Citroen Hypnos Concept Showcases New Hymotion4 Technology Destined for Production Vehicles

The Citroen Hypnos Concept is the latest car to hit your screens from the Paris Motor Show, a crossover vehicle that displays the French brand's perspective of what a luxury ecological vehicle should be and a new technology showcasing the talents of the French engineers with a new type of hybrid technology called Hymotion4.

The technology works by combining a powerful diesel engine to power the front wheels with an electric motor mounted on the rear axle that powers the rear wheels. It results in a hybrid system different to any other with an electric motor and combustion engine working completely separate to each other as opposed to working together as seen on conventional hybrid systems.

The engine used on this particular concept is a 200bhp 2-liter diesel engine that passes its 420Nm of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed transmission system. The electric motor backing it up generates an additional 50bhp and 200Nm of torque, all of which goes directly to the rear wheels. The Hypnos accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds and takes 31 seconds to travel 1,000 m from a standing start whilst maintaining the fuel consumption at an acceptable 4.5 liters/km.

We are also glad to report that this new technology is much more than just a concept, PSA Peugeot Citroën have already announced the new Hymotion4 technology will be integrated into the mid-sized and executive sized vehicles of the Peugeot and Citroen portfolios from 2011.