PSA Peugeot Citroën, Ricardo UK Ltd and QinetiQ have revealed plans for a £3 million project, codenamed Efficient-C, to develop a C-segment passenger car capable of ultra-low CO2 emissions while delivering competitive standards of vehicle performance and refinement.
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Efficient-C will involve the development and demonstration of a highly efficient parallel hybrid power train system installed in a Citroën Berlingo Multispace passenger car. Development of this vehicle is expected to take 18 months and with a potential for delivery in future products available to customers. The first phase of the programme will comprise a feasibility study, which will define the final vehicle architecture. Key technologies envisaged at this stage for in the Efficient-C vehicle include: an efficient PSA HDi common rail diesel engine, delivering peak performance of around 90 bhp while achieving Euro IV emissions levels with low-cost after treatment technology; a high output direct current (DC) electric motor-generator enabling stop/start operation of the diesel engine, torque assist, efficient electrical power generation, regenerative braking and all electric traction at low speed; an automated manual transmission (AMT) delivering high standards of refinement and driveability in a cost effective manner; an advanced energy storage system using NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) or Li-ION (Lithium-Ion) batteries, possibly combined with super capacitors, to achieve the energy and power densities required for efficient operation of the vehicle; and an advanced control and electronics architecture, enabling the many constituent technologies of the hybrid vehicle to operate at optimal efficiency.
The Efficient-C vehicle is targeted to achieve CO2 emissions of 89.5g/km over the combined ECE + EUDC drive cycle (this equates to a well-to-wheels CO2 emissions level of 100g/km, using pump grade diesel fuel). Exhaust emissions will be within Euro IV levels. Vehicle performance targets include a 0-100km/h acceleration time of less than 13 seconds and a top speed in excess of 150km/h.
PSA Peugeot-Citoren will deliver the base vehicle hardware and engineering support to the integration of hybrid technologies, including power train, energy storage and associated control systems. The company will also provide guidance to ensure production and cost feasibility and consumer acceptability.
Automotive engineering consultancy Ricardo will contribute programme management and hybrid vehicle systems integration expertise. It will also provide power train and vehicle control/electronics development, demonstrator vehicle build and production cost-benefit analysis.
Qinetiq will bring expertise in the areas of energy storage, power electronics, battery management and hybrid power train modelling. The company will also provide prototype energy storage and management hardware to support the demonstrator vehicle.
