Even as the PSA Group is yet to finalise on its market positioning and the model/s to start its India innings, it may be fair to surmise that an SUV and/or a compact car model would be part of the portfolio if PSA were to play in the mainstream passenger vehicle market in India.
Apart from the fact that both are big and growing segments in India, the availability of powertrains for application in these segments could make the job relatively easy for the French car major.
Many may not be aware that the C K Birla Group company, Avtec, already makes engines for PSA Powertrain, a division of Groupe PSA. The association between the two began in 2011.
At Auto Expo 2016, Avtec had showcased two Euro 6-compliant engines which could very well power some of PSA's cars in India. One of the engines is a four-cylinder 1,997cc diesel with a power output of 176.4hp and 400Nm of torque. This engine is designed for use in SUVs and LCVs where demand for torque is more than cars.
The second engine is a 1,200cc, three-cylinder Euro 6 petrol turbocharged engine. The engine is “renowned in its class for fuel efficiency” and can deliver 129.7hp at 5,500rpm and 230Nm of torque at 1,750rpm. Good for a B-segment car.
In an interview with our sister publication, Autocar Professional, at Auto Expo 2016, Prabhakar Kadappa, MD and CEO, Avtec, had said, “As India wants to move to BS VI emission norms, we will be able to offer these products here or any other market which requires this technology.”