Geneva show: Peugeot to reveal 208 Hybrid FE

PEUGEOT has teamed up with French oil and gas multinational Total to engineer the 208 Hybrid FE concept that will be revealed at the Geneva motor show next month.

The Hybrid FE, which stands for fun and efficiency, is a redesigned version of the 208 hatch that will be more aerodynamic than its donor car, with a lower co-efficient of drag for improved fuel efficiency.

While no images have been released, it is expected to have a lower stance and feature slightly different styling cues to the 208 that was released in Australia last September, but the French car-maker said the car will retain the same occupant space.

Power will come from an “extensively evolved” version of Peugeot’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit – the most fuel-efficient engine in the 208 range – although it is not available in Australia.

Currently the most economical engine available in the local 208 line-up is the 60kW 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol Active.

The three-pot engine is mated to an EGC (Electronic Gearbox Control) gearbox and is combined with an electric motor and battery for a CO2 emissions rating of 49 grams per kilometre, half that of the regular 1.0-litre 208.

The Hybrid FE will sprint from 0-100km/h in 8.0 seconds, a significant improvement on the standard 1.0-litre 208 that takes a leisurely 14.0 seconds.

French car-maker has worked closely with subsidiaries of Total to reduce the weight of the 208, focusing on cutting fat from the body panels, windows and cabin materials for an expected overall weight reduction of 200kg.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia PR and communications manager Jaedene Hudson told GoAuto it was too early to tell whether or not the 208 Hybrid FE will make it to Australia as the local distributor is “currently evaluating whether we will bring hybrids to Australia and in what form.”

Peugeot already has a number of hybrid vehicles on the road in overseas markets, such as the 3008 Hybrid4 crossover, 508 RXH wagon, and 508 Hybrid4 sedan.

It is believed that a final decision regarding the future of hybrid vehicles in Australia will be made in the next few months.

The 208 Hybrid FE is not the only hybrid concept Peugeot will reveal at Geneva next month, with news that the 2008 Hybrid Air crossover concept will also have its first showing.

Peugeot said the 2008 Hybrid Air will combine a three-cylinder engine with compressed air that will “assist, or even take the place of, the petrol engine during the phases which consume the most energy, i.e. acceleration and moving off”.