Groupe PSA strengthens its electric offensive with a new eVMP platform (Electric Vehicle Modular Platform)

• Between 2020 and 2025, Groupe PSA will gradually move from two multi-energy platforms to two 100% electrified platforms to support the e-mobility development.
• New eVMP platform will serve as the basis for a wide range of electric vehicles for the C- and D- segments.
• eVMP will offer high-performance with an autonomy of up to 650 km (WLTP cycle) and a benchmark storage capacity with 50 kWh per meter available within the wheelbase.

Groupe PSA considers that being in perfect harmony with the development of the electric vehicle market is a determining factor in the relevance of its offer. Thereby, the group will launch from 2023, vehicles in C- and D-segments from sedan to SUV in different regions of the world. These vehicles will benefit from this new reference platform, eVMP "Electric Vehicle Modular Platform".

eVMP concentrates all the Groupe PSA's engineering know-how with 60 to 100 kWh of embedded energy and an optimised architecture that exploits the entire sub-floor for the battery. By restoring 50 kWh per meter within the wheelbase, it is benchmark in the electric vehicle market and will therefore be able to offer an all-electric range from 400 km to 650 km (WLTP cycle) depending on the body. In order to provide a high-performance solution adapted to each mobility need anywhere in the world, hybrid derivatives may be offered on certain markets on the basis of this state of the art electric platform.

In addition to high level of technical performance, the efficiency of eVMP also lies in the optimisation of R&D and industrialisation costs. This is achieved through the use of certain sub-assemblies and existing high-performance battery modules. In addition, the industrial process has been studied to obtain maximum synergies with the existing means in our plants, therefore limiting investments. In the same logic of making in-house electrical components, this platform complements parts developed and manufactured with Groupe PSA or with its e-motors or ACC Joint venture.

"With this eVMP platform, Groupe PSA once again demonstrates its ability to innovate by developing for its customer’s state-of-the-art and affordable technologies thanks to the frugality that has enabled a significant reduction in R&D and industrial investments. This global platform will make it possible to offer a range of vehicles that are perfectly respectful of the environment, meeting the changing expectations of our customers and guaranteeing driving pleasure and safety on board, values that are the basis of the Group's reputation today", said Nicolas Morel, Research and Development Director at Groupe PSA.

Christian Müller appointed new Head of Powertrain & Chassis Engineering for the Groupe PSA

• Christian Müller, current Opel R&D chief, succeeds Alain Raposo at Groupe PSA level with the same responsibilities
• Marcus Lott to follow Christian Müller as Vice President Opel/Vauxhall Engineering

Christian Müller

Christian Müller, currently Managing Director Engineering Opel Automobile GmbH has been appointed new Head of Powertrain & Chassis Engineering of Groupe PSA effective August 1. He will report to Nicolas Morel, EVP Research & Development. He will succeed Alain Raposo who has served in this position since May 2018. Alain Raposo has chosen to leave Groupe PSA voluntarily at the end of August 2020 in order to pursue a personal project.

Marcus Lott, Vice President Body in White, Equipment & Materials Engineering and an Opel/Vauxhall engineer since 1994, will become the new head for R&D of the German and British brands and member of the Managing Board of Opel Automobile GmbH effective August 1.

Nicolas Morel, Executive Vice President Research & Development of Groupe PSA said: “I am delighted to work even closer with Christian Müller who is a leading and recognized powertrain expert in the automotive industry. And I congratulate Marcus Lott on his new position. With his many years of engineering experience, he will make a decisive contribution to successfully developing further the Opel/Vauxhall brands and the group’s Engineering Center in Rüsselsheim. These management decisions clearly demonstrate how closely integrated our engineering teams work together. German Engineering competence will continue to play a key role in the Groupe PSA.”

Michael Lohscheller, member of Groupe PSA Managing Board and CEO of Opel/Vauxhall added: “German Engineering is at the heart of Opel. As head of Opel R&D, Christian played a key role in making this visible and tangible for our customers in all of our models, like the current Corsa and future Mokka, which are also available in electric versions. I am delighted that with Marcus Lott we have appointed a highly experienced and recognized engineer as his successor. Marcus has known our company, models and people for almost 30 years now.”

Christian Müller has been Managing Director Engineering of Opel Automobile GmbH since August 1, 2017. Prior to this assignment, he held the position of Vice President GM Global Propulsion Systems – Europe. Christian Müller was born in Rüsselsheim, Germany in 1969 and received a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Darmstadt University.

Marcus Lott has been Vice President Body in White, Equipment & Materials Engineering since January this year. Before this assignment, he was Vice President Programs & Strategy of Opel/Vauxhall. Furthermore, he led the development of various vehicles in North America, South America, Asia and Europe as a chief engineer. Marcus Lott was born in Mainz, Germany in 1968 and holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering/Automotive Technology from RWTH Aachen.

Groupe PSA’s passenger cars are all certified under the new EURO 6 requirements and are immediately available for customers.

• All Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall passenger cars are approved under the new EURO 6 emission standard effective on 1 September 2019: “EURO 6d-TEMP-EVAP-ISC”.

• Thanks to sound technological choices made in anticipation of the regulations – SCR “Selective Catalytic Reduction” and GPF “Gasoline Particulate Filter” –, Groupe PSA is once again at the forefront for implementing the more stringent standards.

Nicolas Morel, Executive Vice President for Quality and Engineering at Groupe PSA, confirms: “Groupe PSA was one of the few carmakers ready last year for the first step of WLTP [1] and able to deliver all its range to its customers after 1 September 2018. One year on, Groupe PSA is on schedule again and has punctually type-approved all passenger car models in due time. Our technological choices to treat pollutant emissions allow us to offer our customers compliant and environmentally friendly vehicles.”

The targets for the measurement of passenger car emissions become tougher again on 1 September 2019, with the following additions:

• Test for RDE (Real Driving Emissions): this test defines the admissible deviation between the polluting emissions (NOx, PN) measured on vehicles in real-world driving conditions and the emissions measured in the new certification procedure. The requirement is a coefficient of 2.1 for NOx emissions. Groupe PSA models are approved. Moreover, 80% of Groupe PSA passenger cars are already compliant with the next regulation step “EURO 6d-ISC” to be implemented in January 2020 with a required coefficient of 1+0.43 of measurement dispersion.

• Test for EVAP (EVAPorative emissions): EVAP is the measurement of the amount of hydrocarbons that evaporates from a car’s fuel system over a period of 48 hours. This primarily concerns the fuel tank ventilation of petrol cars.

Test for ISC (In Service Conformity): ISC means that automobiles up to five years old and already on the road must continue to comply with all emissions standards.

These tests have already been completed for all passenger car models and the vehicles are certified accordingly. Customers can order all models from Groupe PSA’s brands (Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall) today and can be sure that their new car already meets all current standards and can be delivered without delay.

[1] WLTP: Worldwide harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure.