Test drive Opel to develop gasoline engines for Groupe PSA

The four-cylinder units will arrive from Rüsselsheim, with the French taking responsibility for the diesels.

In addition to electrification, highly efficient and economical internal combustion engines play an important role in reducing emissions. Groupe PSA is leading the automotive industry in the implementation of the European emission standard Euro 6d-TEMP, which includes the measurement of real emissions when driving on public roads (Real Driving Emissions, RDE). A total of 79 variants already comply with the Euro 6d-TEMP emission standard. Euro 6d-TEMP compliant petrol, CNG and LPG units will be available across the entire Opel range - from ADAM, KARL and Corsa, Astra, Cascada and Insignia to Mokka X, Crossland X, Grandland X and Zafira - plus corresponding diesel versions .

A new strategic plan to reduce emissions through innovative systems

In principle, diesel engines have low CO2 emissions and are environmentally friendly from this point of view. The advanced diesel engines of the latest generation also have low NOx levels thanks to gas purification and are Euro 6d-TEMP compliant. An innovative combination of oxidation catalyst / NOx scavenger and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) ensures the lowest possible NOx emissions for four-cylinder units. Owners of high-tech diesel engines need not worry about future bans. The new BlueHDi 1.5 and 2.0 blocks are already used in the new Opel Grandland X.

The new 100-liter, fully digital design four-cylinder diesel engine is more efficient than the engine it replaces. Opel offers this unit with 1.5 kW / 96 hp. for Grandland X with a six-speed manual transmission with Start / Stop system (fuel consumption: urban 130 l / 4.7 km, out of town 100-3.9 l / 3.8 km, combined cycle 100-4.2 l / 4.1 km, 100- 110 g / km CO108). The maximum torque is 2 Nm at 300 rpm.

The cylinder head with integrated intake manifolds and crankcase are made of lightweight aluminum alloys, and four valves per cylinder are driven by two overhead camshafts. The common rail injection system operates at pressures up to 2,000 bar and has eight-hole injectors. Machine with a capacity of 96 kW / 130 hp equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), the blades of which are driven by an electric motor.

To reduce emissions, the gas purification system, including passive oxidation / NOx absorber, AdBlue injector, SCR catalyst and diesel particulate filter (DPF) are grouped together in a single compact unit located as close to the engine as possible. The NOx scavenger acts as a cold start catalyst, reducing NOx emissions at temperatures below the SCR response limits. Thanks to this innovative technology, Opel vehicles powered by the new 1.5-liter diesel engine now meet the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) limits required by 2020.

The same with the top-end transmission for Grandland X: 2.0-liter turbodiesel (fuel consumption1: urban 5.3-5.3 l / 100 km, extra-urban 4.6-4.5 l / 100 km, combined cycle 4.9-4.8 l / 100 km, 128 - 126 g / km CO2) has an output of 130 kW / 177 hp. at 3,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm. It accelerates the Grandland X from zero to 100 km / h in 9.1 seconds and has a top speed of 214 km / h.

Despite its dynamic qualities, the Grandland X 2.0 diesel engine is extremely efficient with cumulative emissions of less than five liters. Like the 1.5-liter diesel, it also has an extremely efficient gas purification system with a combination of a NOx absorber and AdBlue injection (SCR, Selective Catalytic Reduction), which removes nitrogen oxides (NOx) from them. An aqueous urea solution is injected and reacts with nitrogen oxides in the SCR catalytic converter to generate nitrogen and water vapor.

The new eight-speed automatic transmission also contributes to significant savings in fuel consumption. After the flagship Insignia, the Grandland X is the second Opel model to feature such a comfortable and efficient automatic transmission, with new models coming soon.

Groupe PSA PureTech 3 three-cylinder three-cylinder petrol engine sets new standards

High-performance downsized turbocharged gasoline engines are just as essential to a healthy mix as electric motors, hybrids and clean diesels. Groupe PSA PureTech gasoline units are similar to modern cars. The high-performance all-aluminum three-cylinder engine has won four consecutive Engine of the Year awards, setting standards in the automotive industry. Opel is using these economical downsized 1.2-liter units in the Crossland X, Grandland X and, in the near future, the Combo and Combo Life. To reduce logistics costs, engine production is carried out as close as possible to the car factory. Due to strong demand, the production capacity of the French factories Dorwin and Tremeri in 2018 was doubled compared to 2016. In addition, from 2019 Groupe PSA will produce PureTech engines in the Pacific region (Poland) and Szentgotthard (Hungary).

