Hybrid Air, an innovative full hybrid gasoline system.

[BeefMasta]

Saw this on Citroen's Twitter. PSA aim to develop a vehicle that can do 2L/100km (141mpg) by 2020.

Video:

Article here.

I've copied most of it here:

Hybrid Air, an innovative full hybrid gasoline system.
To cope with the challenge of creating an environment-friendly vehicle, PSA Peugeot Citroën is developing an all-new technology combining Gasoline internal combustion engine and compressed air storage. "Hybrid Air" is a key step in the path toward fuel consumption of 2 l/100 km. The major innovation lies in the way the powertrain adapts to driving styles, adjusting independently to one of three modes: Air, Gasoline, Combined. Hybrid Air technology will be fitted on B-segment models starting in 2016.

The reason behind this innovation?

To answer the worldwide challenges of greenhouse gas and the pollutants reduction
To propose to our customers cars equipped with a new full hybrid technology affordable to the great majority in terms of price and performance
An innovative full-hybrid gasoline solution. An important step towards the 2l/100 km car by 2020
What is it exactly?

A new type of full hybrid powertrain that uses petrol and compressed air:
- An innovative combination of tried and tested technologies: a petrol engine, a unit to store energy in the form of compressed air, a hydraulic motor-pump assembly and an automatic transmission working with an epicyclic gear train.
- The smart control system adapts the operating mode to the driver's commands and optimises energy efficiency in three different modes: ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle), petrol internal combustion and combined.
An offer that fits closely with the Hybrid4 electric hybrid for more powerful vehicles in segments C and D
A more competitive total cost of ownership (residual value, cost in use)
A worldwide response to the need for energy-efficient vehicles. A technology that is suited to any climate and driving conditions and to any after-sales service network
What are the benefits for users?

Consumption
69g CO2/km homologated performance, i.e. 2.9 l/100 km (internal combustion, manual gearbox, benchmark of 104g CO2/km) for a conventional body style, such as the Citroën C3 or Peugeot 208, without any specific adaptations
Savings of 45% in city driving, offering a 90% increase in range in comparison with conventional engines
A comfortable and pleasant drive

60% to 80% in ZEV mode in city driving, depending on the traffic
An automatic transmission that offers a top-quality, smooth and pleasant drive
No compromise

Vehicle space maintained (boot, cabin, modular design)
Reliable and robust: an essentially mechanical system, for easier and more economical maintenance
Small environmental footprint. Easily recyclable materials
A technology for all customers

Affordable
Global. Can be industrialised on numerous markets
Applicable to every passenger car and LCV segments, and intended for the B (82 bhp internal combustion engines), C (110 bhp internal combustion engines) and LCV segments
Patents & Partners

80 patents filed by PSA Peugeot Citroën
Technology developed in partnership with the French State
Strategic partners in this technology: Bosch and Faurecia

[gar074]

Sounds like a lot of hot air to me.

[Bigfeet]

It's an ingenious idea but it's going to depend on manufacturing costs. Thats why the C-Cactus was never build as each one would have cost near enough £100,000!