Peugeot and Total recently presented an environmentally friendly town car that also boasts GTI performance and features innovative NTN-SNR components. The 208 HYbrid FE uses a new NTN-SNR wheel bearing concept specially developed for the project. This helps to combine a pleasant driving experience with and eco-friendly characteristics.

To achieve the vehicle’s impressive performance the Peugeot sports development team entrusted NTN-SNR with the bearings. "For the 208 HYbrid FE we developed a wheel bearing concept which reduces weight by between 0.5 and 1 kg per wheel depending on the knuckle design" explains Vincent Pourroy-Solari, Automotive innovation manager at NTN-SNR. This new concept also offers an optimised internal design to reduce friction and reduce assembly time. For the 208 HYbrid FE the bearing is fitted with ceramic balls, similar to certain products intended for racing cars or aeronautics.

The NTN-SNR engineers also used their expertise in the choice and assembly of standard bearings equipping the gearbox, camshaft and high-pressure fuel pump. Lastly, NTN Transmissions Europe (NTE), a subsidiary of the NTN group, supplied two reduced-weight transmissions specially designed for the 208 HYbrid FE. NTN-SNR managed to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle by 6.6 kg which combined with reduced friction reduces emissions by as much as 2%.