The system, which has been developed by Valeo, will be coupled with the HDi diesel engines from the Peugeot and Citroen ranges and will be features on both manual and automated manual transmissions models, with the carmaker having targeting to equip one million vehicles with the system by 2013.
The main change brought by the new generation micro-hybrid system, called i-StARS, is the fact that its control electronics are integrated into the electrical machine.
The system automatically cuts off the vehicle's engine at a red light or in a traffic jam and restarts the unit when power is needed, allowing for a CO2 emissions reduction of 5g per km (on average), and by up to 15 percent fuel economy in congested urban traffic.
“To optimize fuel savings and make driving in the Stop-Start mode smoother, i-StARS can cut off the engine even before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, that is, as soon as the vehicle's speed falls below 8 km/h with an automated transmission and 20 km/h with a manual transmission," stated the press release, explaining the way in which the new system works.
"Engine re-start is immediate (400 msec), noiseless and with no vibrations, even if the driver suddenly changes his or her mind about stopping. In addition, since the engine cut-off phases are longer and more frequent than with other systems, fuel savings are higher.”
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