The group received an International Engine of the Year award for its 3-cylinder Turbo PureTech engine on Wednesday 17 June.
The engine was named best in the 1.0-litre to 1.4-litre category, crowning a successful run that has already seen 100,000 units roll off the production line at the Française de Mécanique plant in Douvrin, France. The honour was bestowed as part of the 17th annual International Engine of the Year Awards, organised by UK magazine Engine Technology International in Stuttgart, Germany.
The PureTech family of 3-cylinder engines boasts extremely high levels of performance, cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by an average of 18% compared with its predecessors. The 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre naturally aspirated versions have been manufactured since 2012 at the French Trémery plant, which has an annual production capacity of 640,000 units. The 1.2-litre turbo versions have been split since 2014 between the Française de Mécanique plant and the Xiangyang plant in China, which have respective annual production capacities of 320,000 and 200,000 units.
In March 2015 at an event attended by French President François Hollande, it was announced the group would increase the Trémery plant's production capacity by 200,000 units. The announcement followed a surge in demand for the Turbo PureTech engine, which equips the car manufacturer's mid-range models.
The PureTech family of engines is fitted on the Citroën C1, C3, C3 Picasso, C4, C4 Cactus and C4 Picasso, the DS 3 and DS 4.
Commenting on the award, Christian Chapelle, Vice President Powertrain and Chassis Engineering, said: "With overall average emissions of 110.3 grams per kilometre, PSA leads the European market on the CO2 front. This prestigious prize for our 3-cylinder Turbo PureTech engine rewards the Group's engineering expertise in petrol engines. It is wonderful recognition of the technological progress we've made through R&D as part of our ongoing drive to lower fuel consumption."
About the International Engine of the Year Award
Organised by Engine Technology International magazine, the International Engine of the Year Award is one of the automotive industry's most sought-after accolades. It is decided by an international panel of 84 renowned motoring journalists from 34 countries, based on their impressions of driving the latest model cars. These tests enable them to rank the powerplants offering the best driveability, performance and fuel economy, as well as the successful application of advanced engine technology.