Paris preview: Peugeot 207 Epure fuel cell concept

Updated - The 207 Epure is a new concept by Peugeot designed to show off their latest improvements with fuel cell technologies. The engine, developed by PSA Peugeot Citroën is designed to allow a range of 350km and a top speed of 130km/h – hardly performance figures but still enough to take the car out on a highway. The 20kW fuel cell is backed up by a lithium ion battery that can work in conjunction to store energy for later use. It can also recover energy while braking.



Click ahead for the full press release.

The 207 EPURE

The beat of an alternative heart

In 1998, the concept-car 20. was presented for the first time. The enthusiasm

it aroused among the public fuelled the development of a new mass-produced car

design: the Coupe / Cabriolet.

Combining vision and realism, the 206 CC - the first vehicle in the small car segment

to have a metal electric folding roof - met with well-documented success and was then

followed in the higher segment of the Peugeot range by the 307 CC.

With the launch of the 207 hatchback, Peugeot’s designers naturally considered

including a CC version in the new range, and applying all their expertise in the fi eld

of vehicles styled for pleasure.

With the 207 EPURE concept car, the Marque for the one part lifts the veil on

a tangible future product.

However, its personality is twofold: in addition to twin coupe / cabriolet adaptability,

this styling blueprint also conceals an example of future fuel cell technology for

a more distant future...

The experimental power train that equips the 207 EPURE includes the latest advances

of the PSA Peugeot Citroen group in this area, without any adverse affect on the

vehicle’s functional and stylistic features.

The spirit of freedom inherent in this design is therefore closely bound up with the

car’s method of propulsion: the ensuing benefits - zero emissions, silent operation -

which does much to enhance the pleasure of driving the car as a cabriolet.

Both driver and car are then truly at one with their environment. Pleasure and ecology

are united.

Style

Exterior

The pearl white livery highlights the purity of the concept car’s lines while symbolising

the ecological credentials of the technology that powers it.

The familiar, elegant and expressive design of the front of the 207 EPURE, is strengthened by its bold and fl owing contours.

From the side, the high waistline at the rear creates an effect which, combined with the

angle of the front windscreen and the arch of the closed roof, enhances the car’s dynamic

presence by creating a sense of movement, even when it is stood still. The sculpting of the lower side panels adds further to the overall personality of the vehicle. Its special Pitlane alloy wheels strengthen the impression of a vehicle with superb road holding.

Chrome detailing circumvents the perimeter of the passenger compartment and includes

a bold styling feature, located on top of the boot lid, helping to enhance the fluidity

of the design of the rear of the car. Extending from the boot lid, the rear spoiler, with

its pronounced integrated shape, blends harmoniously into the rear diode-effect lights.

Meticulous surface finishes, eloquent style lines and perfectly balanced proportions give

the vehicle the natural equilibrium, elegance and dynamism sought after by its designers,

whether it is a coupe or a cabriolet.

Interior

The interior expands on the theme of purity expressed by the exterior. The fascia panel

of the 207 EPURE, originally smooth and fluid, is covered entirely with white leather, as is most

of the passenger compartment: the detailing, the trim on all four seats, and even the

controls under the steering wheel. The white dials of the instrument panel and the chrome

trims strengthen the modern and technological feel of the interior. Touches of absinthe

green, inspired by the vehicle’s floor colour, are subtly interspersed throughout the

passenger compartment, particularly in the form of discreet beads on the fascia panel,

the door panels, the rear of the front seats and the head restraints. This colour also appears n the perforations of the seat leather, like little bubbles of oxygen, echoing the vehicle’s ecological method of propulsion. This harmony between white and mineral tones further accentuates the sensation of freedom, relaxation and energy that emanates from the car.

From a functional point of view, the instrument panel incorporates all necessary information for monitoring the charge level of the battery and the quantity of on-board hydrogen, while the colour display in the centre console displays the flow of power between the electric motor, the battery and the fuel cell.

Fuel cell

The strategy of PSA Peugeot Citroen

In a global context where the need to consume less energy and reduce CO2 emissions

is paramount, the PSA Peugeot Citroen group is continuing its technological research into

clean and economical vehicles. In addition to work on improving the efficiency of internal combustion engines, particularly with HDi engines, the ability of the Group’s engines to run on fuels that incorporate biofuels, the invention of the DPFS (diesel particulate filter system) and research into HDi Hybrids, PSA Peugeot Citroen is also studying future technologies. For example, the hydrogen fuel cell could represent a high-potential energy source for the future.

The advantages of the fuel cell for the environment are many:

• it provides an alternative to fossil fuels

• it helps to reduce CO2 emissions and therefore to control the greenhouse effect,

• it improves the quality of life in town, thanks to the silent operation of vehicles that use an electric motor and the elimination of local emissions.

