I would imagine that the ULEZ scheme in Marylebone road would either ensure that all polluting vehicles are either banned or have to pay a penalty Lincs. But are the people living and working in Marylebone road none drivers? Otherwise they are part of the problem? As with all green supporters, it’s never them but somebody else…
Dunno. Mostly both car owners and public transport commuters I’d think. And yes ULEZ will greatly improve things there so perhaps a better example would be a Birmingham city centre bottleneck. On one of those still, foggy days you can get in the West Midlands.
Surely if you are a green supporter you will have ditched your diesel car some time ago and therefore by definition would not be contributing to that particular problem? So yes, its got to be someone else…
Just as a matter of interest - is a hybrid car one driven by an electric motor powered by a battery which is charged by the internal combustion engine? or is it some other arrangement?
If that is the case is the battery is much smaller than one carried in a purely electric car? is the engine also smaller than the usual engine fitted to a normal, similar sized vehicle? Where is the engine situated?
As you can guess I know bugger all about hybrid vehicles but I am interested in the concept, I sort of imagine that they are rather like a scaled down diesel electric locomotive. but I have no idea really.
There are two types of hybrids. The first one you describe is the one I have, called a full hybrid. The other one is a plug-in hybrid where the battery needs recharging at home via a wallbox or by using a charging column when being on the road.
The traction battery is smaller than that in a purely EV and the engine is smaller than in a conventional car, usually a three-cylinder one. It’s situated at the front
while the traction battery is under the rear seats. The main difference to the concept of diesel electric locomotive might be that the engine driver probably chooses which engine to use while in a full hybrid it’s all done fully automatically.
1 Like
Thanks Dachs, I also found it very interesting…
Seems like a lot of parts under that bonnet. I used to take engines out of vehicles and repair/refurb them, I don’t think I would like to tackle one of those though.
The diesel engine on a diesel electric locomotive is only used to drive an alternator and not to drive the loco…Quote from wiki:-
The defining characteristic of diesel–electric transmission is that it avoids the need for a gearbox, by converting the mechanical force of the diesel engine into electrical energy (through an alternator), and using the electrical energy to drive traction motors, which propel the vehicle mechanically.
1 Like
Good idea to look it up. I should have done that since I don’t know the first thing about it.
In a hybrid car the 12V starter battery doesn’t start the engine either but just the system booting which is why it’s smaller so that it needs to be recharged more frequently either by driving or by a battery charger - a clear downside of the concept.
1 Like
well I’ve just gone and bought an 18 month old Peugeot 208 Automatic with 2,700 miles on the clock. About £5K cheaper than a brand new one.
Looks just like this one, same colour, same year. 
1 Like
Does it already have the new automatic with that new gearbox control rather than a gear lever?
Yep, like this. The silver thingy selects R N D. For park you push the letter P and it lights up. I was told what the B is for but can’t remember.
Looks awesome and makes the whole car look very stylish. B stands for brake (engine) which I use when driving downhill.
