Paris Motor Show: Peugeot 207 ePure concept

Peugeot has given us another concept car at its home-turf Paris Motor Show, as our fearless leader John Neff reports. The 207 ePure serves a double function: previewing the new 207 CC (coupe/convertible) and showcasing an alternative powerplant in the form of a fuel cell.

On the surface the ePure looks like a regular production car, but the white and light-green color scheme inside and out betrays its environmentally-friendly power source. The 20 kW fuel cell is supplied by five 15-liter hydrogen tanks placed under the trunk, driving a 95-hp electric motor. Due to the heavy weight associated with a folding metal roof and the low output of the motor, it takes the little blue skies, green grass vehicle a clock-watching 15 seconds to hit sixty. But who's counting? Peugeot says the open-air experience is enhanced by the curtailed noise and air polution.

Follow the jump for photos from the Paris show floor, official press images and the full press release.

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Press ReleaseThe 207 EPURE: The beat of an alternative heartIn 1998, the concept-car 20. was presented for the fi rst 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 fi rst 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 consider d including a CC version in the new range, and applying all their expertise in the field 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fs functional and stylistic features.The spirit of freedom inherent in this design is therefore closely bound up with the carfs method of propulsion: the ensuing benefi ts - 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.StyleExteriorThe pearl white livery highlights the purity of the concept carfs 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fs dynamicpresence 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 Pitlanealloy 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 fl uidityof 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.Interor

The interior expands on the theme of purity expressed by the exterior. The fascia panel of the 207 EPURE, originally smooth and fl uid, is covered entirely with white leather, as is mostof 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 chrometrims strengthen the modern and technological feel of the interior. Touches of absinthe green, inspired by the vehiclefs fl oor colour, are subtly interspersed throughout thepassenger 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 appearsin 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 furtheraccentuates 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 fl ow 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 intoclean and economical vehicles. In addition to work on improving the effi ciency of internal combustion engines, particularly with HDi engines, the ability of the Groupfs engines to runon fuels that incorporate biofuels, the invention of the DPFS (diesel particulate fi lter 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 fl eet vehicle.H2O

The Peugeot H2O is the place where a childfs dreams meet those of an engineer behind the theme of a fi re 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fs 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 effi ciency 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 20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 effi cient 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 costand volume of the cell compared to traditional plates.This system also allows for simple gauging of the cellfs 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 effi ciency 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fs 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 benefi cial 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!

ENGINEType ElectricNominal power 40 kWPeak power 70 kWMax. torque 180 NmPOWER BATTERYType Lithium-IonMax. power 50 kWFUEL CELL ELECTRICITY GENERATORPartner CEAMax Power 20 kWHYDROGEN SUPPLYVolume of each of the 5 cylinders 15 lPressure of each cylinder 700 barTotal mass of hydrogen on board 3 kgPERFORMANCEMaximum speed (km/h) 1300 to 100 km/h (s) 15,030 to 60 km/h (s) 3,5RANGE (km) 350WEIGHT (kg) 1550EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS (m)Length 4,037Overall width 1,749Wheelbase 2,540Height 1,387Front overhang 0,836Rear overhang 0,661