The PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroen and DS) has become the first manufacturer to publish real-world fuel consumption figures for their cars and vans. Vehicles sold in Europe are currently subject to standardised fuel economy and emissions tests laid down by the EU and UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe).
Such procedures involve vehicles being tested under laboratory conditions on a rolling road, whereby MPG (miles per gallon) and CO2 emissions figures are calculated.
When it comes to measuring everyday fuel consumption figures, however, such tests have often proved inaccurate – with laboratory conditions failing to represent real-world driving scenarios.
Announced in November 2015, PSA Group revealed it would release real-world fuel consumption data for its cars in order to be more transparent with customers
So far, 30 models have had their “actual” MPG figures released. Unsurprisingly, all Peugeot, Citroen and DS vehicles see a drop in their fuel economy figures when calculated using the revised test.
- Despite claiming to be capable of 94.1mpg, the Citroen C3 BlueHDi 75hp only manages to achieve 57.6mpg in real-world conditions.
- The Peugeot 208 1.6-litre BlueHDi 120hp also disappoints returning just 60.1mpg compared to a laboratory figure of 94.1mpg.
- The Peugeot 2008 1.2-litre Puretech 82hp on the other hand is one of the more “honest” cars, missing its claimed 57.6mpg fuel economy by a smaller 13.5mpg.
The real-world efficiency figures are measured using procedures created by two non-governmental organisations – Transport and Environment (T&E) and France Nature Environment (FNE). Using a method based on the European Union’s Real Driving Emissions (RDE) project, the vehicle’s fuel economy is measured by a portable emissions measurement system fitted to the car.
The PSA Group also announced that it will be offering an online simulator, letting customers predict their vehicles’ fuel consumption based on road type, conditions and driving style. A mobile phone application will also be made available, allowing customers to track and manage their fuel consumption.
Announcing further plans for the group, Gilless Le Borgne, executive vice president, research and development for the PSA Group, said “As part of its drive to continuously provide customers with more information, the Group will publish figures for another 20 models by the end of the year.
“in 2017, the PSA Group will move to the next level by extending measurements to pollutant emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in customer driving conditions.”
