Peugeot unveiling 508 RXH diesel-electric hybrid and concept HX1 plug-in diesel-electric hybrid at Frankfurt
29 August 2011
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| The 508 RXH diesel-electric hybrid goes on sale in Spring 2012. Click to enlarge. |
Peugeot will introduce the 508 RXH diesel-electric hybrid, the third model in the 508 range and the second deployment of the HYbrid4 diesel-electric drivetrain following its release on the 3008 HYbrid4 (earlier post), at the upcoming Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in September. The model is due to go on sale in Spring 2012.
Peugeot is also staging the worldwide debut of the six-seat multipurpose HX1 plug-in diesel-electric hybrid concept at the show.
508 RXH. The 508 RXH features a combined output of 200 bhp from its front-wheel drive 2.0 HDi FAP diesel engine and electric motor on the rear axle, and offers a choice of four HYbrid4 modes (Automatic, “Zero Emissions Vehicle”, Sport or 4WD) and exceptional fuel economy (4.0 l/100 km (59 mpg US) in the Combined Drive Cycle, and CO2 of 109 g/km).
The maximum combined power can reach 147 kW (200 bhp) by combining the 120 kW (163 bhp) from the 2.0 l diesel and the on-demand peak power of the 27 kW (37 bhp) electric motor. Up to 300 N·m (221 lb-ft) of torque is delivered to the front wheels by the HDi diesel unit and up to 200 N·m (148 lb-ft) to the rear wheels with the electric motor. The maximum combined value is 450 N·m (332 l b-ft) at lower road speeds, providing excellent traction in most driving conditions.
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| HX1 preview. Click to enlarge. |
HX1. The HX1 offers combined output of 299 bhp from the 2.2 liter HDi engine driving the front wheels and its rear axle electric motor. With an all-electric potential range of 30 km (18.6 miles) , the plug-in hybrid offers combined fuel consumption of 3.2 l/100 km (74 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 83 g/km.
The HX1 mates a 150 kW (204 hp) 2.2 liter HDi diesel, linked to an automatic 6-speed gearbox (the same powertrain as that used on the 508’s range-topping GT version) with a 70 kW (95 bhp) electric motor. The battery pack can be recharged by plugging in to a standard 240 V electric socket.
This may be the way to turn rather large gas guzzlers into low fuel consumption vehicles. Price price tag will be imposing, if ever mass produced for a selective market.
Posted by: HarveyD | 29 August 2011 at 08:22 AM
Looking forward to Peugeot following through and actually building these cars. Til then... it's just vaporware.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 29 August 2011 at 10:27 AM
These are range topping prestige builders for Peugeot.
What matters is that the technologies developed in these trickle down to the more mainstream models.
As @HD said, it is a matter of price - will people pay for hybridisation as well as for diesel - in the same car?
Even light hybridisation would work well, as long as it did not cost too much, + you get 4wd for free, which would be useful in snowy countries.
It probably comes down to local taxation policies - if these favor low CO2 cars, they will sell well, if they do not, the diesel hybrids will remain too expensive for most people.
Posted by: mahonj | 29 August 2011 at 10:31 AM
This method of hybridization should not be expensive, similar to what Hyundai and Kia are offering in their hybrids.. a small 20kw electric motor and a small nimh battery pack. Stop-start and brake energy recovery is done by the 8kw motor attached to the diesel engine. It does require a rear independent suspension system, and that is not commonly used in economy cars, but you do gain a 4wd vehicle in exchange.
Posted by: Herm | 29 August 2011 at 01:21 PM
@Herm:
See 2012 Subaru Impreza. AWD, 4-wheel independent suspension, 27 city/36 hwy mpg. Around $21,000 (USA) nicely equipped.
To compete with the above, the diesel/hybrid surcharge would have to be pretty low.
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 29 August 2011 at 02:48 PM
The level or degree of hybridization should be an option. Micro hybridization (with about 20% less fuel consumption) should be available at a nominal extra cost of $2K to $4K Mid-hybridization (with about 50% less fuel consumption or 60+ mpg) should be available at $4k to $8K. Full hybridization (with 100+ mpg) should be available at $8K to $12K extra cost over the ICE only version. Buyers would choose what fit them most.
Posted by: HarveyD | 29 August 2011 at 03:33 PM
The 508 use the same drive system as the 3008 and will, as Peugeot says, be on sale in spring 2012. Since the other mentioned car is affordable, this one will most likely be that, as well. It depends, of course, on what you compare to. Peugeot is not considered a premium car in Europe. However, the examples that Peugeot has presented show that the cost penalty for a diesel hybrid does not have to be prohibitively high. Just as with the DPF, other car manufacturers might (first criticize and then…) follow…
Posted by: Peter_XX | 31 August 2011 at 12:58 AM