9 February 2011
It's been said that the next major global economic boom is green technology, with savvy investors such as billionaire Warren Buffet investing heavily in wind power, electric vehicle development and other green tech initiatives.
Google financier, John Doerr, predicts that green tech will be bigger than the internet and perhaps the biggest economic opportunity of the twenty-first century.
Responsible car manufacturers have not been slow to realise that customers with a conscience are starting to demand environmentally friendly cars, which will be easy on the planet and easy on their wallets
Peugeot has, for many years been investing in green technology.
Peugeot's sustainability programme, Relais Vert, which translates in English to Green Relay, or perhaps a closer meaning might be Green Cycle, has been around for over a decade.
Each manufacturer has had its own take on what is best in terms of full cycle sustainability. Most have experimented with electric cars, hybrids, fuel cell technology, LPG and a number of green alternatives.
While Peugeot has been experimenting with diesel hybrid technology and is likely to be producing such vehicles soon, they have trodden the hybrid path with caution as they did not believe the full cycle sustainability measured up for hybrids.
Concerns surrounding the environmental impact of mining, transportation and disposal of Nickel for production of Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries as well as potential hazardous results in the event of accident have been areas of concern, preferring instead to centre their energies on developing their diesel technology.
Peugeot has been at the forefront of diesel technology for a considerable time and has been a leader in developing green diesel engines.
Technologies such as their HDi (high pressure direct injection) system which reduces CO2, Carbon Monoxide and NOx gases by up to 40%, followed by the FAP (Particulate Filter) which reduces soot particle emissions to such low levels, they are almost immeasurable, have been Peugeot's focus.
Coupled with clean burning engines, like its competitors Peugeot has been busy finding other ways to make their cars more frugal and with lower levels of pollutants.
The Peugeot 308 HDi AT model we drove recently is such a vehicle. Designed specifically to be at the lean end of the 308 range, the HDi AT achieves a 125g CO2 emissions of just 125g/km and consumes only 4.7 litres of diesel per 100km.
The 80kW 1.6 litre HDi diesel engine isn't the only thing that contributes to reducing fuel consumption. Along with various enhancements to aerodynamic efficiency, low friction tyres etc, the 308 HDi AT's secret weapon is the AT (Automated Transmission).
This is an electronically controlled, 6 speed manual gearbox that shifts cogs by itself, taking away the need for a clutch pedal and is designed to drive like an automatic.
As a manual gearbox uses a friction clutch instead of a fluid torque converter, drive slip associated with a traditional automatic is eliminated, so better fuel consumption results.
Other manufacturers have used this concept to great effect, most notably Volkswagen, whose DSG gearbox utilises a double clutch setup and would rate as the smoothest, quickest shifting transmission around at present; delightful to drive and resulting in excellent fuel consumption.
However, what their German competitor has managed to achieve in 5 star style, across the border in France, the result is less than impressive.
From a fuel saving perspective it does the job well.
But from the driver's seat, the Automated Transmission does nothing to enhance the enjoyment of an otherwise good car with a great chassis.
Gearshifts under very light acceleration are fine. But any more than minimal throttle opening and the time taken to shift to the next gear is simply too long. What's more, when you require a quick shift the most, under hard acceleration when pulling out into traffic for example, the lag between gears is woefully slow.
Otherwise, the 308 HDi AT is a good package. Safety items include ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), ABS brakes with EBD and Brake Assist, Isofix child seat mounts.
Equipment including Cruise Control with speed limiter, Digital, Dual Climate air-conditioning, steering wheel mounted audio controls, MP3 compatible CD stereo and front fog lights are standard.
Priced at $40,990 the 308 HDi AT will offer European styling and comfort, and return good fuel economy at a fair price, if you can live with the transmission.