Peugeot HR1 concept: Racing to greener fields

The HR1 concept. Photo / Supplied

Peugeot is aiming to lead the race to greener motoring with a family of hybrid and electric vehicles based on its new Hybrid4 technology.

The first independent tests of a diesel-electric edition of the 3008 model have been completed in Europe, but Peugeot has placed an embargo on publication, until early in September, of anything other than the drivetrain.

The five-seat 3008 Hybrid4 offers what Peugeot calls a parallel hybrid. It uses a 2-litre HDi diesel engine driving the front wheels, and an all-electric set-up driving those at the rear.

The Lexus 400h uses a similar set-up albeit with a petrol engine.

At peak, the 3008 arrangement delivers 150kW and 500Nm of torque, but because of the performance of the electric engines, the model will return 3.7 litres/100km or 74.4mpg.

Testers claimed the diesel hybrid 3008 returned almost 2.8 litres/100km, or 100mpg, on slow runs in Europe and 6 litres/100km at motorway speeds.

CO2 emissions were below 99gr/km. There's also an electric-only mode, with a range of around 5km. The 3008 Hybrid4 will be the first diesel hybrid on the market and will be followed by other Peugeot hybrids.

The Hybrid4 technology is only the beginning, says the company - it is working on a plug-in version of the system that would be available by 2014.

Reports say the carmaker is likely to produce an all-new crossover vehicle, based on the HR1 concept shown at the 2010 Paris motor show.

Paired with Peugeot's ultra-efficient 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine, it will offer a 20km electric-only range, fuel economy of up to 3.4 litres/100km, and CO2 emissions of 80g/km.

Peugeot says it will continue to improve engine efficiency through its downsizing strategy for petrol and diesel, part of its micro-hybrid and full-hybrid plans.

Its target is a hybrid drivetrain that will deliver 2 litres/100km (141mpg) and 50gr/km of CO2.

The diverse line-up of models is part of Peugeot's plan to climb three places in the global carmaking pecking order - up from number 10 to seven - by 2015.

Over the next five years Peugeot will launch 14 new models.