Peugeot Diesel-Electric Hybrid to Achieve 70+ MPGPeugeot to release diesel-electric hybrid by the end of this decade

Peugeot to release diesel-electric hybrid by the end of this decade

Last week, we learned that Honda is ditching its slow-selling Accord Hybrid in favor of a Tier 2 Bin 5 diesel engine for the 2008 redesign. Although the "clean diesel" engine isn't likely to show up on the options sheet until the 2009 model year, the anticipation of a Honda mid-sized sedan with great fuel economy and decent low-end torque has automotive enthusiasts abuzz.

French carmaker Peugeot, however, is combining the technology that Honda is abandoning on the Accord with a diesel engine. The diesel-electric hybrid powertrain will first be used in the recently announced 308 hatchback.

Peugeot claims that the diesel-electric hybrid 308 will achieve over 70 MPG on the European cycle (58.29 MPG US). This compares with the 65.7 MPG (54.70 MPG US) figure for the Toyota Prius on the European cycle.

The release of a mainstream diesel-electric hybrid could throw some water on the fuel economy flame wars that have been taking over the web. By combining near-silent operation of all-electric power around town with the efficiency of a diesel motor during high-demand driving scenarios, customers will get the best of both worlds when it comes to fuel economy.

Peugeot hopes to have the diesel-electric hybrid 308 on European streets by the end of the decade. Currently, "all the work going on now is to reduce the cost," according to Peugeot head Frédéric St Geours.
Reference:Brandon Hill,dailytech