Coming soon, the car that runs on air: Peugeot Citroen unveil new 117mpg hybrid

dailymail.co.uk ^ | 1-22-13 | By Ruth Sunderland

[rawhide]

•Peugeot Citroen invents technology for air car ready for the market by 2016 •'Hybrid Air' engine system runs on petrol and air, instead of electricity •Company predicts 'Hybrid Air' to achieve 117 miles per gallon by 2020 French car giant PSA Peugeot Citroen believes it can put an air- powered vehicle on the road by 2016.

Its scientists say it will knock 45 per cent off fuel bills for an average motorist. And when driving in towns and cities costs could be slashed by as much as 80 per cent because the car will be running on air for four-fifths of the time.

The system works by using a normal internal combustion engine, special hydraulics and an adapted gearbox along with compressed air cylinders that store and release energy. This enables it to run on petrol or air, or a combination of the two.

Air power would be used solely for city use, automatically activated below 43mph and available for ‘60 to 80 per cent of the time in city driving’. By 2020, the cars could be achieving an average of 117 miles a gallon, the company predicts.

The air compression system can re-use all the energy normally lost when slowing down and braking. The motor and a pump are in the engine bay, fed by a compressed air tank underneath the car, running parallel to the exhaust.

The revolutionary new ‘Hybrid Air’ engine system – the first to combine petrol with compressed air – is a breakthrough for hybrid cars because expensive batteries will no longer be needed.

[Jonah Hex]

So how devastating is the explosion when the air tank is compromised during a collision?

Very.

[Joshua]

I assume they’ve accounted for the explosive energy associated with compressed air tanks, as well as the temperature changes associated with charging/venting air bottles and the requirement for periodic hydrostatic testing.

---

Wow!!! I’ve had an air compressor in my garage for the last 30 To think I could have blown up every time I emptied the tank. No more screwing around I’m calling the hydrostatic man now....

[Eaker]

“No Hilux for me, thanks. I appreciate having the choice, but I’ll stick with my F150.”

Said nobody ever.

How much plywood will this thing haul?

Also what is its maximum towing capacity?

[golux]

From Truck Trend:

“...The Tacoma and Hilux are similar in a number of specifications, but there’s a considerable difference in the towing and payload capacities. The Tacoma has a higher maximum towing capacity at 6400 lb, but a mere 1415 lb payload. Meanwhile, a properly-equipped Aussie-spec Hilux can shoulder an impressive 3064 lb payload — nearly as much as the top-spec Ford F-150, which can carry up to 3120 lb.”

Read more: http://www.trucktrend.com/features/consumer/163_1206_toyota_hilux_in_the_us/viewall.html#ixzz2IsR4RdaQ

In any case, the point I am trying to make is that American consumers have not been given the CHOICE of owning a whole bucketful of phenomenal small diesels, like the Hilux diesel, that will goo 500,000 miles with jaw-dropping fuel efficiency. SKODA makes a diesel car for goodness sakes that is a FAR more reliable car than any Mercedes “Bluetec,” and drives just as well (almost.) And when you’re in one of the new little Peugeots, it’s the same leather-wrapped, tight ride you’d expect from a top of the line Japanese car... Except you’re getting 60+ miles per gallon.