Citroën C3 Picasso Showcases Second Generation Stop & Start

While other auto makers are only now catching up to Stop & Start fuel-saving technology, the pioneer of the system Citroën is now ready to move the game on. The new micro-hybrid system, shown in the C3 Picasso at the recent Paris Motor Show, will debut in 2010. The system is said to cut CO2 emissions down to just 110g/km, with a given range of some 70 mpg on average. As a matter of fact when the new C3 Picasso comes to market in 2009, it will boast a Particulate Filter System that makes the car’s diesel versions much ‘greener’ than today’s.

It was four years ago that Citroën debuted Stop & Start with a combined alternator-starter in its C2 and C3 models, which works by cutting off engine power as the car stops and giving it a restart as it moves off again. The next-generation system gets to keep the combined alternator-starter unit while producing even better CO2 and fuel consumption figures from both Citroën’s petrol and diesel models. It will be mated to a 6-speed Electronic Gearbox System (EGS), and the two are said to work hand in hand together as fuel-price busters.