PSA Peugeot Citroën inaugurates the new three-cylinder petrol engine assembly line at its Trémery plant

Image by céline diais via Flickr

Philippe Varin, Chairman of the PSA Peugeot Citroën Managing Board, and Christian Galliard de Lavernée, Prefect of France's Lorraine region, today inaugurated the production unit for a new family of three-cylinder petrol engines at its Trémery plant in Moselle, eastern France. PSA Peugeot Citroën has decided to conduct an in-depth overhaul of its small engine line-up, in a project that is just as important as its HDi diesel engine initiative. This new family of three-cylinder engines will be more efficient and cleaner (thanks to their smaller size), while maintaining performance in terms of power and torque.

More compact and delivering 68 to 82 horsepower, the new three-cylinder engines will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 25% compared with today's four-cylinder engines. Drivers will see their energy consumption reduced by approximately 1.5 litres per 100 kilometres while maintaining optimal driving enjoyment. The new engines will be fitted on the future Peugeot 208, to be launched in first-quarter 2012, with CO2 emissions of just 104 grams per kilometre for its 1.2-litre VTI 82hp version and 99 grams per kilometre for its 1.0-litre VTi 68hp version.

The Group has invested €717 million in the project, launched in early 2008, of which €460 million for research and development. In all, 52 patents have been filed and 1,200 engineers and technicians have been involved. A total of €257 million was allocated for capital spending projects in eastern France, mainly at the Trémery plant.

In the start-up phase since September 2011, the new EB engine will be produced at Trémery. The project has a potential annual production capacity of 640,000 engines and will create 500 jobs. Brought on stream in 1979, Trémery is the world's leading diesel engine production facility with a total output of 35 million units. The plant currently has 3,720 employees.

In a second phase, the new engines designed in France will be produced in Latin America and China to meet local needs and will represent a key asset for the Group's international expansion.

The new three-cylinder petrol engine, which integrates the most advanced environmental technology, will enable PSA Peugeot Citroën to strengthen its leadership in low-carbon-emission vehicles.