BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën Form Joint Venture to Produce Hybrid Components

Already partners in developing 4-cylinder petrol engines, BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën have decided to set up 50-50 equity joint venture named the BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification, which will primarily focus on developing hybrid components. Sharing the cost of research and development as well as production and component purchasing, the two companies expect to achieve significant economies of scale.

The hybrid components in question include battery packs, E-machines, generators, power electronics and chargers, alongside the necessary software to operate them that will also be jointly developed. The new technologies will be used by the two automakers for their upcoming electric vehicles and could be sold to other companies as well.

The joint venture is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2011 and it’s estimated that the first series production hybrid components will arrive in 2014.

“This cooperative venture will enable us to achieve significant economies of scale in the field of electrification. It also represents an important step on the road to sustainable mobility”, said Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

“With this joint venture, we are sure to develop and expand our expertise and to build a European leader in the field of automotive hybrid innovation”, noted Philippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën.

READ MORE - BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën Form Joint Venture to Produce Hybrid Components

BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën Form Joint Venture to Produce Hybrid Components

Already partners in developing 4-cylinder petrol engines, BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën have decided to set up 50-50 equity joint venture named the BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification, which will primarily focus on developing hybrid components. Sharing the cost of research and development as well as production and component purchasing, the two companies expect to achieve significant economies of scale.

The hybrid components in question include battery packs, E-machines, generators, power electronics and chargers, alongside the necessary software to operate them that will also be jointly developed. The new technologies will be used by the two automakers for their upcoming electric vehicles and could be sold to other companies as well.

The joint venture is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2011 and it’s estimated that the first series production hybrid components will arrive in 2014.

“This cooperative venture will enable us to achieve significant economies of scale in the field of electrification. It also represents an important step on the road to sustainable mobility”, said Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

“With this joint venture, we are sure to develop and expand our expertise and to build a European leader in the field of automotive hybrid innovation”, noted Philippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën.

By Csaba Daradics

READ MORE - BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën Form Joint Venture to Produce Hybrid Components

BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën Form Joint Venture to Produce Hybrid Components

Already partners in developing 4-cylinder petrol engines, BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën have decided to set up 50-50 equity joint venture named the BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification, which will primarily focus on developing hybrid components. Sharing the cost of research and development as well as production and component purchasing, the two companies expect to achieve significant economies of scale.

The hybrid components in question include battery packs, E-machines, generators, power electronics and chargers, alongside the necessary software to operate them that will also be jointly developed. The new technologies will be used by the two automakers for their upcoming electric vehicles and could be sold to other companies as well.

The joint venture is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2011 and it’s estimated that the first series production hybrid components will arrive in 2014.

“This cooperative venture will enable us to achieve significant economies of scale in the field of electrification. It also represents an important step on the road to sustainable mobility”, said Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

“With this joint venture, we are sure to develop and expand our expertise and to build a European leader in the field of automotive hybrid innovation”, noted Philippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën.

By Csaba Daradics

READ MORE - BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën Form Joint Venture to Produce Hybrid Components

Euro NCAP's Best and Worst Performers of 2010

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), which is similar to the American IIHS testing regimen, has released a list with the safest car in each vehicle category and the two worst performers overall of 2010. The cars that attained the coveted five star rating and achieved the highest overall score in their respective segment are:

------ Executive category: BMW 5 Series
------ Small Family category: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
------ Supermini category: Honda CR-Z
------ Small off-road 4×4 category: Kia Sportage
------ Small MPV category: Toyota Verso

On the other side of the fence are two models that achieved the poorest results of 2010. These are the Citroen Nemo with three stars and China's Landwind CV9 that received only two stars.

The European body noted that the cars in the top list "accomplished a high combined score based on the scores in each of the individual four areas of Euro NCAP’s assessment, while notably exceeding the thresholds for a 5 star overall rating". Along with the five top achievers, Euro NCAP said that the Suzuki Swift, Kia Venga, BMW X1, VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra, Citroen C4 all exceeded the 80% mark in overall score putting them on the runner-up list for the safest cars of 2010.

