PEUGEOT PureTech: A New 3-Cylinder family of engines that signifies ultra efficient motoring.

• PureTech is the name given to the new range of three-cylinder naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.0- and 1.2-litre petrol engines
• PureTech engines have the power and torque of a 1.6-litre engine from a smaller 1.2-litre capacity
• Average fuel economy improvement of 18% is available in 108, 208, 2008 and 308 from March

PureTech is the latest in a long line of PEUGEOT powertrain innovations, designed to produce powerful performance from ultra-efficient, small-capacity petrol engines.

PureTech is a new modular family of three-cylinder engines which feature state-of-the-art product and manufacturing technology. The range is comprised of 1.0- and 1.2-litre naturally aspirated, and 1.2-litre turbocharged direct injection engines. The latter unit is the first turbocharged direct injection petrol engine developed solely by PSA. The engines cover the power range from 50kW to 96kW (68hp to 130hp).

This efficiency means all the benefits of a 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit from a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, with a genuine breakthrough in terms of fuel economy, low CO₂ and drivability.

PureTech is a key part of parent company PSA Group’s commitment to reduce its average CO₂ emissions to an average of 95g/km by 2020. PSA was the leading low CO₂ automotive producer in 2012 with CO₂ of 121.5g/km and is reducing the weighted average emissions of CO₂ of its European range still further with 115.9g/km in 2013.

Four years in development, the PureTech engine is about optimised combustion in harmony with excellent dynamic and ‘fun to drive’ performance. The technology will maintain PEUGEOT’s leadership on engine emissions and fuel efficiency – key areas for both retail and business new car buyers.

Over 250 engineers have been working on the technology since 2010, part of a PSA investment that runs into many hundreds of millions of Euros. The results are ground-breaking and have led to applications for 121 patents.

The development team’s focus has been creating high-performance engines for mid-range vehicles. PureTech will be deployed worldwide in PEUGEOT cars, and will debut on the new PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW from March 2014, before appearing in the 108, 208 and 2008 Crossover later in the year. Average fuel economy improvement is 18% compared to the 1.6-litre VTi / THP engine it replaces.

The PEUGEOT PureTech range:

New PEUGEOT 108

• 1.2-litre VTi 82 (5-speed manual)

PEUGEOT 208·      

• 1.0-litre VTi 68 (5-speed manual)
• 1.2-litre VTi 82 (5-speed manual)
• 1.2-litre e-VTi 82 (5-speed EGC stop-start)

PEUGEOT 2008

• 1.2-litre VTi 82 (5-speed manual)
• 1.2-litre e-VTi 82 (5-speed EGC stop-start)

 New PEUGEOT 308 (Hatchback & SW)

• 1.2-litre VTi 82 (5-speed manual)
• 1.2-litre e-THP 110 (5-speed manual stop-start)
• 1.2-litre e-THP 130 (6-speed manual stop-start)
• 1.2-litre e-THP 130 (6-speed automatic stop-start)

Denis Fourchon, Chief Engineer of PureTech, said “I believe PureTech benefits from all the knowledge and experience gained during eight years of production of turbocharged direct injection engines, work which was rewarded with seven ‘Engine of the Year’ awards. Our main objective with the PureTech engine was to have a real benefit in fuel economy without any drawbacks in the ‘fun to drive’ of PEUGEOT cars. We believe we have done this and have reached our target. For example on the new 308, the result is 21% greater economy than in a previous generation car with the four-cylinder 1.6-litre VTi / THP engine.” 

Key to the success of the PureTech program has been a desire to develop the power and torque of a larger engine in a compact low-capacity unit. This has been done thanks to the development of a new generation of high-efficiency turbocharger. It means PureTech engines offer the best compromise of torque/power at low revs, with 95% of torque available from 1,500rpm to 3,500rpm. The technology reduces the requirement to change down gears and ensures good power delivery.

The combustion process has been redesigned to get the most from the technologies used in the engine. The position of the injector, shape of the spray, management of injection speed (up to three injections per combustion cycle) and injection pressure (up to 200 bars) make it possible to have optimised fuel spraying in the combustion chamber for the best possible combustion.

