Automobile News

PSA Peugeot Citroën and Robert Bosch GmbH have entered into an important strategic partnership to build and market diesel hybrid technology. Under the agreement, Bosch is now responsible to co-develop, industrialise and supply electric motors and power electronics for its partner’s four-wheel-drive diesel hybrid powertrain project.

This innovative and futuristic diesel hybrid technology was unveiled at the recently concluded Paris Motor Show on the Peugeot Prologue and Citroën Hypnos concept cars, and will be an integral part of the participating companies’ vehicles starting in 2011.

The decision to build diesel hybrid technology signifies the importance bestowed by PSA Peugeot Citroen to embrace technologies that will take into account the various environmental hazards. Environment friendly and fuel efficient cars are becoming essential in today’s modern world, and generally of more importance than other factors, such as having an in-car DVD player, or nice rims. In fact, the hybrid technology rates highly in the company’s environmental strategy. With this innovative collaboration, PSA Peugeot Citroën has really set the momentum for the rapid introduction of hybrid diesel vehicles in Europe. Meanwhile, Bosch, the world’s leading automobile equipment manufacturer, also has an important role to enact as the supplier of the various component parts to build the system.

Bosch is bound by the agreement to supply the rear electric motor, the front-mounted high voltage alternator and the power electronics that will control them. Further, Bosch will also provide PSA Peugeot Citroën specifications other important components like an interface between the electronic components, an antilock braking system (ABS), and an energy recovery enhancer in the form of electronic stability programme (ESP).

The collaboration, which will involve brainstorming sessions among the designers and engineers of the two parties, is expected to optimise the hybrid powertrain’s operation with the simultaneous acceleration of acquisition of mutual expertise in this area.

Tags for this article: citroen, diesel, hybrid, peugeot

Fiat is all geared up to launch a special edition model of the Fiat 500 which will be exclusively on sale through the internet. The model in question, the 500byDIESEL is the offshoot of a creative collaboration between Italian car giant and fashion label DIESEL. The model takes inspiration from the 500 Sport version and comes coated in a beautiful metallic, black, or brown finish. The manufacturers claim that the idea behind the joint project was to create an ‘Urban Survival Vehicle’, which will adjust itself perfectly with town traffic, while at the same time maintaining its aesthetic appeal among the hordes of alternative brand lovers.

The 500byDIESEL is a significant venture for the company especially because it represents the company’s first foray into selling vehicles via the web and follows the success of the Abarth 500 on-line deposit offer, which facilitated customers to book 6 months in advance 200 of the performance supermini before they are finally made their appearance in the UK retail market.

The on-line version will be supported by a fully automated process that will enable customers to configure a 500byDIESEL, pay a deposit, order it direct from the factory, and keep tab on the car’s development, before making the final payment. Moreover, you can even coordinate with a geographically appropriate dealer regarding collecting the vehicle. All this will be done on-line.This definitely sets a new precedent, since although consumers have long been able to purchase equipment like car stereos, radios, sat navs or even things like Michelin tyres online, cars are scarcely, if ever, actually purchase solely online. The 500byDIESEL is therefore a sort of internet campaign for Fiat and will pave the way for the company to an entire new world of step into e-commerce and purchasing. Potential customers can now get in touch with the company to access the services via www.fiat.co.uk.

Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat UK described the recent development as a progressive and futuristic one and that reflects the company’s new route to marketing.