News 2010  : Peugeot makes world’s first production diesel hybrid

30 08 2010Peugeot makes world’s first production diesel hybrid

Now that petrol-electric hybrids are gaining a foothold in the automotive market (think of the growing range of models offered by the likes of Toyota/Lexus and Honda), the next big development afoot has been matching a diesel powerplant with an electric motor in a consumer-friendly package - something that PSA Peugeot Citroën has just achieved with its 3008 HYbrid4.

Making it official appearance at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, the 3008 HYbrid4 will have the distinction of being the world's first production diesel-electric hybrid. This model couples a 2,0-litre turbodiesel engine with a 26 kW electric motor in a parallel hybrid configuration that allows both power sources to either complement one another, or work independently, under certain driving conditions. This setup's combined output stands at 150 kW and a hearty 500 N.m of torque. The combined fuel economy and CO2 emissions are around 4,3-litres/100 km and 99g/km, respectively.

In addition to the aforementioned hybrid drivetrain, the 3008 HYbrid4 also features an engine start-stop module that automatically switches between the diesel and electric powerplants, a kinetic energy recovery system similar to F1's KERS to charge the on-board Ni-MH batteries under braking and deceleration, and an electronically-controlled sequential manual gearbox.
The 3008 HYbrid4 offers four selectable driving modes: ZEV Mode (Zero Emission Vehicle) propels the car solely under electric power, Four-Wheel Drive Mode engages both powerplants (petrol for the front wheels and electric motor for the rear) to offer some degree of "off-road" ability, Auto Mode lets the 3008 HYbrid4's on-board computer decide on the optimal combination of diesel and electric drive, while the Sport Mode allows swifter gearshifts at higher engine speeds and draws on both powerplants.

By modulating the diesel engine's drive to the front wheels and the electric's rear-wheel drive bias, Peugeot has neatly side-stepped the need for bulky transfer cases and differentials.

The Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 will make its world debut at Paris Motor Show at the end of September.