Most PureTech motors are already Euro 6d-TEMP compliant. Direct injection engines are equipped with an efficient gas cleaning system including a particulate filter, a new type of catalytic converter and extremely efficient temperature management. New generation oxygen sensors allow accurate analysis of the fuel-air mixture. The latter is created by direct injection at pressures up to 250 bar.

Internal friction in the three-cylinder engine is minimized to reduce fuel consumption. PureTech engines are extremely compact in design and take up little space in the vehicle. This gives designers more creative freedom, while improving aerodynamics and thus fuel consumption.

The base petrol engine of the Opel Crossland X is a 1.2-liter unit with 60 kW / 81 hp. (fuel consumption1: urban 6.2 l / 100 km, out of town 4.4 l / 100 km, combined 5.1 l / 100 km, 117 g / km CO2). Up the line is the direct injection 1.2 Turbo petrol with two transmission options:

• The extremely economical ECOTEC variant is available exclusively with a friction-optimized six-speed manual transmission (fuel consumption1: 5.4 l / 100 km, out of town 4.3 l / 100 km, combined 4.7 l / 100 km, 107 g / km CO2) and has a power of 81 kW / 110 hp.

• The 1.2 Turbo has the same power in combination with a six-speed automatic transmission (fuel consumption1: urban 6.5-6.3 l / 100 km, extra-urban 4.8 l / 100 km, combined cycle 5.4-5.3 l / 100 km, 123- 121 g / km CO2).

Both engines deliver 205 Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm, with 95 percent remaining available up to the limit of the most commonly used 3,500 rpm range. With so much torque at low revs, the Opel Crossland X delivers a dynamic and economical ride.

The most powerful is the 1.2 Turbo with 96 kW / 130 hp, maximum torque of 230 Nm even at 1,750 rpm (fuel consumption 1: urban 6.2 l / 100 km, extra-urban 4.6 l / 100 km, mixed 5.1 l / 100 km, 117 g / km CO2), which is designed for a six-speed manual transmission. With it, the Opel Crossland X accelerates from zero to 100 km / h in 9.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 201 km / h.

The top-of-the-line PureTech three-cylinder petrol engine also powers the Opel Grandland X. In this case, the 1.2-liter version of the turbo direct injection engine also has 96 kW / 130 hp. (Fuel consumption 1.2 Turbo1: urban 6.4-6.1 l / 100 km, out of town 4.9-4.7 l / 100 km, combined 5.5-5.2 l / 100 km, 127-120 g / km CO2). This dynamic unit, equipped with an automatic transmission, propels the compact SUV from zero to 100 km / h in 10.9 seconds.

New generation four-cylinder petrol engines from Rüsselsheim

The Rüsselsheim Engineering Center will assume global responsibility for the development of the next generation of high-performance gasoline engines for all of the PSA Groupe brands (Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel and Vauxhall). The four-cylinder engines will be optimized to work in conjunction with electric motors and will be used in hybrid powertrains. Their market activity will begin in 2022.

The new engine generation will be used by all Groupe PSA brands in China, Europe and North America and will meet future emission standards in these markets. The units will be equipped with advanced technology solutions such as direct fuel injection, turbocharging and adaptive valve timing. They will be extremely efficient with low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

“Rüsselsheim has been globally responsible for engine development ever since Opel was part of GM. With the development of a new generation of four-cylinder petrol engines, we are able to further develop one of our key areas of expertise. Fuel-efficient direct injection units combined with hybrid technology will strengthen Groupe PSA's strong position in reducing CO2 emissions,” said Christian Müller, Opel's managing director of engineering.