Commenting on the results, Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General said: “Every year, car manufacturers constantly work to innovate and make their cars better and safer for the driver, whatever the size of the vehicle. The presence in these categories of high performing 5 star cars demonstrates car manufacturers’ commitment to safety for all sizes of vehicles.”

In early 2009, Euro NCAP implemented tougher crash testing procedures that make it more difficult for vehicles to receive a five-star rating. Last year, the European body crash tested a total of twenty-nine vehicles from numerous categories, of which 65 per cent reached the five star rating, compared to 90% in 2009...

READ MORE - Euro NCAP's Best and Worst Performers of 2010

Euro NCAP's Best and Worst Performers of 2010

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), which is similar to the American IIHS testing regimen, has released a list with the safest car in each vehicle category and the two worst performers overall of 2010. The cars that attained the coveted five star rating and achieved the highest overall score in their respective segment are:

------ Executive category: BMW 5 Series
------ Small Family category: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
------ Supermini category: Honda CR-Z
------ Small off-road 4×4 category: Kia Sportage
------ Small MPV category: Toyota Verso

On the other side of the fence are two models that achieved the poorest results of 2010. These are the Citroen Nemo with three stars and China's Landwind CV9 that received only two stars.

The European body noted that the cars in the top list "accomplished a high combined score based on the scores in each of the individual four areas of Euro NCAP’s assessment, while notably exceeding the thresholds for a 5 star overall rating". Along with the five top achievers, Euro NCAP said that the Suzuki Swift, Kia Venga, BMW X1, VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra, Citroen C4 all exceeded the 80% mark in overall score putting them on the runner-up list for the safest cars of 2010.

Commenting on the results, Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General said: “Every year, car manufacturers constantly work to innovate and make their cars better and safer for the driver, whatever the size of the vehicle. The presence in these categories of high performing 5 star cars demonstrates car manufacturers’ commitment to safety for all sizes of vehicles.”

In early 2009, Euro NCAP implemented tougher crash testing procedures that make it more difficult for vehicles to receive a five-star rating. Last year, the European body crash tested a total of twenty-nine vehicles from numerous categories, of which 65 per cent reached the five star rating, compared to 90% in 2009.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

READ MORE - Euro NCAP's Best and Worst Performers of 2010

Euro NCAP's Best and Worst Performers of 2010

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), which is similar to the American IIHS testing regimen, has released a list with the safest car in each vehicle category and the two worst performers overall of 2010. The cars that attained the coveted five star rating and achieved the highest overall score in their respective segment are:

------ Executive category: BMW 5 Series
------ Small Family category: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
------ Supermini category: Honda CR-Z
------ Small off-road 4×4 category: Kia Sportage
------ Small MPV category: Toyota Verso

On the other side of the fence are two models that achieved the poorest results of 2010. These are the Citroen Nemo with three stars and China's Landwind CV9 that received only two stars.

The European body noted that the cars in the top list "accomplished a high combined score based on the scores in each of the individual four areas of Euro NCAP’s assessment, while notably exceeding the thresholds for a 5 star overall rating". Along with the five top achievers, Euro NCAP said that the Suzuki Swift, Kia Venga, BMW X1, VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra, Citroen C4 all exceeded the 80% mark in overall score putting them on the runner-up list for the safest cars of 2010.

Commenting on the results, Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General said: “Every year, car manufacturers constantly work to innovate and make their cars better and safer for the driver, whatever the size of the vehicle. The presence in these categories of high performing 5 star cars demonstrates car manufacturers’ commitment to safety for all sizes of vehicles.”

In early 2009, Euro NCAP implemented tougher crash testing procedures that make it more difficult for vehicles to receive a five-star rating. Last year, the European body crash tested a total of twenty-nine vehicles from numerous categories, of which 65 per cent reached the five star rating, compared to 90% in 2009.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

READ MORE - Euro NCAP's Best and Worst Performers of 2010

The new Citroen DS3 Racing

Check out the new sporty hatch from Citroen - the DS3 Racing. Based on the DS3 DSport, the car is powered by a BMW-PSA

204bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, front wheel drive with a six-speed manual box. The car goes from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 146mph.

