PSA Peugeot Citroen looking for partners to make Hybrid Air tech a reality due to high development costs

Whenever some form of new technology presents itself, one can be sure that obstacles would befall those responsible. PSA Peugeot Citroen is now facing that conundrum as the company is actively scouting for potential collaborators in order to make the Hybrid Air technology come true.

Said technology was previewed this year on the Peugeot 208 Hybrid Air 2L and the Citroen C4 Cactus Airflow 2L concepts. The technology harnesses energy via a compressed air tank during braking which can then be used to power the wheels to aid acceleration.

Unfortunately, for the entire system to become a reality, a production run of 500,000 cars annually is required for the project to make “economic” sense, according to research and development head, Gilles Le Borgne, in an interview with Autocar.

peugeot 208 hybrid air 2l a

The problem is, despite the technology posing a significant improvement, new hydraulic pumps along with specialised gearboxes and 300-bar gas tanks are required as part of the entire system. “The system needs quite a lot of components not currently found in cars,” adds Le Borgne.

However efficient the system may prove to be, response for potential collaborators for the project have been slow according to component supply group, Bosch, with whom PSA is working through. The fact that “Hybrid Air is ready for development,” according to Le Borgne, makes it all the more frustrating.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Gregory Sze

An “actor” by training, Gregory Sze realised that he has had enough of drama in his life. Following his number one passion (acting was actually number two), he decided to make the jump into the realm of automotive journalism. He appreciates the simple things in life – a simple car with nothing but back-to-basics mechanical engineering and minimal electronics on board.

 

Comments

  • Obviously (Member) on Oct 27, 2014 at 6:04 pm

    Very promising tech…looks like it provides quite a number of the advantages of petrol-electric hybrids without such drawbacks as battery life span, high cost of system production and flammability of the lithium-ion cells. The air system seems to have drawbacks too since it doesn’t seem like the compressor will run when the engine stops in the inevitable engine start-stop system that will be installed alongside it. I may be wrong, though. If they can circumvent that, it’ll be a pretty good system for city driving. I am doubtful that it will be able to match the performance of an electrified powertrain, though.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Obviously (Member) on Oct 28, 2014 at 9:37 am

      By compressor, I mean the air-conditioner’s compressor.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • I hope they collaborate with volvo

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Alex (Member) on Oct 27, 2014 at 8:12 pm

    This is one hybrid that truly make sense. The energy storage would not end up polluting mother earth! It also store energy better than flywheel and is truly a technical solution.

    If not mistaken air hybrid concept has been used in large vehicle such as garbage truck as sheer size for the accumulator is not a concern.

    So I guess this concept is more suited to SUV and not compacts. But hey, if we can accept high riding but unrugged compact, this might be a great idea!. It would be better if the air can be charge at pump station!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Obviously (Member) on Oct 28, 2014 at 9:40 am

      From the video, they seem to fit the compressed air reservoir in the “transmission tunnel” part of the car even though it is a FF (front engine, front wheel drive) car. that is a very interesting place to store the tank but it’ll intrude a wee bit into the passenger space in a non-SUV. Do-able, though. A good trade-off, I reckon.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • Obviously (Member) on Oct 28, 2014 at 9:51 am

        Very interesting and quite a practical place to store the tank*

        But most cars already have a sort of pseudo transmission tunnel anyway, probably for the exhaust pipes to run along. It won’t be that much of a compromise, I suppose.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Middle Age Driver (Member) on Oct 27, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    Give it to the Chinese, they will quickly make it economical to produce for all cars…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Lpost on Oct 28, 2014 at 12:23 am

      U must be kidding.. Thy will make gabbage..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
      • Obviously (Member) on Oct 28, 2014 at 9:52 am

        Depends on which Chinese you give it to. Not all of them are bad and not all of them are good. They’re just human.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required