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Customer LoginsPSA lays out vehicle electrification strategy
Groupe PSA has given some insight in to its plug-in vehicle strategy as part of a technology event held by the automaker.
IHS Automotive Perspective
- Significance: Groupe PSA has given some insight in to its plug-in vehicle strategy as part of a technology event held by the automaker.
- Implications: The announcement builds on the information revealed as part of its "Push to Pass" plan and previous hints at a change in its hybrid technology strategy.
- Outlook: IHS Automotive already includes PSA's gasoline plug-in hybrid technology in the range of crossovers and sedans, and its EV technology in smaller, sub-compact models as part of its forecast. We will continue to review our expectations during forthcoming forecasting rounds.
Groupe PSA has given some insight in to its electrified vehicle strategy as part of its Innovation Day 2016 technology event held at the automaker yesterday (25 May). The company said in a statement that in order to meet the requirements of consumers, powertrain developments will be consolidated within two modular platforms from 2019.
These are:
- Efficient Modular Platform (EMP2): This existing platform will support the deployment of automakers first gasoline (petrol) plug-in hybrid models.
- Common Modular Platform (CMP): developed in partnership with investor Dongfeng Motors, this is being dedicated to "compact city cars, core sedans and compact SUVs [sport-utility vehicles]." It also reiterated that the all-electric e-CMP which will also be financed by the pair.
It noted that both are optimised for weight savings compared to other existing platforms in its line-up, as well as wide range of length, width, height and wheel diameter specifications, and enable the use of a wide variety of technologies for each body styles.
With regards to the deployment of plug-in hybrid technology on EMP2, the company has said that it will feature a gasoline (petrol) engine with between 150 and 200 hp and a 80kW electric motor that will power the front wheels. Between them, there will be the installation of an eight-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, a second 80kW electric motor can also be installed at the rear for four-wheel drive applications, specifically pointing to future sport utility vehicle (SUV) and crossover utility vehicle (CUV) models in the pipeline. It has also suggested that it will offer two battery pack sizes depending on the application, with a 12 kilowatt hour (kWh)-size for sedan models and 13kWh for SUVs and CUVs, both of which are said to be 20-30% more powerful compared to competition, and which should give a range of up to 60 km under New European Drive Cycle (NEDC). This will be supported by the use of optimised aerodynamics and energy efficiency; controlled air intakes as well as energy regeneration during braking. Packaging will be helped by a "laterally positioned electric gearbox" and a compact battery mounted under the vehicle cabin. PSA has also noted that as an option, charging will be able to be achieved within 2.5 hours thanks to a 6.6kW charger adapted to 32 amp sockets. The first vehicles using this undergo a simultaneous launch in Europe and China from 2019 by the DS Automobiles brand, with seven DS, Peugeot and Citroën models offered with this type of powertrain by 2021.
As for the solution for electric vehicles (EVs), PSA is planning to combine a range of technologies in the e-CMP platform. This will feature a 115-hp electric motor that will be powered by a 50kWh lithium-ion battery, which is said to achieve a range of 450km under NEDC. Furthermore, it will also use a heat pump capable of functioning over a wide range of temperatures and which is said to greatly reduce the amount of energy required for heating compared to a standard system and help to provide a gain in operating range of up 50km. This powertrain will also be offered with two charging solution: a ultra-fast system which can charge the battery up to 80% level within 30 minutes, while fast home charging can be achieved through a 7kW onboard charger which can give a 100km range in 90 minutes or a full charge in eight hours. It will undergo a simultaneous launch in Europe and China during 2019, with four models available under the Peugeot, Citroën and DS brands by 2021.
Outlook and implications
The announcement builds on the information revealed as part of its "Push to Pass" mid-term strategy last month in which the company unveiled its plans and ambitions for the next six years. It also follows in the footsteps of comments made earlier this week at the introduction of the second-generation Peugeot 3008 where senior executives suggested this split between electric powertrains for smaller models and gasoline plug-in hybrids for its compact and premium models.
Indeed, while the latter is a change from its focus on using its speciality in diesel engines with some level of electrification, the company has already suggested a move in this direction with a number of concepts that it has released in recent years. This is due to a combination of factors, not least the fact that diesel is only primarily of interest to passenger car customers in Europe, and that it would be of little interest to customers in China where it is continuing to grow its presence. Other factors related to the demise of diesel hybrids in PSA's range include the cost of aftermarket treatments, complexity and the low down torque levels already available in a diesel engine.
The move with this technologies is part of the automaker ambitions to reduce CO2 emissions below 100 g/km for 60% of its vehicles by 2020. These technologies will also become more prevalent on its vehicles as its undertakes its model renewal programme over the next few years which will see 26 new passenger cars and eight new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) by 2021, the majority of which will use these new architectures. Amongst the models which IHS Automotive believes will feature the plug-in hybrid powertrain will be the second generation Peugeot 3008 (to be known as the Peugeot 4008 in China; and its the larger 5008 which will make a shift from the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) to the crossover category. Furthermore, this will also feature in the replacement for the Peugeot 508 and 308, as well as a new Citroën compact crossover and a D-segment DS sedan. On the EV front, the next-generation Peugeot 2008 looks set to be a beneficiary in this area. However, with this latest information we will add to our forecast during upcoming rounds.
About this article
The above article is from IHS Automotive Same-Day Analysis of automotive news, events and trends, and is a deliverable of the World Markets Automotive Service. The service averages thirty stories per day and also provides competitor and country intelligence. Get a free trial.