This technology, however, still has to overcome a number of technical and economic challenges before large-scale production can be envisaged.

PSA Peugeot Citroen has therefore adopted a research strategy which aims to explore

different solutions. This work has therefore given rise to the production of a succession

of demonstrators.

Taxi PAC

The Peugeot Taxi PAC is a sort of 21st century London taxi. In this demonstrator,

hydrogen is stored in the form of compressed gas (300 bar) in a racks of removable cylinders. Refills (replacement of an empty cylinder rack) can therefore be carried out quickly, which corresponds perfectly to the targeted use: as an urban fleet vehicle.

H2O

The Peugeot H2O is the place where a child’s dreams meet those of an engineer:

behind the theme of a fire engine, it aims to provide a solution to the problem

of storing hydrogen by producing it on demand on the vehicle itself, by means

of an aqueous solution of sodium borohydride.

The Quark

The Peugeot Quark, a handsome and futuristic 2-seater quad, illustrates numerous

innovations through its compact size. For example, the fuel cell is cooled by air and

hydrogen is stored in a single plug & drive cylinder at a pressure of 700 bar (which

increases the vehicle’s range compared to a pressure of 350 bar). Instead of a single

electric motor, the Quark has four electric motors located in each of its wheels.

Continuing this research, the Group, in partnership with the AEC (Atomic Energy

Commission), is working currently on a new design of compact fuel cell that will make it

possible to improve electrical power output, energy efficiency and packaging: the GENEPAC (GENerateur Electrique a Pile A Combustible), or fuel cell electricity generator. This technology is present today in the 207 EPURE .

Fuel cell technology

Operating principle of the fuel cell electric propulsion system

To operate, a fuel cell needs hydrogen and oxygen. Oxygen is drawn from the air, while

hydrogen is stored on the vehicle.

The combining of these two elements creates an electrochemical reaction that causes

a displacement of electrons and protons which simultaneously produces heat, water,

and above all electricity.

The 207 EPURE , like previous demonstrators, uses the fuel cell as a source of on-board

electrical energy (increasing the maximum distance the vehicle can travel - range extender).

It powers the electric motor (propulsion system) directly as well as helping to recharge

the batteries.

Technological content of the 207 EPURE : the GENEPAC

For the first time on a demonstrator, the 207 EPURE uses a GENEPAC fuel cell. Combining simplicity and modularity, this French designed cell has been designed to be compact in installation and efficient in use.

The principle of this new cell, featuring PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell)

technology, is based on the use of thin, stamped stainless-steel plates, which reduce the cost and volume of the cell compared to traditional plates.

This system also allows for simple gauging of the cell’s power. For example, the cell used on this demonstrator, called the GENEPAC 20, is a 20 kW version of the GENEPAC system. The, GENEPAC 20 consists of two modules each with a stack of thin plates and an assembly of electrode membranes.

This fuel cell system therefore offers a level of efficiency in excess of 50 % versus 25 to 30 % for an internal combustion engine.

Five cylinders containing 3 kg of hydrogen compressed to 700 bar provides the electric

motor and the lithium-Ion battery with as much extra power and range as possible.

They are located at the bottom of the vehicle’s boot, which frees up the two rear seats,

does not affect the operation of the retractable roof mechanism and leaves part of the boot

available for use in the coupe position.

Use of an electric motor allows the 207 EPURE to consume energy only when in motion

and to save energy during phases of deceleration. It also makes this demonstrator silent,

an important quality for a vehicle driven in town and highly beneficial during use as a

cabriolet.

The PAC technologies give the 207 EPURE demonstrator a considerable range (around

350 km) while offering a pleasing level of performance with a maximum speed of

130 km/h.

Helping to preserve pure air by emitting only water, this 207 EPURE of the future is therefore well suited to urban and semi-urban use... For pure sensations, original and purposeful!

ENGINE

Type Electric

Nominal power 40 kW

Peak power 70 kW

Max. torque 180 Nm

POWER

BATTERY

Type Lithium-Ion

Max. power 50 kW

FUEL CELL ELECTRICITY GENERATOR

Partner CEA

Max Power 20 kW

HYDROGEN SUPPLY

Volume of each of the 5 cylinders 15 l

Pressure of each cylinder 700 bar

Total mass of hydrogen on board 3 kg

PERFORMANCE

Maximum speed (km/h) 130

0 to 100 km/h (s) 15,0

30 to 60 km/h (s) 3,5

RANGE (km) 350

WEIGHT (kg) 1550

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS (m)

Length 4,037

Overall width 1,749

Wheelbase 2,540

Height 1,387

Front overhang 0,836

Rear overhang 0,661