Hybrid Air, PSA’s gasoline-compressed air hybrid in 2017… maybe

Hybrid Air, PSA’s gasoline-compressed air hybrid in 2017… maybe

A modified Peugeot 2008 serves as a prototype for this concept of hybrid powertrain using petrol and compressed air, and presenting a lower cost than thermal-electric. Efficient in town and less on the road, the system is ready but PSA is still looking for partners. Marketing in 2017 is therefore uncertain.

The idea is old and the principle known: compressed air can be used effectively to turn the wheels of a car. Mechanically, the solution is simple, the vehicle does not emit pollutants and, compared to the electric, the absence of battery reduces the final cost. An ardent promoter of this solution, the French engineer Guy Negre, offers very original vehicles in the MDI company, such as the Airpod, a small urban vehicle, whose engine is hybrid, with a burner to increase efficiency when necessary. Recently, Swedish researchers from Lund University worked on the thermal-compressed air hybrid solution, concluding that, theoretically, it is satisfactory.

The idea is old and the principle known: compressed air can be used effectively to turn the wheels of a car. Mechanically, the solution is simple, the vehicle does not emit pollutants and, compared to the electric, the absence of battery reduces the final cost. An ardent promoter of this solution, the French engineer Guy Negre, offers very original vehicles in the MDI company, such as the Airpod, a small urban vehicle, whose engine is hybrid, with a burner to increase efficiency when necessary. Recently, Swedish researchers from Lund University worked on the thermal-compressed air hybrid solution, concluding that, theoretically, it is satisfactory.

PSA is also interested in the idea, with a different mechanical concept. Its Hybrid Air engine has been presented several times. This week, a demonstration took place, staging a modified Peugeot 2008, which is only a prototype. Its small 1.2 l petrol engine has only three cylinders and develops 82 CV. Offset on the right side of the car, it gives way, on the shaft line, to a hydraulic pump and motor. A cylinder of compressed air is hidden under the passenger compartment, between the seats, and the spare tire is replaced by an oil reservoir, which transmits the pressure to the hydraulic motor.

The compressed air hybrid seems interesting in urban driving

The concept is clearly accomplished. The set operates in three modes: thermal, air or combined. The on-board electronics take care of managing the transition from one to the other. The compressed air and comes in support of the engine. When the driver accelerates fast enough, the combined mode provides the requested power, up to 102 CV according to the manufacturer. On the road, energy is taken to compress the air (which the driver can avoid) and, above all, that of the braking is systematically recovered, a process which seems effective in town. At start-up, if the pressure is sufficient, the air will start the vehicle. The heat engine is started when the air runs out, thanks to an alternator-starter.

PSA announces a consumption of 3 l/100 km out of the 20,000 km traveled by this vehicle. The gain in consumption seems very clear in the city and this is where this hybrid engine is the most interesting, especially since it reduces the release of pollutants . On the other hand, on the road, the balance of compressed air remains to be done before concluding that it will become commonplace on the car of the future. From this prototype, PSA considers possible to put on the market a sedan with low consumption – 2 l / 100 km – in 2020. However, warns the manufacturer, the investment is too high for him and he will need from here there find a partner to launch a range of this kind.