Auto 2011: Peugeot

Showing posts with label Peugeot. Show all posts

2011 Peugeot RCZ GT

What we're driving is the 2011 Peugeot RCZ, a shapely concept car from the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show that has finally reached production. It promises to make Peugeot an exciting brand again. Remember, this is the car company that made the Peugeot 205 GTi into the car of the decade in Europe during the 1980s, and then made it into a world-beating rally car, the 205 T16 Group B. Of course, we remember only the Peugeot 405 Mi16, the last car the company sold in the U.S. before it went home to France in disgrace in 1991.

Sure, we're talking about French cars here, but these were great-handling French cars, if rather less mighty when it came to construction integrity. Since then, the quality has slowly improved, but Peugeot has lost its way with the dynamics, producing ever-duller cars when it comes to coursing through corners. And we've been repeatedly told that Peugeot will never again build cars like the 205 GTi again, partly because Citroen is the cute partner in the PSA Peugeot Citroen concern and partly because (goes the unspoken word) the 205 GTi would challenge inexperienced drivers with its lift-off oversteer.

2011 Peugeot RCZ

In the past Peugeot is a manufacturer that has never really succeeded in capturing my attention. Their cars were just not as interesting as Citroen, and not as good to drive as Renault.

They have always been pleasant to look at, particularly the Pininfarina designed 406 coupe and the 407, but there was never really a car to stir the emotions.

They have a motorsport pedigree and have also created some incredible concept cars like the 907 of 2004 but they haven’t made a production car that has received significant praise for its performance and driving dynamics since the now legendary 205 GTi was launched way back in 1984.

Then, in 2007 Peugeot revealed a new concept car called the 308 RCZ, a great looking sports coupe which, thankfully, has become a reality in the exquisite form of the rather splendid Peugeot RCZ.

Now here’s a car that demands you look at it. Love it, or hate it the RCZ is a little attention grabber.

It is a small and very stylish 2+2 coupe, although as is the case with many 2+2’s you would be hard pushed to get anyone over the age of about 10 to actually fit in the back.

The RCZ is a bit special. It is more individual and better looking than its rivals which, in its price bracket, includes the Audi TT and BMW 1 series coupe.

The interior quality is outstanding; you won’t find much in the way of cheap, nasty plastic in the RCZ which is a major downfall of many modern cars.

The seats are comfortable for cruising but hold you in place when you feel like opening up a bit. It’s full of gadgets like parking assist, electric seats and windows, light and rain sensors, electronically-controlled rear spoiler, Bluetooth and a high-tech sound system.

The RCZ is available with a choice of three engines including a 2 litre diesel and two 1.6 litre turbo charged four cylinder units, one with 197HP and an entry level version with 156HP.

Our test car was the 156HP version with a six speed auto ‘box and both engine and transmission were impressive and capable of getting the RCZ from 0 to 100KM/H in a respectable 8.4 seconds.

The turbo four pot features a useful 240NM of torque available from just 1400 rpm giving it great flexibility and brisk acceleration and unlike some turbo cars it’s happy to rev, pulling strongly all the way to the redline.

Usually, in a car like this I would only consider a manual gear box but the auto in our test car did its job well and will undoubtedly be the most popular option in the UAE.

The car has a very smooth ride, despite its 19-inch wheels and is happy to cruise but when pushed in the corners it proves to be well balanced and disguises its front biased weight distribution well.

The car brakes quickly and stably from high speeds although the steering could do with being a bit more communicative. I would love to see a particularly high performance version of this car with about 250HP, the chassis feels like it could take it in its stride with ease.

Overall, a very enjoyable car to drive but, come on Peugeot, give us one with a bit more grunt and how about a panoramic glass roof?

Peugeot 508

The Peugeot 508 is a large family car launched in 2010 by French automaker Peugeot. It replaces the Peugeot 407 as well as the larger Peugeot 607, for which no more direct replacement is scheduled. It shares its platform and most engine options with the second-generation Citroën C5: the two cars are produced alongside one another at the company's Rennes Plant, and in Wuhan, China for sales inside China. The 508 sedan is 4.79 m (189 in) long, while the 508 SW (station wagon) is 4.81 m (189 in) long.

Luxury Peugeot 508 In White

A concept "hybrid-power" car prefiguring the style of the future 508 coupe, called the 5 by Peugeot was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010. Sources reported that 5 by Peugeot would go on sale in 2012.

Peugeot 508 Interior

Red Sedan Peugeot 508

Peugeot 508 Luxury Interior

PSA Peugeot Citroën will build the 508 in China in partnership with Dongfeng Motor, and plans to sell 65,000 units locally in 2012. A mid-2011 release is expected.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

Following the launch in Paris of the Peugeot 908 in February, a diesel-hybrid version of the new car has now been unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show. After Gumpert Apollo Hybrid and Porsche GT3 Hybrid, Peugeot is the next one with hybrid race car in the Le Mans. Gorgeous looking and hell-fast Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 is here. After months of speculations and tests Peugeot finally confirmed that 2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car will be used in test for this year Len Mans on 24th April 2011. The newcomer has already been set ambitious targets for the 2011 season.