Opel and electricity

Among other things, Opel will develop an electric drive. The electrification of the Opel product range is an important element of the PACE! strategic plan. One of the main goals of this plan is to reach the 95 grams of CO2 emission limit required by the European Union by 2020 and offer customers green cars. Groupe PSA develops its expertise in low emission technologies. The platforms developed by Groupe PSA will enable the Opel and Vauxhall brands to have efficient electric propulsion systems. By 2024, all Opel/Vauxhall vehicles will be based on these multi-energy platforms. The new CMP (Common Modular Platform) is the basis for both conventional power plants and electric vehicles (from urban to SUVs). In addition, EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform) is the basis for the next generation of internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrid vehicles (SUVs, crossovers, lower and upper midrange models). These platforms allow flexible adaptation in the development of the propulsion system, taking into account future market needs.

Opel will have four electrified models by 2020, including the Ampera-e, Grandland X as a plug-in hybrid and the next-generation Corsa with pure electric drive. As a next step, all cars in the European market will be electrified as a pure electric drive or as a plug-in hybrid, in addition to high-efficiency petrol-powered models. Thus, Opel / Vauxhall will become the leader in emission reductions and become a fully electrified European brand by 2024. The electrification of light commercial vehicles will begin in 2020 to meet customer needs for future demands in urban areas.

The new Opel Corsa as an all-electric car in 2020

A team of engineers in Rüsselsheim is currently actively developing an electric version of the new generation Corsa, powered by a battery. Opel can count on solid experience in the development of two electric vehicles: the Ampera (which premiered at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show) and the Ampera-e (Paris, 2016). The Opel Ampera-e is fully functional for everyday use and sets the standard for range up to 520 km based on NEDC. Whether it is hardware, software or battery design, Groupe PSA values ​​Rüsselsheim's expertise. The new Corsa, including its electric version, will be produced at the Spanish plant in Zaragoza.

“Opel and the other brands that make up the Groupe PSA will have the right solutions for their customers at the right time,” says Opel CEO Michael Lochscheler. “However, the supply of electric vehicles alone will not be enough to significantly accelerate the development of electric mobility. All participants in the process of technological development - industry and governments - should work together in this direction, in addition to cars, for example, to create an infrastructure based on charging stations. Closing the circle between future mobility and renewable energy is a challenge facing society as a whole. On the other hand, buyers decide what to buy. The whole package has to be thought out and worked for them.”

Electric mobility is a must. For customers, an electric car should not create stress and should be easy to drive, like a car with an internal combustion engine. Based on a broad-based strategic plan for electromobility, Groupe PSA develops a comprehensive range of products to meet the needs of customers around the world. It includes building a full range of battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). By 2021, 50 percent of the Groupe PSA range will have an electric option (BEV or PHEV). By 2023, this value will increase to 80 percent, and by 2025 to 100 percent. The introduction of mild hybrids will begin in 2022. In addition, the Engineering Center in Rüsselsheim is working intensively on fuel cells – for electric vehicles with a range of about 500 kilometers, which can be charged in less than three minutes (fuel cell electric vehicles, FCEV).

To deal with the challenges of energy transition more quickly, on April 1, 2018, Groupe PSA announced the creation of the LEV (Low Emission Vehicles) business unit with the task of developing electric vehicles. This department, led by Alexandre Ginar, which includes all Groupe PSA brands including Opel/Vauxhall, will be responsible for defining and implementing the Group's electric vehicle strategy, as well as its implementation in production and service worldwide. . This is an important step towards achieving the Group's goal of developing an electric option for the entire product range by 2025. The process starts in 2019.

An important element in terms of the development of electric vehicles is the fact that they will be developed and produced within the Groupe PSA. This applies to electric motors and transmissions, which is why Groupe PSA, for example, has established strategic partnerships with electric motor specialist Nidec and transmission manufacturer AISIN AW. In addition, a partnership with Punch Powertrain was recently announced that will give all Groupe PSA brands access to proprietary e-DCT (Electrified Dual Clutch Transmission) systems. This will allow more drive options to be introduced from 2022: the so-called DT2 hybrids have an integrated 48V electric motor and will be available for mild hybrids in the future. The electric motor serves as a high torque auxiliary drive or recovers energy during braking. The DCT is extremely lightweight and compact, offering exceptional dynamics and very low cost at a competitive price.