"COMMON RAIL" COMPACT ADDS TO PEUGEOT DIESEL FAMILY
The 306 XT HDi, the latest Peugeot to benefit from the company's industry-leading, "common rail" diesel technology, has been unveiled at this year's Melbourne International Motor Show.
On sale from April 1, 2000, the new Peugeot diesel sedan delivers sensational fuel economy, spirited performance, low noise levels and extremely low exhaust emissions.
The 306 XT HDi's (High-pressure Direct injection) arrival is timely, with tighter international oil supply likely to drive local unleaded fuel prices past $1.00 per litre this year.
1200 KM ON A 60-LITRE TANK
Able to cover more than 1200 open road kilometres on a single, 60-litre tank of diesel, the high-tech 306 features "Common Rail" engine technology, as found in the 406 ST HDi, which made its Australian debut last year.
Operating noise levels very close to those of an equivalent petrol model and superb drivability, combined with the Peugeot 306's traditional blend of superior dynamics and exceptional ride adds a new dimension to diesel motoring with the XT HDi.
According to James Cleary, Marketing & Communications Manager for Peugeot Concessionaires Australia, "Peugeot's HDi technology dispels the conventional wisdom which says the diesel customer is buying a compromise."
He adds, "On the road the HDi delivers strong pulling power at very low engine revs, excellent throttle response, even greater reliability and stunning fuel economy."
"There's no pre-heating at start up, the car is amazingly smooth and quiet and its environmental credentials are outstanding."
NO PRICE INCREASE / SAME AS PETROL XT / SPEC UPGRADE
The good news is the new technology is delivered at no extra cost, the 306 XT HDi retaining its diesel predecessor's $29,900 price tag - the same price as the petrol-powered 306 XT.
And the 306 XT HDi's mechanical specification is upgraded, featuring larger ventilated front disc brakes and solid discs replacing drums on the rear of the previous model.
The XT HDi, available as a four door sedan only, retains the high standard equipment levels of its petrol-powered counterparts.
Included in the XT HDi's specification are: climate-control air-conditioning, driver and passenger airbag, electric windows, CD stereo, remote central locking, auto rain-sensing windscreen wiper system, velour trim, passive electronic engine immobiliser, height and lumbar adjust on the driver's seat, electrically adjustable rear view mirrors, as well as front and rear fog lights.
The XT HDi sedan boasts a huge 463-litre boot (125 litres more than the 306 hatch with rear seats upright), a rear sun blind and three-point (lap-sash) seatbelts for all rear seat occupants.
COMMITMENT TO DIESEL
As one of the oldest and largest diesel manufacturers in the world, and one of only two automotive brands currently marketing diesel passenger models in Australia, Peugeot is committed to the technology.
And the Peugeot HDi family offers a range of options with 306 XT HDi under $30,000, and the 406 ST HDi, in sedan and seven-seat wagon versions, in the mid-$40,000 bracket.
PEUGEOT DIESEL - A STORY IN ITSELF ...
Forty years ago, at the 1959 Paris Motor Show, Peugeot launched the 403 diesel and since then has retained its enthusiasm for the technology. Peugeot launched the world's (then) smallest diesel engine in the 204 in 1967, and again with the first European turbo-diesel in the 604 of 1979.
Unrivalled in the diesel domain, Peugeot equipped more than eight million vehicles with its XUD engines over the last 20 years of the 20th Century.
HDi – A DIESEL REVOLUTION
Based on a cast iron cylinder block with alloy cylinder head and single overhead camshaft, the 306 XT HDi's turbocharged, 2.0-litre four cylinder (DW10 TD) engine, develops 67 kW and peak torque of 211 Nm at just 1900 rpm.
Developed in close co-operation with Bosch the HDI "Common Rail" injection system produces a super-fine fuel mixture which ensures immediate atomisation and optimal fuel/air mixture quality.
COMPUTER MANAGEMENT
A combination of high fuel feed pressure (1350 bar), very small fuel-injector holes (less than 200 Microns) and computer management of each system component adds up to extremely accurate and efficient engine operation.
The HDI Common Rail engine's combustion chamber has been developed using CAD three-dimensional simulation of the combustion/injection process as well as aerodynamic modelling.
The overall result is precise fuel injection and timing, more complete combustion, greater efficiency, reduced fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
The efficiency of the HDI engine's high-pressure direct-injection process makes it one of the most environmentally-friendly diesel engines in the world, boasting:
- a 25 percent decrease in CO2 emissions
- a 40 percent decrease in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions
- a 50 percent decrease in unburned hydrocarbons
- a 60 percent decrease in diesel particulate emissions
The HDI engine is also highly effective in terms of smoke emissions, releasing virtually no smoke over 95 percent of its operating range. In fact, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by close to 20 percent compared with the previous engine.
NOISE REDUCED
Noise and vibration have been reduced in the new HDI engine through an emphasis on reduction at the source, optimising the engine's structure and the addition of an acoustic engine shield.
Vibration is reduced thanks to the HDI's pre-injection process in which the engine's computer sends a control pulse to the injector (lasting ten micro-seconds).
This small pulse of fuel (less than one milligram) gradually increases the temperature of the combustion chamber before the primary injection for smoother and more gradual combustion.
This process lowers engine noise at idle by over three decibels (dBa), reducing the HDI engine's noise levels to those of a similarly sized petrol engine.
The most immediate and obvious advantage is increased driving pleasure, the result of higher acoustic and vibration comfort, as well as much higher torque from the lowest engine speeds.