Techtrend

To cope with the challenge of creating an environment-friendly vehicle, PSA Peugeot Citroën is developing an all-new technology combining Gasoline internal combustion engine and compressed air storage. "Hybrid Air" is a key step in the path toward fuel consumption of 2 l/100 km. The major innovation lies in the way the powertrain adapts to driving styles, adjusting independently to one of three modes: Air, Gasoline, Combined. Hybrid Air technology will be fitted on B-segment models starting in 2016.

The reason behind this innovation?

• To answer the worldwide challenges of greenhouse gas and the pollutants reduction


• To propose to our customers cars equipped with a new full hybrid technology affordable to the great majority in terms of price and performance

 An innovative full-hybrid gasoline solution. An important step towards the 2l/100 km car by 2020 

What is it exactly?

• A new type of full hybrid powertrain that uses petrol and compressed air:
  - An innovative combination of tried and tested technologies: a petrol engine, a unit to store energy in the form of compressed air, a hydraulic motor-pump assembly and an automatic transmission working with an epicyclic gear train.
  - The smart control system adapts the operating mode to the driver's commands and optimises energy efficiency in three different modes: ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle), petrol internal combustion and combined.


• An offer that fits closely with the Hybrid4 electric hybrid for more powerful vehicles in segments C and D


• A more competitive total cost of ownership (residual value, cost in use)


• A worldwide response to the need for energy-efficient vehicles. A technology that is suited to any climate and driving conditions and to any after-sales service network

What are the benefits for users?

• 69g CO2/km homologated performance, i.e. 2.9 l/100 km (internal combustion, manual gearbox, benchmark of 104g CO2/km) for a conventional body style, such as the Citroën C3 or Peugeot 208, without any specific adaptations


• Savings of 45% in city driving, offering a 90% increase in range in comparison with conventional engines

• 60% to 80% in ZEV mode in city driving, depending on the traffic


• An automatic transmission that offers a top-quality, smooth and pleasant drive

• Vehicle space maintained (boot, cabin, modular design)


• Reliable and robust: an essentially mechanical system, for easier and more economical maintenance


• Small environmental footprint. Easily recyclable materials

• Affordable


• Global. Can be industrialised on numerous markets


• Applicable to every passenger car and LCV segments, and intended for the B (82 bhp internal combustion engines), C (110 bhp internal combustion engines) and LCV segments

Patents & Partners

• 80 patents filed by PSA Peugeot Citroën


• Technology developed in partnership with the French State


• Strategic partners in this technology: Bosch and Faurecia