The new 2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car has been designed to comply with the latest endurance racing regulations and will play a major part in the Brand's 2011 environmental strategy. Indeed, the combination of driving excitement with environmentally-respectful performance of the very highest level is ingrained into the heart of the Peugeot brand identity. This commitment will now also be championed by the HYbrid4 technology which combines diesel and electric power, two areas in which the Brand has forged a solid reputation for excellence.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

Peugeot’s regenerative breaking system will bring in boost of 80 hp and depend on lithium-ion batteries. This is similar to the first generation Zytek hybrid, utilizing a battery storage system instead of a flywheel-based unit which Porsche implemented in their race car 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Additional fuel saving will be achieved by using electric-only mode in the pit-lane, which is under ACO rules, and Peugeot 908 Hybrid4 will bank on it. Main power unit will be all-new 550-horsepower 3.7-liter V8 turbodiesel, backed up by a six-speed sequential gearbox.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

The system employed by the 2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car recovers and stores the kinetic energy generated under braking, before feeding it back into the driveline during acceleration. Using this recovered energy in this way significantly improves the efficiency of the power-train.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

The system provides a short power boost of 60kW (80hp) for a few seconds when it is activated. Recovered energy (500kJ between two braking phases) is stored in lithium-ion batteries before being automatically released to power the rear wheels under acceleration (there is no "push to pass" function). It will also be possible to run in electric only mode along the pit-lane and it is this mode that will be used for the car's homologation.

Beautiful hybrid car with powerful diesel engine. Unmistakable that is Peugeot. And another win for French car industry and their eco-friendly approcach to fast cars.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car – Technical Data

Chassis: Carbon monocoque

Gearbox: Sequential, hydraulic, six forward speeds plus reverse

Internal combustion engine

- Diesel, V8 HDi FAP

- Cubic capacity: 3.7 literss

- Power: 550 horsepower

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

Hybrid system:

- Power: 60kW (80hp) During energy delivery phases only

Delivery of recovered energy:

- To the rear wheels;

- 500kJ between two braking phases;

- Energy stored in lithium-ion batteries;

- Automatic delivery of energy under acceleration (no "push to pass" function).

- It is also possible to use the electric mode only along the pit lane.

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

Dimensions:

- Length: 4,640mm

- Width: 2,000mm

- Wheelbase: 2,950mm

- Height: 1,030mm

- Weight: 900kg

2012 Peugeot Sports Cars 908 Hybrid4 Race Car

Peugeot 207

The Peugeot 207 is a supermini produced by the French automaker Peugeot and unveiled in January 2006. According to JATO Dynamics, an automative market researcher, the model was the bestselling car in Europe in 2007. The 207 was launched in France, Spain and Italy during April 2006 and later on in other European, Israeli and Arabic markets. The UK launch was on 8 June 2006. Amicus and the TGWU, both unions representing workers at PSA's UK manufacturing plant in Ryton, Coventry, chose the same day to launch a campaign calling for the boycott of PSA's Peugeot and Citroën vehicles in the UK. The campaign was in protest against the company's plans to close the Ryton plant. Despite the boycott the sales of Peugeot in UK grew. Not to be confused with the 207 in the Brazilian market. That model is essentially a 206+ sold in some European markets. The 207 is the successor to the 206. The 207 is based on a modified version of the platform used for the Citroën C3, and is built in Poissy and a new plant near Trnava, Slovakia. Initially three petrol engines were available: 1.4-litre 8v with 75 or 16v 90 hp (67 kW) and 1.6-litre 16v with 110 bhp (82 kW; 112 PS). From late 2006, the 1.4 & 1.6 16v models were replaced by the new 1.4 vti 95 bhp (71 kW; 96 PS) and 1.6 vti a 120 bhp (89 kW; 122 PS) Valvetronic engines. Two turbocharged versions, one with 150 bhp (112 kW; 152 PS) , and the other with 175 bhp (130 kW; 177 PS) were also added to the range. The latter four engines result from the cooperation agreement between PSA and the BMW group. The diesel-powered engines available are a 1.4 litre 70 hp (52 kW) or a 1.6 litre HDi with maximum output of 90 or 110 hp (82 kW), the latter with the addition of an intercooler. The 207 is available as a three- or five-door hatchback, a 207 SW Station Wagon and a 207 CC coupé convertible. A GTI version is available with the 175 hp (130 kW) turbocharged 1.6 litre engine. It has sold well in Britain, being the sixth best selling car overall (and third in the supermini sector) in 2007 with more than 67,000 examples being sold.

Top Gear - Peugeot 207 vs Parkour (Free-Runners) - BBC

The Peugeot 207 Epure was a concept car presented at the Mondial de l'Automobile 2006 designed to preview the 207 CC coupé cabriolet which followed. The 207 Epure was fitted with a sophisticated hydrogen fuel cell.At the 2006 Geneva Motor Show Peugeot also unveiled a sporty concept car based on the 207 and badged as the 207 RCup. This Super 2000 version is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine with maximum output of 280 hp (209 kW) and is intended as a successor for the 206 World Rally Car which was successfully used by Peugeot in the World Rally Championship, where it helped the team winning the manufacturers' championship in 2000, 2001 and 2002.A Super 2000 version of the 207 is used in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship as well as several rally championships across Europe. The 2008 European Rally drivers' champion and the 2007 and 2008 Intercontinental Rally Challenge drivers' champions drove 207 Super 2000s.The Peugeot 207 was facelifted in July 2009. The car has been given a new front end and LED lights on the rear giving the car a bigger look.