Peugeot and Citroén have revealed two concept cars designed to showcase the future of hybrid technology based on diesel-electric power.
The two cars, based on a 307 and C4 models, use a 1.6-litre HDI diesel engine, a particulate filter and the latest version of the Stop & Start system, in conjunction with an electric motor, inverter and high-voltage battery pack. The system recovers energy during deceleration and braking, and uses an all-electric mode at speeds up to 50kph (31mph). The electric motor also provides up to 35 per cent more power during main road and motorway driving.
PSA, Peugeot’s and Citroén’s parent firm, believes the cars use only 3.4 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres – that equates to over 83mpg. There are no immediate plans to make the hybrid cars available on the market, however – PSA says the price differential to normal models is ‘still too wide and would need to be halved to make diesel hybrid vehicles available to most consumers’.
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