Before the appearance of eVMP platform, PSA Group has two new energy platforms at this stage, namely CMP shared modular platform and EMP2 high-efficiency modular platform.
The former supports BEV(Battery Electric Vehicle) pure electric vehicle, namely E-CMP; The latter only supports PHEV plug-in hybrid, also known as EMP2 V4 platform.
Core information about the new eVMP platform
The main reason for launching the new platform is that EMP2 was originally planned as a pure fuel-powered platform, especially the support for chassis battery module was not good enough to cope with the development and production of BEV (electric vehicle) models. At the same time, in order to merge with FCA, it has won the right to speak technically.
Therefore, PSA Group is investing in the research and development of a new eVMP platform, and confirmed in May 2019 that it will be launched in Mombelli Yar-sochaux, the headquarters of Peugeot.
The first brand-new car built on the eVMP platform is expected to be the next generation 3008 (Project: P64), which will be unveiled in late 2022 and launched in 2023.
In addition to the next generation 3008, the Crossover model (Project：P54) based on the next generation 308 may also be the first product of the eVMP platform.
Data Analysis of Electrified Transformation Products
Since PSA Group announced that the period from 2019 to 2020 is the first year of electrification transformation, a number of PHEV models have been launched based on the existing EMP2 platform, and a number of small BEVs have also been born based on the e-CMP electrification platform derived from the CMP common modular platform.
Counting the electric vehicles of PSA Group’s PCDOV brand matrix (Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel, Vauxhall), now they include brand-new C4, 208, 2008, Corsa, Mokka and DS 3 Crossback, all of which are products of e-CMP platform.
Among them, the electric version 2008 has been imported into China by Wuhan Shenlong Company, and then the new generation C4 will also be imported into Shenlong. The DS 3 Crossback electric version will be introduced into domestic sales in 2020 as an electric vehicle.
It can be seen that PSA Group has accelerated in the BEV field since it implemented the electrification transformation strategy. However, because the products of CMP platform mainly focus on B-segment small cars (including quasi-C-segment models, that is, sub-compact), there is an urgent need for a new electric platform to expand the product line in C-segment and D-segment markets.
PSA Group’s first half of 2020 financial report title page
According to the information mentioned in the financial report of Tang Weishi, Chairman of PSA Group Management Committee in the first half of 2020, the eVMP platform that will be born in the future not only supports two-wheel drive (FWD), but also supports four-wheel drive (AWD). And to some extent, eVMP platform will gradually replace EMP2 platform.
According to the revealed model drawing, the front cabin of the four-wheel drive version is reserved with an ICE(Internal Combustion Engine) installation position, and the rear axle is similar to the current EMP2 V4 platform, with a multi-link structure and a motor arranged in the center of the rear axle.
The maximum power of the four-wheel drive version will reach 340Ps(250kW), which shows that PSA’s future electric vehicle products may develop towards high-performance routes.
Another information is also very important, that is, the design idea of eVMP platform has changed. It is not an ICE platform with battery pack (e.g. e-CMP), but a BEV platform that supports the installation of ICE. This is a very interesting place, that is to say, it gives priority to BEV Layout.
Information on reducing carbon dioxide
In terms of batteries, PSA Group has teamed up with Saft, a subsidiary of Total, and set up a battery joint company to carry out research and development. In the future, according to the concept of providing 50kWh per meter wheelbase, the battery capacity of eVMP platform will be between 60-100kWh.
In this way, based on the WLTP cycle rules, the battery life can be at least 400km, and the maximum cruising range can reach 650km, which has a great performance improvement compared with the current e-CMP platform electric vehicle.
According to the French news, in order to reduce costs and expand the application level, the modular platform of eVMP electric vehicles will inevitably use the structure of the current EMP2 platform. However, as an upgraded platform, its performance improvement is particularly expected.
The combined new group will have 14 automobile brands.
And once the new Stellantis group, which is formed by PSA Peugeot AG and FCA Group, gets the green light in early 2021, PSA will launch a technical offensive with eVMP and e-CMP.
We should know that the electrification transformation process of FCA has obviously lagged behind that of PSA. (Author | Steve)