Citroen SA103:
Not wanting to be outdone by Renault, Peugeot and Citroen began the ECO 2000 program. The 1981 Citroen SA103 was able to obtain 65 mpg, thanks to a 0.27 drag coefficient, 948 lb curb weight, and a rear-mounted 700cc 2-cylinder gasoline engine[1].
Citroen SA117:
The 1983 Citroen SA117 showed a remarkable improvement over its predecessor due to a drag coefficient of 0.21, front mounted engine with a front wheel drive configuration, and a curb weight of only 932 lbs; these improvements resulted in a fuel economy of 79 mpg[1]. The SL117 used the same engine as the SA103[1].
Citroen SA109:
The 1982 Citroen SA109 used an upgraded engine to 750cc 3-cylinder gasoline engine[1]. The car weighed in at 1,058 lbs and had a drag coefficient of 0.321, giving a fuel economy of 67 mpg[1].
Citroen SL110:
The 1984 Citroen SL110 was the first of the ECO 2000 vehicles revealed to the public[1]. It made use of the SA109's 35 horsepower engine, which allowed a top speed of 88 mph[2]. The fuel economy was 76 mpg combined, and 112 mpg at a steady 55 mph[2]. This was achievable due to a low drag coefficient of 0.22 and 992 lb curb weight[2].
Peugeot also revealed its ECO 2000 concept car. With a drag coefficient of 0.21, 990 lb curb weight, and a 28 horsepower 2-cylinder gasoline engine, the Peugeot ECO 2000 returned 70 mpg city and 77 mpg highway[3].
Peugeot VERA:
Peugeot VERA+:
An effort by Peugeot from 1982 were its VERA and VERA+ concept cars. Unlike the ECO 2000, these cars used 50 horsepower turbo diesel engines[3]. The VERA+ had a 0.22 drag coefficient, 1,740 lbs curb weight, and achieved 55 mpg city, 87 mpg highway[3]. The VERA+ also had performance comparable to the commercially available cars of its time, with 0-60 mph acceleration in 13.2 seconds and a top speed of 100 mph[4].
References:
[1] Histomobile. (2004, October 15). Citroen Eco 2000 concept. Retrieved June 27, 2007 from
http://www.histomobile.com/1/Citroen...2000.htm?lan=1
[2] Generation Futures. (2006, March 26). Mon avis d'utilisateur sur la Citroën AX 14 TRD, ainsi que son coût kilométrique réel. Retrieved June 27, 2007 from
50 000 km avec une Citro?n Ax diesel, mon avis d'utilisateur ainsi que son co?t kilom?trique r?el.
[3] Bleviss, D. (1988). The New Oil Crisis and Fuel Economy Technologies. New York: Quorum Books
[4] Audi Sport Collection. (2007, June 29). Magazine : L'Audi 2000 face à ses rivales. Retrieved June 29, 2007 from
http://www.audisportcollection.com/ASC2006/392.php