Citroen Hypnos first hybrid diesel into production by 2011

The French carmakers Citroen unveiled their Hypnos concept car at the Paris Auto Show and making it a reality means it will become world’s first fully functional diesel hybrid when it goes in to production in 2011. The Hypnos’s drivetrain will be based around a conventional 200 HP 2.0 Liter turbodiesel driving the front wheels. While a 50 HP electric motor provides additional thrust for the rear rollers. A combination that Citroen claims will return 62.7 MPG.

At the moment nickel hydride batteries are powering the electric motors, but the next generation is lined up to receive a set of more environmentally friendly lithium ion batteries. Citroen hopes that this hybrid setup can be applied to gasoline engines as well.

In an interview with AutoCar, Frederic Poil, the man in charge of Citroen’s hybrid powertrain project, was quoted saying that "With this combination we believe it is possible to build a car with the fuel consumption and emissions of a 1.6-liter engine, but the power of a 3.0-liter engine."