Citroën DS Wild Rubis Plug-In Hybrid concept car unveiled [VIDEO]

Today sees the unveiling of the DS Wild Rubis concept car, just a few days before the Shanghai Motor Show, where it will go on display, and after a discreet first appearance in France at the Cheval Blanc chateau, one of the most prestigious wine-growing estates in Saint-Emilion, and on the wild and scenic roads of the Tarn region, near the spectacular Millau viaduct, where the car was photographed and filmed.

Wild Rubis is the latest expression of the DS line, joining the DS3, DS4, DS5 and the Numéro 9 concept car. It sublimates the genes of the DS line, with its unique and inimitable style, sparking our imagination and our emotions, with a touch of sophistication and an exceptional finish. The Wild Rubis concept car is the forerunner of the future DS SUV.

This unique and captivating take on the SUV is a subtle combination of power and refinement. A strong and bold statement, this latest chapter in the story of the DS line, is as wild and rebellious, as it is refined and sophisticated. A real jewel with a hypnotic stare. Designed to be driven by the full-hybrid, plug-in technology, the Wild Rubis concept car is packed with technological innovations that will be on show in Shanghai.

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Citroen Berlingo Electric debuts in UK

The new Citroen Berlingo Electric van will make its UK debut this month.

The all-electric Berlingo van will go on sale in the UK later this year, and builds upon Citroen’s first electric van market experience, gained with the first generation Berlingo Electrique van that was for sale between 1998 and 2005.

Citroen has decided to launch the new Berlingo Electric to target the transport requirements of specific sectors. They expect local authorities to use electric vans for a range of council applications, but also demand is expected to come from urban-based private sector businesses.

The new Citroen Berlingo Electric uses the latest electric vehicle technology. An advanced permanent magnet synchronous 49 kW electric motor is powered by a 22.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, that gives the electric van zero emission driving range of up to 106 miles, according to official NEDC testing. The van will have a top speed of 69 mph.

Using a domestic power point, the Berlingo Electric can be fully charged in around 12 hours. Alternatively, it can be charged to 80% of its capacity in around 35 minutes using a specific 380V 3-phase terminal in quick charge mode.

The load space of the van has not been reduced by battery or other electric component intrusion, meaning that the Berlingo remains a practical solution for a working van. The electric motor is positioned under the bonnet and the lithium-ion batteries are underneath the load deck. The load compartment remains 3.3 cubic meters in volume and 1.8 meters in length, with a payload of 636kg. During decelerating and braking, the electric van recovers energy and replenished the battery, with the electric motor acting as a generator. The dashboard includes a number of features specific to electric vehicles, including Eco-driving information, an energy consumption/regeneration indicator, an instantaneous energy consumption gauge and an auxiliaries consumption gauge. These allow the driver to understand exactly what energy the van is using at any given time.

When the battery charge falls to 20% of its total useable capacity, a warning light comes on and the power sent to the heating and air conditioning systems is gradually reduced. Then, when the battery charge level further falls to 10% of the total useable capacity, a “tortoise” light comes on – the power supply is limited and the air conditioning and heating systems are turned off to extend the vehicle's range.

Pricing will start at £21,300 +VAT, full specification and pricing details of the Berlingo Electric will be announced nearer to its UK on-sale date.

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Citroen DS3 Electrum Concept announced for Paris debut

The Citroen DS3 Electrum Concept has been officially announced for the 2012 Paris Motor Show, where it will breathe the same air as the all-new DS3 Cabrio and other models.

According to the French based automaker, the Citroen DS3 Electrum Concept is, just like its name suggests, an all-electric version of the supermini which is promising a total range up to 120 km or 75 miles. Citroen is saying that thanks to installing the electric motors on the front axle, the cargo space is the same and the cabin is maintain its original design, with some minor tweaks.

