Citroen C4 BioFlex

The C4 BioFlex thus initiates a virtuous cycle of reducing and absorbing greenhouse gas emissions.

C4 BioFlex: an impressive economic scorecard

The economic scorecard of biofuel vehicles varies according to country and tax policy. At about €0.80 per litre, current E85 prices in France make the C4 BioFlex particularly competitive. In addition, biofuel use is encouraged by certain tax systems:

- 50% or total exemption – depending on the region – from the pro-rata tax on car registration fees,
- Exemption from the tax on company vehicles for 2 years,
- Exceptional amortization of company cars over a period of 12 months, instead of 5 years,
- 80% recovery of VAT on fuel.

E85 is already widely used in Sweden. The country has 650 E85 fuel pumps and more than 13% of vehicles sold in 2006 were Flexfuel models. Numerous fiscal incentives (tax, tolls and parking) favor the use of biofuel.

Over a combined cycle, the C4 BioFlex consumes 9.8 l/100 km and emits 160 g of CO2 per km, compared with 7.1 l/100 km and 169 g of CO2 per km for the standard 1.6i 16V model.

Although the C4 BioFlex consumes more fuel, it is considerably cheaper to run. In France, it costs 7.84 Euro cents per kilometer, with E85 fuel at €0.80 a liter, compared with the conventional model’s 9.23 Euro cents per kilometer, with SP95 petrol at €1.30 a litter.

C4 BioFlex: technological advance for real results

The C4 BioFlex powertrain was designed and developed to run on normal unleaded fuel (RON 95 or 98), on bioethanol with up to 85% ethanol content (E85), and on a mix of the two containing between 0 and 85% ethanol.

Developing the C4 BioFlex required work in two key areas. First, all components and parts had to tolerate contact with ethanol. Second, the engine had to function optimally regardless of the proportion of alcohol in the fuel.

Imported from Brazil, the engine features several modifications already applied to engines used locally, mainly concerning parts that come into contact with the fuel, such as rings and valve seats.

Changes were also made to the fuel circulation system, involving the tank, fuel gauge and pump module, pipes and fuel filter.

Finally, the engine software has been adapted to include new settings that adjust automatically to the alcohol content in the fuel. Each time the tank is filled, an analysis is made of alcohol content in order to select the best operating curve. During the analysis, the engine functions with “protection” settings compatible with all authorized fuel blends containing between 0 and 85% ethanol content.

Performance has been boosted in E85 mode, with maximum power of 82 kW (or 113 bhp DIN, compared with 80 kW/110 bhp DIN) still at 5,800 rpm – for a 2.5% improvement – and maximum engine torque of 153 Nm (up from 147 Nm), still at 4,000 rpm, for a 4% improvement.

Running on standard unleaded fuel (SP95), the engine performs practically identically to the 1.6i 16V version.

The adaptation is completely transparent for the customer, apart from the maintenance plan, with services every 20,000 km for the French market.

Date : 20 Aug 2007 14:46:31 Source: Citroen

Date : 20 Aug 2007 14:46:31
Source: Citroen