Other features and benefits of the PureTech engine include:

A Cast Iron Engine Block

• Allows quicker engine warm-up which maintains heat better than a conventional aluminium engine block
• The extra weight penalty of iron over aluminium is negated by the reduced size of the engine block and the weight advantages of having one less cylinder

Turbocharging and Direct Fuel Injection

• Ensures more air and fuel go into the engine because the turbocharger forces air into the cylinder
• Direct fuel injection delivers the fuel straight into the combustion chamber, ensuring there is no waste of fuel and more fuel is converted to actual performance

Aerodynamics

• The aerodynamic performance of the vehicle is enhanced, greatly helped by the smaller engine size and it being easier to package

Revised Gear Ratios

• Increased engine power allows the gears to be taller and easier to drive, with less frequent gear changes

Reduced Friction and Oil Pump Losses

• One less cylinder means less power loss to friction and 25% less air to be displaced by the pistons
• Variable volume oil pump better controls the amount of oil distributed into the engine and therefore reduces power loss

Cooling System

• When the engine is first started, coolant circulation is controlled to allow the engine to warm to operating temperature as quickly as possible. This improves efficiency and reduces fuel consumption. When optimum engine temperature is reached the normal coolant circulation is resumed

Offset Flywheel

• Generates counter balancing vibrations for smoother and quieter operation

 Advanced Electronics

• Allows the engine to re-start within 400milli-seconds in stop-start conditions

Engine Noise

• Three-cylinder engine has unique sound as the cylinders work to deliver the same performance as four cylinders. This creates a unique and characterful personality for the car

Torque and Power Delivery

• PureTech delivers instant torque and constant power delivery, similar to that of a diesel engine

Cleverly combining advanced efficiencies with a compact and durable construction means the new PureTech engines provides customers with all the operational advantages (power, economy, driveability and durability) with the benefit of low CO₂ and enhanced performance

Turbocharged PureTech enhances performance further

• 1.2-litre Turbo engine expands the new PureTech range in the latest PEUGEOT vehicles
• Two power output versions are available – with 110 and 130bhp
• Three-cylinder configuration saves weight and is more compact

The new three-cylinder PureTech e-THP Turbo is an extension of the EB petrol engine family, produced at the Française de Mécanique plant in Douvrin, in northern France, combining compact dimensions and light weight with breakthrough performance for its modest 1.2-litre capacity.

The Best Things Come in Small Packages

PEUGEOT uses three-cylinder architecture and a range of technologies to meet demanding technical specifications and ensure outstanding at-the-wheel pleasure:

• Reduced fuel consumption and low CO₂ emissions
• Designed for durability and uncompromising durability

Reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions

Performance though downsizing, the PureTech e-THP Turbo engines were designed with a high specific performance level to increase yield while reducing capacity. The engines stand as the finest achievement thus far in downsizing and illustrate the extensive expertise in direct-injection turbo engine production (the larger EP 1.6-litre THP engine has previously won seven notable industry awards in the category). The PureTech 1.2-litre Turbo engines reduce CO₂ emissions by 18% compared with current 4-cylinder engines, while providing true driving pleasure due to generous torque at the low engine speeds.

The new 3-cylinder engine is efficient, clean, compact and modular. Using a new-generation, high-yield turbo (running at speeds of 240,000rpm) the PureTech 1.2-litre e-THP Turbo unit produces an ideal low-speed torque and power, with 95% of max torque available from 1,500rpm through to 3,500rpm. The PureTech 1.2-litre e-THP Turbo engine is initially fitted on the new PEUGEOT 308 (107g/km of CO₂) from March 2014, followed soon after by the 2008 Crossover and 208 Hatchback.

Optimised combustion

The combustion system was honed to fully capitalise on the engine's technologies, including the adoption of centrally positioned, high-pressure 200 bar direct injection. The position of the injector, the shape of the spray (due to laser technology), the management of injection pulses (up to three injections per combustion) and the injection pressure (up to 200 bar) ensure optimal spraying in the combustion chamber, the result being the best combustion possible. Fuel consumption and pollutant gas emissions were cut drastically by optimising the internal aerodynamics of the combustion chamber and using a variable intake and exhaust timing system.

The engine architecture and technologies feature the tried-and-tested choices used on the normally-aspirated PureTech engine that have set a new standard in the segment. One of the key objectives was to limit mechanical losses through friction, which account for roughly 20% of the power consumed. This objective was met by adjusting the size of the crankshaft, offsetting the cylinders and using a lubricated timing belt.

A diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating was used on the piston pins, rings and push rods to reduce friction. The oil pump is controlled electronically to provide the optimal amount of lubrication.
The result? Friction is a full 30% lower than on the top performance engine. The PureTech family is now the benchmark-setting engine in the segment.

Key figures for the PureTech 1.2-litre e-THPTurbo engine:

• Power choice between 110 to 130bhp
• 18% reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions (102 to 110g/km of CO₂)
• Significantly reduced weight and size for class-leading performance and driving pleasure
• Modular design: 40% of the engine components are taken from the normally-aspirated unit
• Already compliant with the Euro 6.1 standard, effective from September 2014
• Technological innovation: 121 patents filed by the Group
• The PureTech 1.2-litre e-THP Turbo engine has been subjected to stringent testing, with over 25,000 hours on bench testing and more than one million miles of road tests