“Citroën is taking things further at the Paris Motor Show with the presentation of the DS3 Electrum concept car featuring full-electric technology and innovative design. The technology used on the ‘plugged-in’ and ‘electrifying’ DS3 Electrum city car ensures performance consistent with the current DS3 together with zero emissions, a range of up to 75miles (120 km) and optimum on-board comfort with zero noise”, as the carmaker is saying in its official press release.

The Citroen DS3 Electrum Concept will have two 65 kW electric motors powering the front wheels with a 17.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, which can be quick charged up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. More details on the DS3 Electrum Concept will be announced at the French automotive event.

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Mitsubishi halts electric cars to France's Peugeot

Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors said Wednesday that it has "temporarily" halted shipments of its i-MiEV electric car to PSA Peugeot Citroen.

The firm said it would stop deliveries of the vehicles, branded iOn Peugeot and Citroën C-Zero in Europe, that began after the two firms signed a supply deal two years ago.

"This is a temporary stoppage for adjusting stocks (of inventory)," a Mitsubishi spokesman in Tokyo told AFP, declining to elaborate.

"We are the supplier, and we fill the orders of the client."

Mitsubishi has been shipping the electric cars to Peugeot since 2010 with an agreement to supply a total of 100,000 of the vehicles, which was one of the world's first commercially produced electric cars.

The Japanese automaker would not disclose how many vehicles had so far been shipped to Peugeot, citing a confidentiality clause in their agreement.

Mitsubishi said it has made 28,000 i-MiEVs in Japan since 2009. The vehicles can travel about 160 kilometres (100 miles) on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery.

Electric cars represent a tiny fraction of the global automobile market with relatively high prices and limited range often cited as a barrier to sales.

The Japanese firm has other agreements with Peugeot, including supplying it with 4X4s sold under Peugeot's brand while they jointly operate a Russian factory.

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Peugeot Announce 508 Diesel HYbrid4

The innovative HYbrid4 technology is now offered with a 3rd body style in the Peugeot model range. After application to crossover and all road estate types, it is a saloon that now benefits from the unique abilities provided by the Full Hybrid Diesel. With CO2emissions reduced to 95 g/km combined with a high level of performance, the 508 HYbrid4 represents an unequalled offering in its segment.

Peugeot is the precursor of the Full Hybrid Diesel. This technology, which is still unequalled in the market, was designed to be modular and adaptable to different platforms. With this new offering in the 508 range, Peugeot gives a 3rddimension to HYbrid4.

Indeed the performance provided by this innovative drive train, which is based on the virtuous association of a 2.0 litre HDi Diesel engine producing 120 kW (163 hp) and a 27 kW (37 hp) electric motor, will allow the 508 HYbrid4 to win new market share, particularly with BtoB customers or in countries where there are high fiscal incentives related to CO2emissions.

A technological step ahead allows unequalled benefits to be offered, associating performance of a high level and much reduced fuel consumption:

Maximum power of 147 kW (200 hp),

4 wheel drive,

4 driving modes including a 100% electric mode,

95 g/km CO2for 3.6 l/100 km (78.5 mpg)on the combined cycle.

All of the qualities that contributed to the success of the 508 are of course present in this new model. Recognisable by a discreet badge on the grille, the HYbrid4 versions retains a streamlined, prestigious and dynamic appearance. On board, the control knob used to select the 4 driving modes (Auto, ZEV, Sport, 4WD), particularly well integrated into the centreconsole, underlines the high level of perceived quality that characterises the whole 508 range.

The boot, with a volume of 355 litres of water (VDA 210 standard), retains all of its practicality in use, particularly thanks to its rectangular form. With its modularity preserved and 1/3 –2/3 split folding rear seats, the load capacity can reach close to 1 400 litres when use is made of all of the space in row 2.

Finally, the recognised dynamic qualities of the 508 are increased with the HYbrid4 technologywhich offers 4 different driving experiences and which makes full use of Peugeot's suspension know-how (pseudo McPherson at the front and multi-link at the rear).

