The system will be installed in a C3 and the company claims improvements in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions cut by 45 percent in city driving over a standard C3 in the same conditions.
Hybrid Air works in Air Mode up to 70km/h, with recharging of the compressed air reservoir during deceleration and braking. The car also works in Petrol Mode and Hybrid Mode, and a computerised engine management system will shift power take between the different modes as conditions dermand.
Citroen believes it makes a cheaper hybrid system because there are no expensive batteries required, as in the case of electric hybrid systems.
