

Continue reading Mitsubishi getting diesel from PSA in exchange for Outlander CUV

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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