Peugeot launches e-HDi 308 and 508

Three new frugal variants of the 308 and 508 have joined Peugeot's local product range. Named 308 Access e-HDi (hatch and wagon) or 508 Active e-HDi, the new cars offer Euro 5 diesel combustion power allied with an auto-stop/start system and other fuel-saving elements to reduce consumption to as low as 4.4L/100km (308 hatch, 4.5 for the 308 wagon) or 5.2L/100km for the 508.

"I am convinced that the e-HDi technology will fast become the market standard," said Jean-Marc Gales, Director of the PSA Marques. "The e-HDi engines now offer the best performance when it comes to balancing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as well as comfort for the rider, because the motor can restart without noise or vibration."

According to the company's press material, the 82kW 1.6-litre engine is coupled to an electronically-controlled six-speed manual transmission and can rapidly restart thanks to a super capacitor that provides boosted electrical power for that purpose. The super capacitor is recharged on a trailing throttle and fuel economy is further enhanced by Peugeot specifying low-rolling resistance tyres for each of the vehicles. Based on driving in a heavy traffic environment, the company estimates that fuel use could be up to 15 per cent lower or as much as six per cent less in combined-cycle testing.

Peugeot plans to offer the new technology across all its models and the company anticipates global sales of e-HDi models to reach a million units by 2013.

Prices for the new models are $29,990 (308 Access e-HDi), $31,990 (308 Access wagon e-HDi) and $37,490 (508 Active sedan).

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