So the 508 HYbrid 4 distils unique driving pleasure, of a new generation, combining dynamicemotion with environmental requirements.

The 508 HYbrid4 is built at Rennes, in France, and will be on sale in Europe from June. Advanced orders have been taken in Holland and these amount to nearly1600 orders at mid-June 2012.

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Citroen reveal DS5 Hybrid4 Eliseo [VIDEO]

Citroën has revealed the third model in its DS line the 2013 DS5.

The DS5 is the first Citroën model to feature HYbrid4 diesel hybrid technology. The HYbrid4 system delivers 200bhp; four-wheel drive capability; emission-free electric power for the city; and an acceleration boost function for the open road - with total CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

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Citroën Numéro 9 Plug-In Hybrid Concept [VIDEO]

The DS concept is designed with plug-in full-hybrid technology that achieves 166mpg fuel economy, 50km range in ZEV mode, 295hp, a 'boost' function and 39g/km of CO2.

The drivetrain combines a conventional petrol or diesel engine (depending on the market) with an electric motor on the rear axle that develops 70hp and torque of 200Nm. The electric motor is powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged in just 3½ hours from a normal domestic socket. The model on display at the Beijing Motor Show is fitted with a 1.6 THP petrol engine developing 225hp (165kW) and 275Nm of torque.

With its plug-in hybrid technology, Citroën Numéro 9 Concept has a range of 50km (around 31miles) in all-electric ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode and, on roads demanding successive acceleration and deceleration, the hybrid drivetrain limits consumption by using both sources of energy. On the motorway, the combustion engine takes over.

Numéro 9 features new-generation micro-hybrid technology designed to switch the combustion engine to stand-by whenever it is not required.

When the driver requires speed and torque, a 'boost' function combines the power of the combustion engine and electric motor to enable high levels of performance (up to 295hp). Numéro 9 takes just 5.4 seconds to go from 0 to 62mph and 25.3 seconds to travel 1,000m from a standing start.

When grip is lacking, the car switches to four-wheel drive mode with the electric motor driving the rear wheels and the combustion engine powering the front wheels. In particularly difficult driving conditions, such as driving up a sloping, snow-covered road, the driver can manually select 4WD mode. The four-wheel drive system and hydraulic active suspension then deliver increased traction, making full use of the potential of Citroën Numéro 9 in complete safety.

Looking beyond on-road performance and environmental benefits, the full-hybrid plug-in technology offers a third advantage: the cabin can be prepared before the car is used. For example, it can be pre-heated to ensure the comfort of all the occupants as soon as they climb onboard.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

DIMENSIONS

• Length: 4.93 m
• Width: 1.94 m
• Height: 1.27 m
• Wheelbase: 3.00 m

WEIGHT

• Total laden weight: 1,500kg

PLUG-IN HYBRID DRIVETRAIN

• 1.6 THP petrol engine developing 225hp (165kW) / torque of 275Nm
• Electric motor on rear axle: power of 70hp / torque of 200Nm
• ZEV mode: range of 50km

PERFORMANCE AND CONSUMPTION

• 0-1.000m: 25.3 seconds
• 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h): 5.4 s
• Top speed: 152 mph (244km/h)
• Fuel Consumption: 166 mpg (1.7 l/100km)
• CO2 emissions: 39 g/km

AERODYNAMICS

• CdA: 0.61

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Citroen DS5 HYbrid4 diesel [VIDEO]

Citroën has revealed the eagerly anticipated third model in its innovative and distinctive DS line: DS5. Designed to express the full extent of Citroën's 'Créative Technologie', DS5 combines ground-breaking style, rewarding driving dynamics and exceptional refinement with innovative engineering solutions.

DS5 is the first Citroën model to feature HYbrid4 diesel hybrid technology, providing enhanced performance and class leading environmental credentials. The advanced HYbrid4 system delivers 200bhp; four-wheel drive capability; emission-free electric power for the city; and an acceleration boost function for the open road - with total CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

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