VIDEO : 2011 Peugeot 308 Facelift Commercial is the Next Best Thing to a Wet T-Shirt Contest...

You can never get it wrong when casting attractive women in commercials, right? That's what the people from Peugeot must have thought when they commissioned this TV ad for the restyled Peugeot 308. The car plays a very marginal part in the commercial, with the 30-second long footage being dominated by the Peugeot's owner, an attractive young lady who walks with no umbrella in the pouring rain just to get to her beloved 308. Not the most creative of ads, but at least the people from the casting department did their job.
By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

Internet Sales, the Next Big Thing for Renault's Dacia and PSA’s Rumored Simca Budget Brands

A low-cost company has to find low-cost ways not only to produce, but also to market and sell its products. This is why Renault devised a strategy to sell Dacia models online, through an Internet sales program that will be implemented in Europe.

“Internet sales will quickly become a reality. Many of our customers know what they want before they step into our showrooms, so an online sales channel makes sense,” said Gerard Detourbet, head of Renault's low-cost program.

But that isn't the only reason. Renault will be soon facing the threat of a low-cost rival coming from the French group PSA Peugeot-Citroen. Rumored to receive the abandoned Simca name, the new make could sell its vehicles exclusively through the Internet, as sales chief Jean-Marc Gales hinted at the Geneva Motor Show.

According to Gales, the cars will be built outside Western Europe, possibly in China, and could bring a higher profit margin for PSA than any other low-cost car manufacturer has managed to obtain until now.

"They're all selling cars at lower prices through the same high-cost distribution system that hasn't changed in 90 years. What we're talking about is a radically new approach to car distribution," said Gales. He added that cars will be sold exclusively through the Internet, with test-drive vehicles being offered through rental firms.

In doing so, PSA will not only increase profits, but will also avoid potential damage to the Peugeot and Citroen brands by keeping low-cost cars away from the showrooms.

By Dan Mihalascu

Source: Bloomberg

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Peugeot Reveals 908 HYbrid4 Le Mans Racer at the 2011 Geneva Salon

At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Peugeot uncovered its new 908 HYbrid4, a diesel-hybrid endurance race car designed to compete in the 2012 edition of the 24 hours of Le Mans. Starting from 2011, regulations for the Le Mans race make hybrid vehicles eligible for top honors, with the objective being to encourage makers in developing hybrid race cars that can challenge the supremacy of diesel-powered Audis.

Even though the new 908 hybrid will not be entered in this year's Le Mans race – since the French car maker has already presented the diesel-powered 908 in February – Peugeot has big plans for its “eco-friendly” race car.

Designed to comply with the latest endurance racing regulations, the 908 Hybrid4 will play a major role in Peugeot's 2011 environmental strategy. The hybrid system uses the same 550 hp V8-diesel engine as the conventional 908, but adds an extra 80 hp boost thanks to an electric motor powered from the stored kinetic energy generated under braking. For short periods of time, the extra power is released automatically to the rear wheels under acceleration. The recovered energy (500 kJ between two braking phases) is stored in lithium-ion batteries and the system will allow for powering the car in electric mode only while in the pit-lane.

The first track test of the 908 HYbrid is scheduled for the end of March, with Peugeot aiming to run the car at the official pre-Le Mans 24 Hours test day on April 24.

By Dan Mihalascu

Peugeot 908 HYbrid4 – Technical Data

Chassis: Carbon monocoque

Gearbox: Sequential, hydraulic, six forward speeds plus reverse

Internal combustion engine: Diesel, V8 HDi FAP

Cubic capacity: 3.7 litres

Power: 550 horsepower

Hybrid system:

Power: 60kW (80hp), during energy delivery phases only

Delivery of recovered energy:

To the rear wheels;

500kJ between two braking phases;

Energy stored in lithium-ion batteries;

Automatic delivery of energy under acceleration (no "push to pass" function). It is also possible to use the electric mode only along the pit lane.

Dimensions

Length: 4,640mm

Width: 2,000mm

Wheelbase: 2,950mm

Height: 1,030mm

Weight: 900kg

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Peugeot's EX1 Concept Breaks the Electric Car Record on the Nurburgring

It's not very often we hear about an electric car taking on the fearsome Nurburgring-Nordschleife track. A concept version of an EV is an even rarer sight on the “Green Hell”, but that's exactly what Peugeot did as it put the EX1 design study at work on the world's toughest circuit.

It wasn't just a pleasure ride, however, since Peugeot visited the ‘Ring to break the lap record for electric cars. And it did, with driver Stéphane Caillet lapping the 20.8-kilometer (12.92-mile) long track in 9 minutes and 1.338 seconds, at an average speed of 138,324 km/h (85.95 mph), in “very unfavorable weather conditions”, according to the French automaker. The previous lap record set by an electric car belonged to the Mini E racer, which lapped the German track last year in 9 minutes and 51.45 seconds.

WIGE Performance, the official timekeeper of the Nordschleife track, tracked Peugeot’s record. Revealed at the Paris motor show last year, the EX1 roadster is powered by a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, thus offering four-wheel drive. Each electric motor produces 125 kW (170HP) for a combined output of 340HP and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque. Energy comes from a high-output lithium-ion battery pack.

The radical-looking concept measures just 0.90 meters in height and 1.77 meters in width and makes use of a monocoque body structure manufactured from a carbon/honeycomb composite to optimize weight and rigidity.

Peugeot has promised to share a video of the EX1 lapping the Nurburgring. Once it’s out, we’ll update this story.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Peugeot's Geneva Motor Show Debuts Limited to 308 Facelift and Special Editions of RCZ and 3008 Hybrid4

Unless Peugeot is hiding a surprise in its pouch, the French carmaker's presence at the upcoming Geneva Salon will most likely go under the radar. Aside from the subtly facelifted 308 family which includes the hatchback models, an estate and the coupe-cabriolet, Peugeot's stand will also host the premiere of two limited edition models.

The first is the RCZ Asphalt which is based on the most potent variant of the coupe model with the 200-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, and is set to go on sale in Europe this spring. Exclusive features include a matt grey body colour, two-tone 19-inch alloy wheels and numerous other interior and exterior appointments.

The second model is a limited edition of the 3008 HYbrid4 crossover, which features a 163HP turbo diesel driving the front wheels and an 37HP electric motor at the rear for a maximum power output of 200-horses, a “zero emission” mode and an average fuel consumption of 74.4 mpg UK, equal to 3.8lt/100km and 61.9 mpg US. Production will be limited to 300 numbered cars, all of which get a Pearlescent White exterior finish and two-tone full leather trim.

The 308 facelift and the two special edition models will be joined by two older concept studies, the HR1 and EX1, plus the new 908 Le Mans race car which was unveiled by Peugeot Sport in February.

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