Paris Motor Show 2010: Peugeot

Our tour of the Paris Motor Show continues, and right now we are looking at the stand of Peugeot, where we came across the new 508, i-On, 3008 Hybrid4 and the HR1 and SR1 prototypes.

We already have plenty of information about the Peugeot 508, but until now we had not seen it in person. It is a mid-size saloon measuring around 4.80 metres in length and featuring a huge boot of 545 litres in the saloon and 660 litres in the estate (508 SW).

Perhaps the engine that has aroused the most interest in this model is the 1.6-litre e-HDI. It produces 112 CV of maximum power and 285 Nm of torque. Its best feature is its consumption, of just 4.2 litres per 100 kilometres, which translates into CO2 emissions of 109 g per kilometre driven. However, in the short term, the 508 range will add a diesel-electric hybrid version of approximately 200 CV and CO2 emissions of 99 g/km.

The Peugeot i-On has recently become famous for having the Queen Sofía as its first driver. The i-On is a fully electric car, with a motor that produces 64 CV, enough to reach 0-60 km/h in just 3.5 seconds. Its maximum range is 150 km and its top speed 130 km/h. These figures make it entirely viable for use in the city. In addition, it can be recharged from a conventional power socket in a maximum of 6 hours.

“The world’s first diesel hybrid”, the Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4, was also present at the Parisian show. Noteworthy on this vehicle is the combination of a 163 CV diesel engine with a 37 CV electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 200 CV. The diesel engine drives the front wheels and the electric motor the rear ones. Its consumption: a mere 3.8 l/100 km (or 99 g/km of CO2). It will go on sale next spring.

Now it is the turn of the prototypes. We start with the HR1, a kind of city mini-SUV. It is said it could preview the main lines of the next 208. Designed to carry up to 4 people, the HR1 features a 1.3-litre three-cylinder engine producing a maximum of 110 CV. Thanks to hybridisation with a 37 CV electric motor (the same as in the 3008 HYbrid4), it offers four-wheel drive and consumption is reduced to a surprising 3.5 l/100 km.

The other prototype is called SR1. It was presented at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year and previews the basic design features of the future 508 coupé. It is a convertible with a hard top that has the peculiarity of not being foldable but removable. Its interior can seat up to three people and it uses the HYbrid4 hybrid system, which means low consumption and four-wheel drive and steering. In this case, the power comes from a 218 CV 1.6 THP petrol engine and a 95 CV electric motor (combined output 313 CV). It can run on electric power alone and its average consumption is 4.9 l/100 km.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the Peugeot stand also displayed a series of bicycles. With them Peugeot wished to commemorate its 200th anniversary and to remind everyone that the French firm was born as a bicycle manufacturer at the dawn of the 19th century.

Source | Highmotor team