Auto Blog

Citroën has something called Sensodrive. It’s a manual gearshift change that uses no clutch pedal. This system reduces gearchange times and shaves fuel consumption a bit, especially in city driving. What it is interesting is that it’s only been installed in the C2 and C3 models so far. It would seem logical that this be installed in a van, a vehicle which usually gets more kilometers than a small hatchback. Finally, Senosodrive is making the jump. The new Nemo has gotten the option, which costs an extra €500. Coupled to the Nemo’s gearbox, the 1.4-liter HDI engine which develops 70 HP and gets 160 Nm of torque (120 lb-ft) while being able to carry 600 kg (1300 pounds). iIt does all of this whil producing just 119 g/km of CO₂ and burning 4.5 l/100 km of diesel (52 mpg U. S.) in the European mixed cycle. Don’t forget the PSA biodiesel bonus: the company’s diesels are guaranteed when running up to B30 blends.

[Source: Le Blog Auto]

We already mentioned PSA’s plans to downsize engines in an effort to improve fuel efficiency. The French company will showcase the progress its making during PREDIT (National Program for Terrestrial Transport Innovation), which is taking place this week in Paris. PSA will show a prototype co-developed with Valeo and IFP (the teams behind the low-carbon Smart). The prototype is a Citroën C2 with a two-cylinder engine, 8 valves and a mild-hybrid system with Stop&Start and regenerative braking. This allows the sub-subcompact to use 3.8 l/100 km (62 mpg U. S.) and emit just 90 g/km of CO₂. The “regular” C2 featuring a 1.1 liter I4 engine uses 5.8 l/100 km (40.5 mpg U.S.) and produces 138 g/km of CO₂. The C2 in the gallery below is the sporty version.

[Source: Autoplus (h/t to Dominique for the tip)]

Click on the image to enlarge

We’re driving, driving, driving like it’s nineteen-ninety-nine. Well, not exactly, but Citroën says that owners of its cars in the UK may actually be driving for less money per mile on average than they did eight years ago. Here in the states, gas was über-cheap in the year 2K, but in the UK, where both petrol and diesel has always been more expensive, the price was quite a bit steeper due to fuel protests in September of that year. In fact, Citroën claims that the increased efficiency of its models more than makes up for the increase in the price of gas that took place between the year 2000 and today, even when adjusted for inflation. It’s not all good news, though, as the price of oil continues to rise. “Whilst improved fuel efficiency and advances in vehicle design have reduced the cost of filling up, in real terms, the economic benefits of improved efficiency could soon be canceled out altogether if prices continue to rise at their current rate, although our commitment to reducing CO₂ and harmful emissions will not be lessened,” according to Marc Raven, spokesman for Citroën.

Press Release:

‘DRIVING LIKE IT’S 1999!’ – CITROËN TURNS BACK THE CLOCK ON RISING FUEL PRICES

As oil firms Shell and BP announce ‘better-than-expected’ first-quarter profits1, the price of filling up at the pump has soared by up to 39%2 since the crippling fuel protests of September 2000. Yet continuing advances in vehicle design means that some motorists have actually been able to reduce their costs.

Research by Citroën shows that drivers could be paying up to 27% less per mile for fuel, in real terms, than they were eight years ago - despite the cost of unleaded petrol passing the unprecedented £5-a-gallon mark across many parts of the UK.

With unleaded petrol at 108.1 pence per litre2, it costs just 7.99 pence per mile to fuel a Citroën C1 1.0i city car, whilst back in September 2000 a similar model (Citroën Saxo 1.1i) would have cost an inflation-adjusted 10.94 pence3 per mile in fuel.

And potential savings are not just limited to smaller cars. Citroën’s C4 1.6HDi family hatchback boasts 62.8 mpg overall and costs 8.49 pence per mile to run. During the September 2000 fuel protests, its predecessor - the Xsara – would have cost 11.12 pence3 after inflationary adjustments.

