Paris Motor Show 2014: PSA, Renault to display high-efficiency concepts

As part of their displays for the forthcoming Paris Motor Show (France), both PSA Peugeot-Citroën and Renault will be showcasing high efficiency passenger car concepts. The vehicles have been developed as part of an initiative rolled out by the French Ministry for the Economy, Industrial Renewal and Digital Affairs under the government's wider "New Industrial Plan". Under the guidance of the "Plateforme Française Automobile" the "Fuel consumption of less than 2L/100km for all" has sought to promote the development of technology building bricks to support a reduction in CO2 emissions in a financially accessible way for many customers by 2020, at a cost customers can afford. According to Renault, the French state will contribute EUR250 million (USD323.7 million) in support with around 20 research and development (R&D) projects in the frame for support during 2014.

After Peugeot revealed that it will unveil the 208 Hybrid Air Concept as part of this initiative last week (see France: 11 September 2014: Paris Motor Show 2014: Peugeot to reveal 208 Hybrid Air concept, 308 GT variant), this has been followed by it stablemate Citroën with its own concept related to this plan that is said to meet the 2L/100km target. The Citroën C4 Cactus Airflow 2L concept uses the same "Hybrid Air" powertrain as the 208, pairing a three-cylinder, naturally aspirated 1.2-litre Puretech gasoline (petrol) engine with a compressed air energy storage unit, a hydraulic pump/motor unit and an automatic transmission with an epicyclic gear train, first shown over 18 months ago (see France: 14 February 2013: Hot air? IHS Automotive's Global Powertrain Forecasting team explores PSA's "hybrid air" technology). Efforts have also been made to make the system more efficient through reducing engine friction and cutting weight through the use of composite materials for the two compressed air tanks. Further weight-saving technologies have been also used to reduce the overall weight of the car by around 100 kg to 865 kg. This includes the use of aluminium, high yield steels and composite materials for structural body components such as the floor and side members, which are said to offer a similar crash performance. The company also said it has used carbon-based composite materials for the suspension springs, tailgate, rear bench, side panels, roof, roof cross-members, wings, doors and Airbump system, while aluminium is in use for the engine cradle. It added that the thickness of the exhaust system was reduced while translucent polycarbonate was used for the panoramic sunroof. Aerodynamics have also played a significant part in meeting this target. Included in the concept has been active engine cooling vents at the front, side deflectors and mobile shutters for the wheels activated and controlled by centrifugal force. Other adjustments have been made to the side vents, spoilers, door mirrors, slimmer tyres and smoothed vehicle bottom which combined have reduced drag by 20%.

However, Renault has sought to push the boundaries even further with its concept, claiming fuel efficiency of 1L/100km, equivalent to CO2 emissions of 22 g/km, according to its own statement. Bearing little relation to its current generation vehicles, the EOLAB concept is said to achieve this figure through 100 technological innovations while "maintaining established B-segment levels of performance, practicality and affordability." Like PSA, Renault has focused a great deal of attention on aerodynamics and weight savings in conjunction with its partners. On the aerodynamic front, the car features a drag coefficient of 0.235 Cd - 30% less than the equivalent Clio – through the use of features such as active ride height, which offers an Access mode, Urban mode and Extra-Urban mode depending on the specific requirements at a particular point; active wheel vents which react to brake temperature; as well as active front spoiler and active rear flaps. The body of the vehicle has also been designed to offer benefits from a narrow track, lower roof and a focus on the rear design of the vehicle. The weight-saving technologies - which combined are said to amount to 400 kg below an equivalent Clio - include smaller brakes with no master cylinder and focus on integration in to a single unit; narrower tyres; ultra thin windscreen; magnesium roof and fixed bonnet. For the interior, Renault has included thinner interior trim & lighter plastics containing air bubbles; optimised seat structures and lightweight dashboard cross member. It also features a new hybrid electric powertrain which combines Renault's existing 57kW/95Nm naturally aspirated 1.0-litre gasoline engine with a new clutch-less three-speed transmission which features a permanent magnet electric motor in the clutch housing providing a further 40kW of power and 200Nm of torque. Electric power is stored in a 6.7kWh battery which under electric power alone achieves a range of 60km, and which has been optimised for this hybrid application. The transmission works in either internal combustion or full electric mode.

Separately, PSA has also announced that Peugeot will show off a further concept car designed with the crossover market in mind. According to the automaker, the Quartz Concept stands at 4.5m long and 2.06m wide, with a design that is performance orientated with long bonnet and wide arches featuring 23 inch wheel, as well as scissor doors. Other external features include LED light system and glass roof. The interior benefits from what Peugeot calls i-Cockpit, to enable the driver to focus on driving through the use of small steering wheel, each reach buttons and head-up display. The interior, which seats four occupants also benefits from retractable harnesses, and materials such as basalt, digitally woven textiles made from recycled water bottles and composites. Peugeot has fitted a plug-in hybrid powertrain to this vehicle, which combines a 270-bhp version of its 1.6-litre gasoline four-cylinder engine producing 330Nm of torque. This is combined with a front and rear axle both producing 85kW of power They also assist with battery recharging. On electric power alone it is said to reach a range of 31 miles. It also features pneumatic suspension to adjust the ride height.

Outlook and implications

Unsurprisingly perhaps, both PSA and Renault have embraced this French government initiative to support a reduction in emissions. While the country has been keen to push electric vehicles (EVs) in the market, it must becoming increasingly clear to those in power that even with the support that it is currently offering to develop demand for these vehicles, consumer acceptance is likely to continue to be slow, and so automakers must also look at wider vehicle technologies to achieve reductions. While these technical concepts come from different standpoints - PSA uses existing products as a starting point, while Renault's is largely a clean-sheet design - many of the tactics used are the same. Certainly weight saving is one key area where progress will be made through new materials and the way they are used, as many consider that passenger cars have become bloated in recent years as demand for safety and comfort technology has surged. Active aerodynamics through electrically adjustable spoilers have been used as marketing tools for years, while recently active grille shutters has made an appearance to support efforts to reduce emissions through controlling engine temperatures and improving airflow. However, these vehicles show the many options open to automakers as the pressure to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel efficiency, particularly towards 2021 when new regulations are brought in to play in Europe. The decision by Renault to show off this concept using a hybrid powertrain is somewhat at odds to the investment it has made in EVs, suggests that it has now seen that other measures will need to be required for its passenger cars to potentially bridge the gap with internal combustion engines. Indeed, the company has said in its statement that this technology will begin being used in its vehicles by 2020. PSA on the other hand is still pursuing its Hybrid Air initiative alongside partner Bosch. IHS Automotive expects this technology to be rolled out in 2016 with the next generation Citroën C3 and will be joined by the second-generation Peugeot 208 in 2019. However, we see the technology being slow to gain traction, selling just 12,000 units worldwide of these vehicles by 2020.