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Microhybrid
diesel
for new
Citroën
Citroën
is a
company
that has
historically
been
known
for its
technology
and
general
design
talents.
In terms
of both
technology
and
styling,
its DS
of 1955
was
arguably
one of
the most
significant
step-changes
ever in
the auto
industry;
the
almost
equally
radical
CX that
followed
took the
company
to the
edge of
bankruptcy;
and the
Xsara of
the
1990s
was an
example
of
vehicle
creation
without
flair or
character
that
nevertheless
met the
market
requirements
of the
day.
But now
Citroën
is
trying
once
more to
find the
sort of
engineering
and
aesthetic
signature
that
singles
it out
from the
herd.
Its new
DS
models
are
helping
it do
so, and
it hopes
that its
new C4
five-door
hatchback,
revealed
at the
2010
Paris
Motor
Show,
will
complement
this
move.
It may
help,
but it
is a car
that
really
takes
the
middle
ground
in terms
of both
looks
and
technology.
It uses
PSA
Peugeot-Citroën’s
established
Platform
2 using
MacPherson
front
suspension
but with
a new
design
of
flexible
transverse
beam at
the rear
and
hydraulic
steering
with an
electric
pump. In
Europe,
the
sector’s
average
owner
age is
about 57
and such
facts
dictate
the
potential
vehicle
for
their
needs.
The new
C4 has
certainly
been the
subject
of
detail
design
and
engineering
focus.
The
microhybrid
diesel
version,
designated
e-HDi,
has a
very
effective
stop-start
system,
combining
a
reversible
alternator
with a
diesel
engine
designed
and
developed
in
collaboration
with
Valeo.
The
program
stretched
over
several
years to
achieve
a
satisfactory
NVH and
start-up
solution.
The
result
is
impressive,
with an
engine
off-to-start
time of
only 0.4
s. The
engine
is
stopped
at 8
km/h (5
mph)
during
the
deceleration
phase.
Main
comfort
functions
remain
available
during
engine
off.
Fuel/emissions
savings
is said
to be
some
15%. The
1.6-L
80-kW e-HDi
engine
achieves
4.2
L/100 km
in the
combined
cycle
and
emissions
of 109
g/km.
The
engine
drives
through
a
robotized
six-speed
transmission.
The e-HDi’s
frugality
is
complemented
by
new-generation
Michelin
Energy
Saver
tires,
claimed
to
reduce
emissions
by 5%
compared
to
regular
types
and cut
fuel
consumption
by 0.2
L/100
km.
A
part-by-part
weight-savings
program
has seen
3.5 kg
(7.7 lb)
taken
out of
the
steering-wheel
hub
area, 2
kg (4.4
lb) from
the use
of laser
welding
of roof
and
doors (a
first
for the
PSA
Peugeot
Citroën
Group),
and 1.5
kg (3.3
lb) from
flow-formed
wheels.
Achieving
required
NVH
levels
included
the use
of an
acoustic
laminated
windshield
with a
damping
film and
particular
attention
to
sealing
of
bodyshell
and
doors.
The
car’s
materials
comprise
70%
metals,
5%
miscellaneous
including
glass,
5%
fluids,
and the
remainder
polymers.
PSA
Peugeot
Citroën
aims to
include
20% of
green
materials
(natural
fibers
such as
linen
and
hemp),
nonmetallic
recycled
materials,
and
biomaterials
in
vehicle
polymers
by 2011.
The new
C4 uses
15% of
green
materials
out of a
total
200 kg
(440 lb)
of
polymers.
Available
with a
wide
choice
of
gasoline
(developed
with
BMW) and
diesel
engines,
a
forthcoming
C4 1.4
e-HDi
will
achieve
CO2
emissions
of 99
g/km.
The C4,
which
has
undergone
a 2
million
km test
program,
is built
at
Citroën’s
Mulhouse,
France,
facility,
which
has ISO
14001
certification.
Electricity
and
water
consumption
per
vehicle
has been
reduced
14-fold
over 30
years
(9.5
m³/vehicle
in 2009)
and CO2
and VOC
(volatile
organic
compounds)
emissions
divided
by 10
over a
decade.
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