Peugeot e-HDI Range

November 2011

Peugeot HDi | e-HDi Innovations

An exciting new addition has been added to the Peugeot 508 and Peugeot 308 range in Australia. Peugeot’s new e-HDi technology will enable these two models to become some of the most fuel efficient cars on the Australian market. Powered exclusively by a frugal turbo diesel engine, they become a viable alternative for those seeking a fuel efficient and environmentally friendly car.

So what is e-HDi?

The e-HDi system combines several technologies, called Micro-Hybrid:

  • ♦ A 1.6ltr HDi EURO 5 compliant diesel engine delivering 82kW of power at 3600 rpm and 270 Nm of torque at 1750 rpm - one of Peugeot’s most efficient engines.
  • ♦ A STOP & START system with a second-generation reversible starter-alternator (i-STARS - Starter Alternator Reversible System supplied by Valeo).
  • ♦ An e-booster system, for instantaneous engine restart.
  • ♦ An electronic alternator management system, for regenerative braking.
  • ♦ A gearbox with optimised gear ratios.

Coupling a fuel-efficient 1.6 litre turbo diesel with start-stop technology, the e-HDi power train delivers significant fuel savings in both urban and highway driving.

The new turbo diesel engine was specifically designed with the e-HDi start stop system in mind. It's also fully compliant with Euro V emissions legislation.

The Peugeot 308 Hatch e-HDi will consume only 4.5 litres of diesel/ 100km on the combined cycle. The Peugeot 308 Touring consumes 5.2 l/100km due to its extra weight. Of the three, the Peugeot 508 sedan is the most fuel efficient of all the e-HDi range - only 4.4 l of diesel/ 100km.

One of the most clever features of the Peugeot e-HDi range is the stop start technology. The engine automatically stops when the car is travelling at less than 8km per hour and when stationary (it re-starts as soon as the driver lifts their foot of the brakes). The power train also features a low-viscosity oil and variable-ratio oil pump that reduce unnecessary drag on the engine. This combined with low rolling resistance tyres and taller gearing in its six-speed automatic transmission, it enables the amazing fuel efficiency.

Regenerative braking is used to charge the car's battery when slowing down further assisting the e-HDi Peugeot models fuel efficiency.

How do they drive?

The main point of difference in the way the Peugeot e-HDi drives, is the way the gearbox is used. It is a fully automated manual gearbox. It has an electronic clutch, doing away with a clutch pedal. This simply means that between gearchanges, the driver needs to slightly back off the accelerator. This works especially well when it is driven in “manual” mode as the driver controls the shift points. With a little practice, possibly 100km or so of driving, it starts to become second nature. The benefits are many, other than the obvious fuel economy (5.9ltr/100km city driving in our example video below), the ability to remain in the gear the driver wants gives you a feeling of control.

Other than that, there is no other driving difference to other cars. Although you do get the sense that you are driving something special each time you drive a Peugeot 508 or Peugeot 308 e-HDi.