However all of this hybrid technology comes at a cost and in the Hybrid4′s case, that price is weight. The diesel engine and hybrid setup adds another 120kg (264lb) to the overall weight of the vehicle. However, to compensate, the driver can choose to run the vehicle in front-drive only, rear-drive only and all-wheel drive modes depending on the journey.
Four different operating modes can also be selected: In “Auto” mode, the electronics manage the change between the diesel engine and the electric motor for maximum economy. In “ZEV” mode, the car runs on pure electricity for a maximum drive range of 4.5 km or 2.8 miles. “4WD” mode instructs both power trains to operate together for as much as possible, while the sport mode puts the full 200-horsepower system front and centre. As a result, the vehicle’s fuel consumption is impressive with figures of 3.8lt/100km (equal to 61.9mpg US or 74.4mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of only 99g/km. In terms of performance, the French automaker claims a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 209km/h (130mph).
The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 will be built at the firm’s Sochaux and Mulhouse plants in France, and sales on the continent are expected to start early next year.
[...] public bus will hit the streets of Okayama City in Southern Japan. The Sanyo-designed bus is a hybrid diesel-electric vehicle whose rooftop solar cells generate 798 watts, powering the interior LED lights. In the absence of [...]
Well Done looking for some Big carS & SUV’s in this kinds of formate of Diesel Hybrid cars
http://www.automobilesupersite.com/cars/
Europe invested heavily on small car diesel engines. So they have sedans getting 40+ mpg highway without the added costs of hybrids or batteries. Plus all the research spent on diesel particulate filters & urea injection has made Diesel very clean and a top choice for Europe, all but removing the stigma that diesel is sooty and dirty which. If only the USA could follow the trend, not just for it’s trucks.