208 features
- 12V Power Socket
- 6-Speaker Radio - MP3 Compatible
- Bluetooth Telephone Facility
- DAB - Digital Audio Broadcasting
- Front USB Socket x2 including x1 USB-C
- Mirror Screen - Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- PEUGEOT i-Cockpit 7in Capacitive Colour Touchscreen
- Rear USB Socket x2
- Roof Mounted Aerial
- Smartphone Docking Station
- Exterior Temperature Indicator with Ice Warning
- Multifunction Trip Computer
- PEUGEOT 3D i-Cockpit - Configurable 3D Head-Up Instrument Panel
- Programmable Cruise Control and Speed Limiter
- Tyre Pressure Sensors
- Visio Park 1 - 180 Degree Colour Reversing Camera
- Voice Recognition - Radio-Navigation-Telephony Features
- 16in Alloy Wheels - Soho
- Dark Tinted Rear Side and Tailgate Windows
- Door Mirror Shells - Nera Black
- Electric - Heated and Power Folding Door Mirrors
- Exhaust Pipe - Twin Chrome Right Hand Side
- Extended Diamond Black Rear Spoiler
- Exterior Door Handles - Body-Colour
- LED Side Indicator Lights Integrated into Door Mirrors
- One-Touch Electric Front Windows with Pinch Protection
- One-Touch Electric Rear Windows with Pinch Protection
- Puncture Kit
- Radiator Grille - Chrome Chequered
- Rear Bumper - Gloss Black Finish
- Rear Lower Bumper Gloss Black Diffuser Effect Trim
- Tailgate with Heated Rear Windscreen and Wiper Blade
- Eco LED Headlights
- Headlights Left On Audible Warning
- LED Daytime Running Lights - 3-Claw Headlight with Distinctive Tooth Design
- Rear Full LED 3D Peugeot Signature Claw Effect Lights with Daylight Function
- Air Conditioning - Automatic
- Central Front Armrest with Storage Compartment
- Dashboard - Front and Rear Door Panel Finish - Carbon Effect
- Driver Seat Mechanical Height Adjustment
- Electrochrome Rear View Mirror
- High Centre Console with 2 Cup Holders
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Map Pockets on Front Seat Backs
- Push Button Start
- Electric Power Steering with Reach and Rake Adjustable Steering Column
- ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distributor EBD and Emergency Brake Assist EBA
- Active Safety Brake - Pedestrians
- Airbags - Adaptive Driver and Front Passenger
- Airbags - Curtain Front and Rear
- Airbags - Driver and Front Passenger Side
- Alarm - Thatcham Category 1 Approved
- Automatic Door Locking When Moving Off
- Automatic Hazard Light Activation Upon Heavy Brake Application
- Child Locking Functionality on Rear Doors
- Deadlocking
- Electric Parking Brake
- Electronic Code Immobiliser
- ESP - Electronic Stability Programme with Hill Start Assist
- Front Three-Point Retractable Seatbelts with Force Limiters
- ISOFIX Child Seat Fittings - x2 - Second Row
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Rear Windscreen Wiper Triggered Automatically in Reverse Gear
- Seatbelt Unfastened on the Move Audible and Visual Alert for Front and Rear Seats
- Speed Limit Recognition and Recommendation
and the “Electric Parking Brake” is just a button (not the B button you mention), one push to release it and you can feel it holding you on a hill, touch the accelerator and you are off. When you stop and switch engine off, you don’t touch the button, the bake applies itself.
1 Like
Love the way car manufacturers can make just about any commonplace thing a “feature”.
2 Likes
I have that electric parking brake, too, and have got so used to it that I tend to forget to release it when driving my BH’s car. 
For the automatic I have a mild brake called “Hold” you can use when waiting at traffic lights.
Ah, you have that, too, I just realise.
yeah but gear stick and hand brake look cool
So true. Wheels are not yet included, though.
Very nice d00d, my new motor has got some of the features but not all. The electric hand brake is taking some time to get used to. I keep tugging on Mrs Fox’s leg when I stop…
However, the most important thing on a car is the engine, It’s what makes it go! And I see no mention of the engine size or means of propulsion. All the rest is just cosmetic as far as I’m concerned…
1 Like
There are three engines for the new 208, all the same CC.
3 cylinder 1.2 turbo, 75bhp, 100bhp, 130bhp. I’ve got the 130bhp
It seem car performance is no longer measured in the size or number of cylinders.
A choice of three gear boxes: 5 speed manual, 6 speed manual, 8 speed auto. I’ve got the 8 speed auto.
1 Like
What is it with Europeans and joke engines? My daughter’s motorbike is bigger.
I took a brand new rental car back when I was in the UK because it couldn’t maintain its speed going up hill, turned out all the cars were the same
You tell um Bruce.
Not bad for a 3 pot, 1.2
