PSA-Bosch deal for diesel hybrid tech

In its bid to make a positive impact on the area of diesel hybrid technology, PSA Peugeot Citroen and Robert Bosch have come to an agreement to kick start a strategic partnership.

As per the deal, Bosch will co-develop, produce and supply electric motors and power electronics for PSA Peugeot Citroen’s four-wheel-drive diesel hybrid powertrain. It may be recalled that the vehicle was unveiled at the Paris motor show last October. This was a concept in the Peugeot Prologue and Citroën Hypnos concept cars.

It is exactly this technology that would go into the making of new vehicles soon under the combine. The technology will be used in PSA vehicles from 2011, said a news source.

PSA Peugeot Citroën is said to have chosen the right path by choosingBosch as core partner. This is in turn expected to lead the way to rapid market introduction of hybrid diesel vehicles in Europe. PSA has said that Bosch, which is among the world’s leading automobile equipment manufacturers, has been chosen to supply a number of components for this system.

This would mean that Bosch will supply the rear electric motor, the front-mounted high voltage alternator and the power electronics that will control them. Bosch will also supply the interface between the electric and electronic components, the antilock braking system (ABS) and the electronic stability program (ESP) to enhance energy recovery, said an industry source.

According to PSA Peugeot Citroen, the deal stands testimony to the fact that its the car maker is confident about the partnership with Bosch. It also believes the special strategic relationship will go on, on a long-term basis. The carmaker believes that this is the right approach for bringing to market quickly and cost effectively technological innovations that can significantly lower CO2 emissions and also hopes that this agreement will strengthen the European hybrid technology industry.