“Whilst improved fuel efficiency and advances in vehicle design have reduced the cost of filling up, in real terms,” explains Marc Raven, spokesman for Citroën, “the economic benefits of improved efficiency could soon be cancelled out altogether if prices continue to rise at their current rate. Although our commitment to reducing CO2 and harmful emissions will not be lessened.”

Cost Per Mile (p) based on UK National Average Fuel Costs

Cost Per Mile (p) based on UK National Average Fuel Costs
	Sept 2000	Apr 2008		Sept 2000	Apr 2008
Saxo 1.1i	8.79	10.94*	Xsara 1.9TD 90hp	8.93	11.12*
C1 1.0i		7.99	C4 1.6HDi 92hp		8.49
SAVING		27%	SAVING		23.7%

*Figures adjusted for inflation³

Micro hybrid. Start-stop. Whatever we call it, people like it. The micro hybrid system, currently available in cars like the Smart fortwo and through aftermarket suppliers like Ricardo, is preferred by three out of four drivers, the UK’s Motorpoint car supermarket group found in a recent survey. This technology is cheap to implement (compared to full hybrid systems) and is available today, but isn’t exactly widespread. Only Citroen, BMW and Mini offer it on non-hybrid vehicles. Motorpoint found that a start-stop system, which shuts down the engine when the car isn’t moving and then quickly restarts it when the driver pushes the accelerator, would be a hit among drivers because it gets up to an eight percent fuel cost reduction boost in urban driving. The CO₂ emissions are a side benefit in the public’s mind. More details after the jump.

Press Release:

Motorists turned on by untapped stop-start engine technology savings

Three out of four drivers say they would buy a car that automatically cuts and restarts the engine in traffic in a massive thumbs-up for technology that is already in production but suffers from restricted availability.

Fuel costs saving of up to 8% in urban driving is the top reason for the demand voiced in the latest survey of motorists by Motorpoint, the UK’s leading car supermarket group. But the technology also offers a parallel reduction in CO2 emissions.

In practice, the technology – essentially a beefed up starter motor and enhanced engine electronics – stops the engine when the driver comes to a halt and takes the car out of gear. Pressing the clutch automatically restarts the car.

Today only Citroen, BMW and Mini are offering stop-start on non-hybrids but most manufacturers are expected to introduce stop-start, on both manuals and automatics, over the next few years - either across the range or on designated ‘green’ models.

Motorpoint operations director Paul Winfield said: “In these days of increasing fuel prices and demands for lower CO2 emissions, its surprising that this tried and tested technology isn’t already more widespread.

“We always maintain a mix of stock that offers our customers what they tell us they want. This survey shows an overwhelming vote in favour of stop-start technology. We already stock new and nearly new Citroen, BMW and Mini models and we shall make sure, as more manufacturers make the technology available, that we stock those cars too.”

[Source: Motorpoint]

FIA President Max Mosely has sent a letter to Formula One teams outlining the plans for phasing in hybrid systems in the sport. Beginning in 2009, the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) will be integrated into the transmissions of F1 cars. The KERS is a mechanical system that captures kinetic energy during vehicle deceleration using a flywheel mechanism. Unlike production vehicle hybrids that convert kinetic energy to electrical energy and store it in a battery, the KERS is far more compact and lighter, adding only about 55lbs to the car. The amount of energy that can be stored is limited but for this type of application it is actually useful since the cars are constantly accelerating and decelerating from corner to corner.

The FIA will phase in the use of KERS over the next four years in conjunction with other changes to reduce the size and output of the engines. A selectable power boost button on the steering wheel will allow the drivers to decide when to use the stored energy for a quick boost in power. New rules that are expected to be enacted for 2013 will replace the current 2.4L V-8 engines with even smaller turbocharged engines.

[Source: F1-Live]

click to enlarge

Shortly after announcements that Th!nk would be selling its wares in the U.K. and possibly Australia comes news that the Norwegian maker of small electric cars is launching operations in America. Th!nk’s City electric car was designed with the American market in mind, so this news should not be too surprising. There are no hard dates yet announced regarding when the vehicle will actually be available, but having a presence in the states is surely a good sign.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]