Peugeot three to replace four

In line with the company’s desire to achieve more from less, and meet toughening emissions legislation, Peugeot’s new three-cylinder engine range, which recently debuted in the all-new 208 will soon replace many of the four-cylinder models found elsewhere in the range. The engine, which was developed from conception to production in just under four years, will at first feature in 1.2-litre normally-aspirated guise under the bonnet of 208, before being joined by a 1.0-litre variant later in the year. “This engine has been in development since April of 2008. From the moment we decided to create a new engine, from conception to final development, was almost four years,” explained Peugeot’s Technical & Product Press Attaché, Pierre-Yves Etienney. “It’s a brand new engine [for Peugeot] and has nothing in common with our previous [Toyota-sourced three-cylinder] engines. “Right now, we have the 1.2-litre engine, which will be with us really soon in the 208. At the end of December will come the 1.0-litre three cylinder, and later will come a diesel plant, [idle] stop and start, direct injection and turbo[charging]. It’s an interesting insight in to how Peugeot plans to tackle the increasingly strict legislation that will accompany Euro 6 emissions legislation in September 2014. Etienney telling motoring.com.au that with further development, the three-cylinder mill could become a mainstay of much of its small passenger range. “[The engine] will also be in the car that, in Europe, will replace the 107. And of course we have a strategy of downsizing, which means that with further development, like the turbo, it might replace bigger engines like 1.4 and 1.6-litre engines in other cars. It’s powerful, it has lower CO2 emissions, so it’s a natural trend. ” The 208-based Urban Crossover Concept introduced at this week’s Beijing Motor Show is another likely recipient of the three-cylinder mill. Aiming to sell in large numbers in China, a predominantly petrol market, the deduction was simple. “Of course it is the same size, but as you’ve probably noticed, we didn’t speak about the engine,” Etienney said bashfully. But others at Peugeot were not so tight lipped. Speaking to motoring.com.au at Peugeot’s Paris design studio, a spokesperson hinted that the company would build SUV and CC variants of the 208 to replace the current 207 SW (sold in Australia as the 207 Touring Outdoor variant) and CC models. Given the current naming trend, it’s obvious the Urban Crossover Concept will form the basis for the production of a 2008 compact SUV. For developing markets, the 2008 would compete directly against Ford’s upcoming Fiesta-based EcoSport, another three-cylinder model. The upcoming Opel Mokka is another likely rival. In Australia, 207 three- and five-door hatch models will go on run-out in the lead up to the release of the new 208 range in October. The 207 Touring Outdoor Series II wagon will be offered until the year’s end (2012), while 207 CC stock will be available until late 2012/early 2013. Peugeot sold 1533 207-based variants in 2011. It has said previously that the arrival of 208 stock -- to coincide with the Australian International Motor Show in October -- will bolster 2012 figures to in excess of 2000 units.