PSA announces hybrid, EV platform pair

FRANCE'S PSA Group has revealed a new global modular vehicle platform that will provide the basis for compact Peugeot, Citroen and DS models from 2019, alongside the EMP2 platform that is already rolling out under models such as the 308 small car and 3008 SUV.

In an announcement at an Innovation Day event in Paris this week, the French parent company confirmed that both the EMP2 and new smaller CMP platforms would support a variety of powertrains including electric and PHEV power, in addition to conventional combustion engines.

The CMP or Common Modular Platform was developed with PSA's Chinese partner Dongfeng Motors and will provide the basis for a range of small B and C segment vehicles, including an e-CMP pure electric model.

Little detail has been revealed about the zero emissions model, but PSA says the car will have a range of up to 450km and “ultra-fast charging” that will allow 12km of range to be pumped into the battery per minute.

A 50kWh lithium ion battery provides juice for the 86kW electric motor, which can propel the pure EV along at up to 150km/h.

The first electric car will silently roll out in 2019 and will be followed by three additional EV models in a progressive introduction up to 2021.

Peugeot's EMP2 or Efficient Modular Platform was announced in 2013, but the company has now confirmed that the architecture has the capacity to accommodate hybrid and electric locomotion, a feature it will demonstrate with a new model in 2019.

The platform will look after C and D segment cars including both passenger and SUV models, and will offer both two-wheel drive and 4WD transmissions starting with a petrol/electric plug-in hybrid.

A range of up to 60km will be possible in pure electric mode. When in hybrid mode, the vehicle will offer a 40 per cent fuel efficiency improvement over combustion-powered equivalents in urban running.

For all-wheel-drive applications, 80kW motors on each axle are fed by a 13kWh battery and work in conjunction with a front-mounted petrol engine, which contributes either 112kW or 149kW depending on the model via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Battery packs can be recharged in a standard four hours or less than two hours when using an optional fast charger, while interiors are said to offer no compromise in terms of space and practicality when compared with combustion-engined vehicle.

Between the first PHEV arrival in 2019 and 2021, PSA says it will gradually introduce seven plug-in hybrid models based on the EMP2 platform.

Speaking at the Innovation Day event, PSA Group research and development executive vice president Gilles Le Borgne said the new platforms would allow the company to meet the evolving demands of customers.

“These next-generation hybrid and electric technologies will complement our range of internal combustion engines, thereby enabling PSA Group to offer its customers a diversified line-up of technologies that meet all of their mobility needs,” he said.

“This innovative strategy clearly demonstrates the Group's commitment to global, sustainable solutions that will allow us to take on the energy transition challenge.”

A model of the PHEV system displayed at the event wore DS-branded wheels, which might indicate the first hybrid model will debut as an addition to the new splinter brand that was separated from Citroen last year.