Peugeot's Big Small Car Plans Unfold in Geneva

Motoring Channel Staff - 17/Feb/2006

On Tuesday the 28th of February, the Peugeot 207 will make its world premiere before playing an important role in Peugeot’s plans for the small car sector.

Not only are small cars back in vogue (due mainly to rising fuel prices) but it's predecessor, the 206, has been Peugeot's best-selling car to date - with 5.4 million built so far - and the French car maker expects the 207 to promptly follow suit.

To emphasise the importance of its 207, Peugeot has develop a stylish and sporty concept model to debut alongside the production-ready models appearing at the Motor Show. The 207 RCup, as it's called, makes a bold statement with its exterior styling, but of more import is the engine.

Giving Japanese automakers such as Honda something to think about, Peugeot has gifted the 207 RCup with an insanely high-revving naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre, 16-valve petrol engine expected to redline at about 9000 revolutions per minute (rpm).

Peugeot claims that the new engine produces 202kW or 280bhp @ 8500rpm, which is almost unheard of in a road-going 2.0-litre vehicle without the use of turbochargers.

While the daring 207 RCup generates 202kW of power, Subaru's 2.5-litre Impreza WRX manages 169kW - and that's with the help of turbocharging.

Power for the promising 207 concept is diverted to the front wheels via a 6-speed sequential gearbox and large 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 235/40R18 tyres.

As Peugeot explains, the 207 RCup communicates its sporty credentials first and foremost via its low stance, appearing to be glued to the road with its low ground clearance of only 100mm. Its two dual rear exhaust pipes hint at the engine's developing power, as the deep front air dam (with extra air extraction ducts in front of the front wheels) and the rear roof spoiler contribute aerodynamically as well as cosmetically.

Inside, the 207 RCup follows the design requirements of the Rally Super 2000 category with its single compartment chassis and its tubular roll cage protecting the vital space for the driver and the co-driver, who sit in competition bucket seats securely retained by four-point harnesses.

Peugeot says that the 207 RCup could be the design blueprint for a future Peugeot Sport competition programme - or perhaps even a super hi-po hot hatch for the road. Food for thought indeed...

Peugeot will also display a new hybrid innovation in Geneva. The 307 CC Hybride HDi diesel is a technology demonstrator, showcasing Peugeot’s knowledge in future powerplant design and environmental protection by applying hybrid technology to Peugeot’s class-leading 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine with DPFS (Diesel Particulate Filter System). Coupled with a 23kW electric motor the performance of this car represents a major breakthrough in further improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions when compared to similar vehicles equipped with a petrol hybrid system.

The hybrid diesel engine, based on equivalent performance, heralds a genuine new benchmark in terms of fuel consumption, since it combines the exceptional efficiency of a smaller capacity HDi engine with that of an electric motor designed mainly for use in town. Its mixed-cycle fuel consumption of 4.1L/100km means a gain of 30% compared o a standard 2.0-litre HDi  version.

It is combined with a transmission that functions in the traditional way, and an electric motor powered by energy stored in batteries. Kinetic energy recovered during the vehicle’s deceleration and braking phases allows the batteries to be recharged.

The thermal engine is a 1.6 litre HDi FAP (DV6TED4) with a power of 80kW, combined for the first time with the Stop & Start system (STT) (2.5kW). The STT function ensures the standby status – possible as soon as the speed is below 60 km/h – and restarting of the engine.

This new electric motor is a synchronous with permanent magnets type and is located between the thermal engine and the gearbox. It develops a continuous power of 22kW and a torque of 110Nm, but its capacity can be increased on an ad hoc basis to 31kW and 180Nm. Combined with the inverter, it operates in a voltage range of between 210 and 380 volts. The inverter controls the torque of the electric motor by regulating the current from the batteries.

In addition to the 207 RCup concept and the innovative 307 CC Hybride HDi, the arrival of the all-new 207 is likely to set new standards for the small car sector, embodying Peugeot’s new visual identity with a large single air intake and a generous front grille. The French car maker describes the ‘feline’ headlamps as having a powerful gaze, while two individual designs differentiate the appearance of the front of the car and provide the personality of the 207 – one being stylish and elegant, the other more dynamic and sporty.

Generously proportioned, the new 207 model is 4.03 metres in length, with a 2.54m wheelbase and width of 1.72m. The high-quality, welcoming interior is likely to put cars twice its value to shame. Three petrol and three HDi diesel engines are available at launch, followed soon after by more powerful petrol power units from the PSA Peugeot Citroën/BMW collaboration.