Frankfurt Motor Show 2013: Peugeot unveils planned reveals

PSA Peugeot-Citroën's Peugeot brand has released details of the new vehicles and technologies that it intends to show at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show (Germany). Much of the investment that has taken place in to these projects will be directed at strengthening the foundations of its product portfolio and giving the business a vital boost.

The event will be the first public showing of its new C segment competitor, the second generation 308, which was announced earlier this year (see France: 13 May 2013: Peugeot reveals new 308). However, alongside its mainstream offerings, the automaker will also present the 308 R Concept. This vehicle gives an indication of what a more performance-orientated version of this new vehicle would look like and feature. The vehicle is said to use a 270 bhp version of the automaker's gasoline (petrol) 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The power is transferred to the front wheels via a six- speed manual transmission and a Torsen differential. The concept also features lowered suspension and a wider track, as well as 19-inch wheels that hide 380-mm disc brakes at the front and 330-mm disc brakes at the rear.

Peugeot is also intending to show off a new high efficiency vehicle concept developed with oil company Total, the 208 HYbrid FE. The vehicle, based on Peugeot's 208 Access variant, it is being seen as a test bed for the automaker's latest thinking for the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaust emissions. Modifications include the use of lightweight materials, such as carbon fibre and carbon composite to replace steel in the bodywork and floor panels, polycarbonate replacing glass in the windows and polypropylene polymer mixed with natural fibres and resin for the interior materials. It also uses a transverse glass fibre resin rear blade to offer a "pseudo-MacPherson strut suspension" that allows for the replacement of the normal car's springs, lower wishbones and anti-roll bar. The decision to use these materials is said to cut 20% from the standard car's 975 kg weight. Peugeot has also managed to cut the aerodynamic drag of this vehicle by 25%, with a smaller front grille, tall and thin 19-inch wheels with aerodynamic flaps and the door mirrors replaced by rear facing cameras.

The vehicle's rear track is down by 40 mm at the rear, the roof is extended into the spoiler and an air deflector in its lower section draws air out from a totally flat floor. The vehicle is powered by a modified 1.2-litre version of the automaker's 1.0-litre naturally aspirated gasoline three-cylinder engine, improving torque by 25%, and which now uses lightweight materials and a higher compression ratio of 16:1. Changes have also been made to the valve diameter and design to prevent knock, while the cooling system now includes passages between cylinders to reduce heat exchange. Frictional losses have been reduced in the engine by 40% through new coatings. The fuel tank is just 20 litres. The engine is also joined by the 0.56 KWh battery and 30 kW electric motor taken from Peugeot's now defunct endurance racer which produces 22 lb/ft of torque. A further reduction in weight has been achieved by taking out the mechanical reverse gear from the transmission and instead using the electric motor, while further efforts have been made to improve its efficiency. This has resulted in the car achieving a fuel efficiency of 141.2 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 49 g/km, while also being capable of accelerating from 0–62 mph in eight seconds.

At the same time, Peugeot will also show off its HYbrid Air system, unveiled earlier this year (see France: 14 February 2013: Hot air? IHS Automotive's Global Powertrain Forecasting team explores PSA's "hybrid air" technology), as well as its new BlueHDi diesel emissions control technology. This combines oxidation catalysis, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and the diesel particulate filter (DPF) with additive. The use of SCR upstream of the DPF is said to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission by up to 90%, eliminates 99.9% of particulates by number and improves CO2 emissions and fuel economy by up to 4% compared to the Euro V diesel engines. It is said to easily comply with Euro VI emissions standards. The first vehicles to use this will be a 508 which will use a 2.0-litre engine in 150 bhp form to achieve 68.8 mpg and 105 g/km, and in 180 bhp form to reach 65.6 mpg and 112 g/km. The new 308 will also use a 1.6-litre variant producing 120 bhp and said to be capable of 91.1 mpg and 82 g/km.

The automaker's range is also set to benefit from a facelift to the 5008 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), reports Autocar. Images show the vehicle with a mildly tweaked exterior to accentuate its styling features. Changes are also expected to be made to the interior as well.

Outlook and implications

The event looks set to be an extremely important show for PSA, and particularly the Peugeot brand. According to Carlos Da Silva, IHS Automotive's manager of European Light Vehicle Sales Forecasting, "[Peugeot's] recent launches have been quite contrasted: the Peugeot 208 has not produced the usual 'boom' effect - all the more compared to the 205, 206 - and the car is just slowly reaching cruise speed." However, while the 2008 crossover is apparently being well received, he adds, "but, to be frank, the contrary would have been of great concern: crossovers – all the more B-segment ones – are basically the only concept that attracts West Europeans today so Peugeot is kind of forced to succeed!"

However, Da Silva says that the new 308 is "another story: it's a C-segment car, still the core West European segment par excellence. This is the Golf segment, the model any manufacturer wants to beat. However, today the competitive field is even more populated: the Koreans are eventually here with the Kia Cee'd and Hyundai i30; the German Premiums are all here – Audi A3, BMW 1-Series, Mercedes A-Class); and B-segment offerings are also becoming valid alternatives. So being able to compete and succeed in this arena would mean a lot to Peugeot, at least symbolically express the fact that they are still in the race and mean to stay a major player. Given the current troubled situation – of course much more sensitive in France than anywhere else – Peugeot needs the 308 to be a success".

He adds that the new second generation of this vehicle is "also an important car because it's the first one that is supposed to translate PSA's new brand strategy." This is approximately intended to have Citroën C-badged models being "the everyday man brand", while Peugeot and DS models represent a more premium approach. "The 308 is the first launch that really embodies this strategy," and will help to release the 2008 and second-generation Citroën C4 Picasso which are "currently trapped between the old and new."

To conclude, Da Silva says that while the new 308 is a key model for the company in that it is a C-segment hatchback, it comes "with an extra dose of psychological factor, essentially because it comes at a very tense moment in the brand history. Everyone at Peugeot would love to see this model representing a tipping point, the comeback of better days!" However, purely from a unit sales perspective, IHS Automotive anticipates that 308 will sell a peak of 188,000 units in the EU during 2015, less than half of the VW Golf's sales. This will also be well below the Peugeot 307 and even the previous generation 308 sold at their own peaks, although it will not be helped by PSA and Peugeot having a far more broad and more interesting range.