The Peugeot 208 Hybrid FE concept will showcase the French manufacturer’s ultra-fuel-efficient city car ambitions when it debuts at next month’s Frankfurt motor show.
Previewed as a technology demonstration at March’s Geneva motor show, the 208 Hybrid FE is now a fully functional, seemingly production-ready concept.
Developed in collaboration with technology partner Total, the Peugeot 208 Hybrid FE claims combined cycle fuel consumption of just 2.1 litres per 100km and average CO2 emissions of 49 grams per kilometre.
Despite its super-frugal claims, Peugeot says the 208 Hybrid FE is also capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds, putting it just 1.2 seconds off the pace of the 208 GTi hot-hatch.
The Peugeot 208 Hybrid FE concept teams a 50kW 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor that generates 30kW as a motor, 100kW as a brake generator, and a 30Nm peak in either mode.
The 208 Hybrid FE boasts a string of other impressive numbers, claiming a 25 per cent improvement in aerodynamic efficiency (Cd now less than 0.25), 20 per cent weight reduction (down from 975kg to approximately 780kg), 10 per cent improvement in powertrain efficiency, and 25 per cent recovery of expended energy over a drive cycle.
Aiding aero is a set of skinny tyres wrapped around 19-inch alloy wheels with carbon flaps, rear-view cameras in place of conventional wing mirrors, a completely flat underbody and an extended tailgate spoiler.
Carbonfibre and composite materials replace the regular 208’s metal body and floor panels, while the windows and suspension components likewise employ lightweight materials and technologies.
The concept’s lithium-ion battery weighs 25kg, and works with the electric motor to facilitate pure-electric driving for a short range.
While the French manufacturer is yet to announce any production plans, technical manager of the Peugeot 208 Hybrid FE concept project, Christophe Mary, insists the technology is progressive rapidly.
“At the beginning of the project, the objective seemed very ambitious, of a very high level. It was,” Mary said.
“The two partners, Peugeot and Total, achieved it by combining their technological expertise. Peugeot Sport has contributed its expertise to the project and has identified new areas of development.
“Production and competition are progressing together.”
The Peugeot 208 Hybrid FE will debut at Frankfurt on September 10.