Apparently there are only 200 cars available for consumers in the UK. The car costs £23,100 which makes it more costlier than a MINI Cooper JCW.

The car is available in two colour schemes: one with Obsidian black body with sport orange roof an one polar white body and carbon grey roof.

READ MORE - The new Citroen DS3 Racing

The new Citroen DS3 Racing

Check out the new sporty hatch from Citroen - the DS3 Racing. Based on the DS3 DSport, the car is powered by a BMW-PSA

204bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, front wheel drive with a six-speed manual box. The car goes from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 146mph.

Apparently there are only 200 cars available for consumers in the UK. The car costs £23,100 which makes it more costlier than a MINI Cooper JCW.

The car is available in two colour schemes: one with Obsidian black body with sport orange roof an one polar white body and carbon grey roof.

READ MORE - The new Citroen DS3 Racing

2010 Art Car Citroen Survolt Concept

The Marseille- born artist took Citroen’s all-electric Survolt concept racer and adorned it with a psychedelic, fluorescent paint scheme. Not one for Citroen is displaying several of its new production and concept cars including a Survolt racer turned-art-car.

According to the French carmaker, the contemporary artist was one of the sources of inspiration for the styling of the original Survolt. The Italian artist won first prize in Citroen’s Créative Awards, beating out some 700 other entrants. Melchiorre’s car will be launched next year along with other DS3 personalization options.

READ MORE - 2010 Art Car Citroen Survolt Concept

2011 Citroen C4

The new Citroen C4 boasts a real positive energy – with exceptional levels of quality, style, interior space and occupant comfort, as well as responsive handling and impressive environmental credentials. It will be produced at the Mulhouse PSA Peugeot Citroen plant in France and will premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September 2010.

2011 Citroen C4 is stability and balanced proportions design. Defined and flowing surfaces, such as the purposeful front end and rear spoiler, hint at the model’s optimised aerodynamics. The tasteful addition of chrome detailing combines with the dynamic headlight styling and sculpted alloy wheels to give the new model a premium presence. It has .33m long, 1.79m wide and 1.49m high.

Citroen C4 has some features of existing technology, such as EGS (Electronic Gearbox System), hill start assist, automatic electric parking brake, Lane Departure Warning System and Xenon dual-function directional headlamps, Citroën C4 will be available with convenient and useful new technologies – some of which are unique to the segment. These include a new blind-spot monitoring system, a cornering light function, cruise control and speed-limiter with road speed memory settings, and an innovative new service called eTouch.

New C4 uses the latest Citroen technology to reduce its environmental impact. New Citroen C4 will be available with Citroen’s new micro-hybrid e-HDi powertrains, which feature the latest generation Stop & Start system that helps deliver CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km at launch – and 99g/km on future models. Michelin Energy™ Saver tyres are also specified to help achieve these low emissions and to boost fuel economy. The control of the car’s overall weight – in spite of the increased dimensions and added equipment – has been achieved using new technologies, such as laser welding, in the model’s construction.

READ MORE - 2011 Citroen C4

2011 Citroen DS3 R3 Rally Car

2011 Citroen DS3 R3 is versatile car, high performance and yet affordably-priced. It will be available in both in kit and ready-to-race versions. The Citroen DS3 R3 Rally car comes with an upgraded 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four producing 210bhp and 350Nm / 258.2 lb-ft of peak torque with the steel body shell reinforced by a welded, multi-point roll cage.

The DS3 R3 is equipped with a six-speed sequential transmission, which the company claims allows for gear changes to be made twice as quickly over a manual gearbox. The suspension has been redesigned and upgraded to make full use of the Group R regulations, allowing for a wide variety of setup options. Rally-spec alloy wheels and a reworked braking system are also part of the package.

