Peugeot SR1 hybrid concept

The Peugeot SR1 – a Peugeot 407-sized convertible with a folding canvas roof and a two-plus-one seating arrangement – features a hybrid system which combines a front-mounted 218bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with a 95bhp electric motor located at the rear of the car.

This hybrid powertrain delivers more than 300bhp, whilst keeping emissions below 120g/km.

In electric-only mode, the car becomes a Zero Emission Vehicle, with a combined cycle fuel consumption of 57.7 mpg.

The SR1 is the first model to incorporate Peugeot’s new Hybrid4 technology, expected to make its production debut next year on the 3008.

Peugeot is currently investing heavily in green technologies, with developments including the first production diesel hybrid for the Peugeot 3008, a three-cylinder petrol engine and an ongoing downsizing strategy to increase efficiency.

Peugeot’s range of cars in the future will use four new green technologies:

100% electric: Peugeot’s I0n compact city car will launch onto the European market at the end of this year. With a top speed of 80 mph and a range of 80 miles when fully charged, its Li-Ion batteries can be recharged fully in six hours via a standard household electrical socket, or to 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes.

Micro-Hybrid: Peugeot’s e-HDi system is said to improve both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 15 per cent. It will be rolled-out across the model range from the end of 2011.

Full-Hybrid: Due in the spring of 2011, the 3008 Hybrid4 will combine environmental efficiency with versatility. It will improve fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 35 per cent (74.3 mpg, 99g of CO2), whilst also benefitting from a fully-electric “zero emission” mode which will further improve fuel economy, boost performance to 200bhp and include silent operation.

Hybrid4 Plug-in: In 2012 Peugeot will introduce a plug-in version of its Hybrid4 technology, with the aims of cutting CO2 emissions to 50g/km and 141mpg.

Peugeot has also updated its iconic Lion badge, with a new simpler 3D design – discarding the current blue flag background for a more fluid and modern look.

The Peugeot RCZ will be the first production vehicle to display the new badge when it goes on sale in the spring.

Peugeot’s new look is thanks to its latest design chief, Gilles Vidal. In charge of the marque’s concept car division since the beginning of 2009, he was responsible for creating the Peugeot BB1 electric city car concept with its motorbike-style handlebars.

Vidal famously penned the GTbyCitroen, as seen in the Gran Turismo racing game.

Gallery: GTbyCitroen in London

Sad news for petrolheads everywhere, the Peugeot SR1 is a design study and will not go into production.

Rhian Angharad Jones