Advert
Peugeot 2008 HYbrid Air hybrid technology
The Peugeot 2008 HYbrid Air hybrid combines petrol with compressed air and this technology has the potential for achieving 140mpg .
The 2008 HYbrid Air will be shown for the first time at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. A Citroen C3 Hybrid Air prototype will also showcase the Hybrid Air technology at the show, delivering fuel economy of 97mpg in its current form.
Peugeot claims that HYbrid Air technology offers substantial reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, by means of affordable technology which can be applied to cars and light commercial vehicles in the B and C segments.
HYbrid Air combines tried and tested technology with the new generation of 3-cylinder petrol engines and compressed air.
The HYbrid Air combines two energies to achieve the highest efficiency in various situations. The compressed air will assist, or even take the place of, the petrol engine during the phases which consume the most energy, i.e. acceleration and moving off.
This technology uses certain components new to the motor industry but widely tested in other sectors such as aeronautics. The HYbrid Air consists of an energy tank containing pressurised air installed under the body in the central tunnel, a low pressure tank at the rear suspension cross member acting as an expansion bottle and a hydraulic unit consisting of a motor and a pump installed under the bonnet on the transmission.
The latter consists of an EGC (Electronic Gearbox Control) drivetrain to manage the distribution between the two motors. It replaces the mechanical gearbox and in addition offers automated gear changes. The engine used in this application is the latest generation 3-cylinder petrol engine.
In the Air (ZEV) mode, only the energy contained in the compressed air tank will drive the vehicle. As it depressurises, the air occupies an increasing amount of space in the energy tank and so displaces a corresponding volume of oil. This is an energy carrier which supplies the hydraulic motor coupled to the drivetrain. As the engine is switched off, the vehicle moves without consuming any fuel or emitting any CO2 .
In Petrol mode, only the 1.2-litre VTi 3-cylinder petrol engine powers the vehicle.
In the Combined mode, the petrol engine and hydraulic motor operate simultaneously.
The result promises to be urban driving in Air (ZEV) mode up to 80% of the time, with no fuel consumption, and a resulting 45% reduction in fuel consumption when driving in urban areas.
On the current generation of B segment vehicles, the HYbrid Air considerably reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions . Following a homologation cycle test, a figure of 97.4mpg was achieved and CO2 levels of just 69g/km.
The HYbrid Air is a key step towards 140mpg in association with other technological advances.
A Citroen C3 Hybrid Air prototype will also showcase the Hybrid Air technology at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, delivering fuel economy of 97mpg.
Read our Peugeot and Citroen hybrid reviews:
