Posted on 09/07/2004 10:57:19 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Peugeot-Citroen Has 'Stop and Start' Car 09.07.2004, 01:42 PM
PSA Peugeot Citroen SA will introduce an environmentally friendly car that shuts down its engine when the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light or in a traffic jam, the French car maker said Tuesday.
The car can cut fuel costs by up to 15 percent in urban driving with heavy congestion, Peugeot Citroen Chief Executive Jean-Martin Folz said. Carbon dioxide and particle emissions are reduced proportionately.
The "Stop & Start" system uses technology developed by French car parts company Valeo SA.
The car engine automatically goes into "sleep" mode when stopped and immediately wakes up when the brake pedal is released. A heavy-duty battery and sophisticated power management technology are required because the system requires more power than a normal car.
The system will first be offered in France on the Citroen C3, a small car for city driving, starting in October or November, Folz said.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Its transmission has 5 speeds in reverse and neutral. It has no forward gear.
Is this a revision of Peugeot's older models, which were known for their "stop and stop" feature?
Cadillac was first with this innovation in the early 80s.
Honda's Civic Hybrid does this already.
Plus.
The French Copy No One, and No One Copy the French.
Renault had a sports car called the Caravel in the 1960s that was so flimsy it couldn't be jacked from any corner without a steel spacer bar inserted in a notch in the door sill.
Couldn't stand to read the whole article, but the Honda starts/stops on the electric.
I stole the "French copies" quote from car talk.
Couldn't stand to read the whole article, but the Honda starts/stops on the electric.
I stole the "French copies" quote from car talk.
"Next engineering feat from the french.....
A new rifle that will automatically "go into surrender mode"."
Yeah! What he said!
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I've also always looked askance at the Volkswagon Karmen Ghia, which ingeniously used one solid piece of stamped steel rather than body panels, so that the slightest fender bender could easily total the car.
Those were the days.
Slightly better results than the "Start-And-Don't-Stop" car.
A car that surrenders to red lights?
Hard to believe that the French have created an even bigger piece of junk than what they have now. And Renault is no great shakes, either.
We call them golf carts here.
Hmm, shuts off the engine all the time. Assuming it would even restart, how are they making an A/C work? What turns the compressor? What happens when you sit in traffic for 2 hours, moving 10 feet, stop, move 10 feet... and the bettery gets low or the starter gets smoking hot?
Will it come equipped with a white flag or will that cost extra?
This technology was obviously stolen. The 1976 Gremlin I owned did the exact same thing.
...another engineering feat by the French....
Rather underwhelming, isn't it?
Sort of like the world's first (and only) rocket-powered submarine. What was it called? Arianne?
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