View more details, check out the complete list below and click images to view Gallery:

TARMAC RACING KIT (500 PARTS)

• Racing engine, assembled and bench-tested, ready to be mounted
• Gearbox, assembled and bench-tested, ready to be mounted
• Reinforced body shell, with roll-cage and seat attachment brackets and accessories (handbrake, ECUs, spare wheel, mounting brackets)
• Reinforced engine sub-frame
• Protective skidplate for engine and exhaust
• Adjustable front and rear suspension elements
• Reinforced hub carriers
• Adjustable specific front suspension wishbones
• Maximum size front and rear brake discs
• Front and rear specific brake callipers
• Reinforced rear axle
• Set of rear axle geometry adjustment shims
• Direct power-steering rack
• Specific braking system
• Specific ‘pedal box’ assembly
• Tarmac 7×17” wheels
• Fuel system with FIA-homologated tank
• Specific engine and gearbox cooling system
• Air/high-capacity air exchanger and specific booster circuit
• Aviation type electrical system with digital instrument panel display
• Data acquisition system built into the injection unit
• Roof-mounted air intake
• Glossy dashboard strip
• Specific wheel arch protections
• Front and rear tow straps
• Spare wheel straps

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:

• Gravel rallying adaptation kit, including shock absorbers, springs, anti-roll bar, front brake discs, 6×15” gravel wheels and bodywork protective covers
• Short or long torque settings
• Co-driver footrest
• Citroën Racing rear-view mirrors
• FIA-homologated crash panel doors
• Xenon headlamp assembly
• 64MB data acquisition unit upgrade
• Specific mapping for racing fuel
• Tool kit, including: wheel hub fitting tool, brake fluid bleed device, steering rack shim
• Springs of varying levels of stiffness
• Anti-roll bar of varying diameters
• Standard bodywork spare parts kit

EQUIPMENT NOT INCLUDED IN THE KIT:

• Seats
• Harness
• Fire extinguishers
• Battery
• Spare wheel
• Jack and tyre-changing accessories
• Radio equipment and on-board computer
• FIA-approved anti-shatter protective film
• Tyres

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
CHASSIS

• Structure Reinforced body with welded, multi-point roll cage
• Bodywork DS3 THP 150 with specific roof-mounted air intake and rear-view mirrors

ENGINE

• Type 1.6 THP PSA
• Bore x stroke 77×85.8 mm
• Capacity 1,598cc
• Maximum power 210bhp at 4,750rpm
• Specific output 131.4bhp/litre
• Distribution Double overhead camshaft valve train
• Breaker arm with adapted cam profile
• Specific pistons, connecting rods, engine flywheel and camshaft
• Fuel feed Direct injection
• Motorized single throttle valve

CLUTCH

• Type Thrust mechanism
• 184mm cerametallic twin-disk

TRANSMISSION

• Type Front-wheel drive
• Gearbox Six-speed sequential
• Control Electronically controlled with steering wheel-mounted paddle
• Differential Self-locking type ZF differential

BRAKES

• Front Ventilated disks, 330×30mm (tarmac) and 300×30mm (gravel)
• 4-piston callipers
• Rear 300×8mm discs
• 2-piston callipers
• Distribution Adjustable
• Handbrake Hydraulic control

SUSPENSION

• Front McPherson type
• Specific hinges and hub carriers
• Rear H-shaped axles
• Shock absorbers BOS three-track adjustable shock absorbers (low-and high-speed compression and rebound)
• Adjustable hydraulic bump stop

STEERING

• Type Hydraulic power-assisted steering

WHEELS

• Tarmac 7×17” wheels
• BFGoodrich 200/50/R17 tyres
• Gravel 6×15” wheels
• BFGoodrich 195/70/R15 tyres

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES

• Length 3,948mm
• Width 1,715mm
• Wheel base 2,465mm
• Track 1,520mm (front) – 1,490mm (rear)
• Fuel tank 67 litres
• Weight 1,230kg with driver pairing (regulations)
• Weight distribution 64/36% (front/rear)

READ MORE - 2011 Citroen DS3 R3 Rally Car