CITROEN will unveil a mass-market version of a 'stop-and- start' system to reduce fuel consumption and emissions at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Fitted to the C3, the system will cut the engine when the car is stopped and idling, for example at red lights, for deliveries or in traffic jams, then instantly restarts it at the touch of the accelerator.

Developed by parent company PSA, the system will be linked to the SensoDrive automated manual gearbox and will be seen for the first time in September linked to a petrol engine. The system is expected to reduce fuel consumption by around 10% for urban driving and by 6% in the standard combined cycle and will be gradually offered on other Citroen and Peugeot models.

Trials conducted in urban areas have demonstrated that in typical customer use, cars are standing still 30% of the time. Citroen says that in addition to improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions, customers and urban dwellers will also benefit from the fact that the cars are completely quiet during the many periods when they are not moving.

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