Paris 2010: Peugeot HR1 Concept

In addition to pulling the sheets back on its new 508, Peugeot unveiled its newest concept at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Called the HR1 Concept, the car is what we would assume would happen if a Prius knocked boots with the SEMA world. Behind the only-a-mother-could-love face, the HR1 benefits from a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine in front and a 37-horsepower electric motor positioned in the rear of the vehicle. This is a through-the-road hybrid, which means the two powertrains operate independantly and are only connected, well, through the road. Both are bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission, and all told, the company says that the drivetrain is good for a combined "potential power" of 147 hp. Even better, fuel consumption is kept down to 3.5 liters per 100 kilometers, or around 67 mpg US.

In marketing speak, the HR1 boasts an "alternative door structure" as part of its effort to combine as many vehicle body structures as possible. Peugeot says its designers baked elements from the city car, coupe and SUV philosophies into the final look of this hybrid. Surprisingly enough, there are no current plans to bring the HR1 to life.

Paris 2010: Peugeot 508 is a glimpse of things to come

Peugeot is celebrating its 200th birthday (as a company), and to mark the occasion, the French automaker is planning an all-out product offensive. Chief among them is the mighty 508 – a sedan that benefits from reduced weight and increased interior room compared to the old 407. In a word: Progress.

Initially, the company says that the 508 will be available with everything from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 120 horsepower and 118 pound-torque of torque to a 150-hp 2.2-liter turbo-diesel engine with a gobsmacking 331 pound-feet of torque. Available gearboxes vary from a six-speed automatic to both five- and six-speed manuals. Peugeot also plans to roll out a hybrid version of the big sedan, though the company says that European buyers can expect to wait a little while on that one. Interestingly, Pug officials say when the 508 does get its batteries, the hybrid will pack a 200-hp diesel engine in addition to whatever the electric motors add.

Frankfurt 2009: Peugeot BB1 Concept

You know what the problem with Smart cars is? Not tough enough! Regardless, meet the Peugeot BB1. Yes, it is the logical result of a one night stand between a Subaru SVX and a Peel 50. What are we talking about? We don't even know what we're looking at. Feel free to read a rational account of the Peugeot BB1 at your leisure.

OK fine -- our editor is forcing us to tell you some facts about the BB1. Four wheels for sure. And the weirdly curved glass is all tilted forward before eventually morphing into solar panels on the roof. You steer it with moto-style handle bars. No word if you can opt for a set of ape-hangers, but why on earth not? Engine? Hey – it's a concept, you don't need no stinking engine. Uh.. oh! There are tiny rear-hinged doors with even tinier roll-down windows. So now you know what happens if you allow French automotive weirdness to go unchecked.

Frankfurt 2009: Peugeot RCZ

Some things are worth waiting for. Take the Peugeot RCZ, for example. French auto giant PSA has been talking about putting the RCZ into production since initially unveiling it as a concept car in this very hall back in 2007. And that day has finally arrived with the unveiling of the production-ready coupe here in Frankfurt.

The critics may say the styling is too close to the Audi TT, but to our eyes that's no bad thing. And while there are certainly some TT-esque design traits coming through, there is plenty to set this apart as uniquely Peugeot. Sporting a Zagato-style double-bubble roof and muscular wheel arches, the RCZ is easily the most stylish French car this side of a Bugatti.

Mechanically, it's based on the 308 hatchback, but the svelte coupe has dropped the numeric moniker on the road to production. Engines include 1.6-liter turbo fours with 156 or 200 horsepower and a 2-liter turbodiesel with 163 ponies. Also available with the oil-burning mill is a hybrid drivetrain supplemented by a 37-horsepower electric motor that matches the top gas engine's output while upping the ante with all-wheel-drive and environmental bragging rights.

BMW considers sharing Mini platform with PSA Peugeot Citroën

According to a report from Financial Times in the U.K., BMW may be in preliminary talks to share small car platforms for future Mini variants with PSA Peugeot Citroën. The two European automakers already share the range of small four-cylinder engines powering the Mini line, which seems to lend an air of credence to rumors of an expanded collaborative effort.

While stopping short of confirming the report, both BMW chief Norbert Reithofer and PSA head Philippe Varin have indicated a willingness to work together and have reportedly met twice so far since May. Whispers of platform sharing is nothing new for BMW these days – earlier this year, we again heard the oft-repeated rumor that BMW was working with Fiat on a shared platform for something even smaller than the regular-grade Mini, possibly as part of its long-rumored Isetta revival.

[Source: Financial Times]

Peugeot releases first official teasers of 308 RC Z

For a country so renowned for its style and fashion, you'd think France would have plenty of stylish automobiles on offer, but that's not necessarily the case. Though the country's hatchbacks and MPVs may look a touch sharper than the competition's, above that there's nothing especially stylish until you get to the seven-figure territory covered by such ultramobiles as the Bugatti Veyron and GTbyCitroen. Peugeot aims to fix that, though, with the 308 RC Z, though to some eyes it's design was influenced a bit too heavily by the Audi TT.

In case you've lost track by now, the 308 RC Z made its debut in concept form three long years ago. A lot has happened since then, including PSA's approval for the swept-roof coupe to enter production followed by recent spy shots demonstrating that its making good on its promise. And now Peugeot has released the first crop of teaser images showing the production-ready 308 RC Z. Tipped to carry the same jointly-developed turbocharged engine as the Mini JCW, the stylish Peugeot is expected to debut at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Peugeot RD Concept

Last year at the Beijing Motor Show, Peugeot announced a contest for budding car designers asking them to "Imagine the Peugeot in the Worldwide Megalopolis of tomorrow." By all accounts, the contest was a success with over 2,500 entries. Carlos Arturo Torres Tovar, a 27-year-old designer from Columbia, has been named the winner, which comes with the prize of seeing his Peugeot RD concept design come to life as a full-size clay model, a check for 10,000 euros and an Xbox 360 game console.

Apparently, tomorrow's Peugeot will seat a single occupant, have three wheels and combine the ability to lean into turns like a motorcycle or scooter with the safety and security of a four-wheeled sedan. Of course, no auto concept for the future would be complete without an electric powertrain, and this one's no different. The concept is currently being shown at the Shanghai Motor Show.

[Source: Peugeot via World Car Fans]