Thursday 29th September 2016
Citroen - Paris 2016
Evocative CXperience concept hints at Citroen's dreams; new C3 represents the reality
Everyone loves a big Citroen. It's just a pity nobody buys them. Still, this is the Paris show and Citroen and the other French brands have to think big and put on a show in the name of local pride.
That name might be cheesier than a Parisian deli counter but for anyone with a love of big, stylish Citroens the CX initials are plenty evocative. And, sure enough, there are echoes of the wedge-shaped, low-slung original in the concept's lines, plus a subtle concaving to the rear window to please the true aficionados. Which is good, because for many the CX remains a benchmark of four-wheeled French cool. As such there's a vaguely fast-backed form and - being a concept - the obligatory rear-hinged doors to make it look suitably 'design study' on the stand and show off the interior. This is certainly bold, the press release explaining, "it is decorated in a citrus yellow shade, synonymous with a fresh, optimistic mindset".
This being a concept there is, of course, little of substance to say about the technical aspects of the car. Though Citroen does mention flaps in the grille that open and close according to aerodynamic/cooling requirements, "progressive hydraulic cushions" to help isolate occupants from the lumps and bumps of the outside world and 300hp from a combined petrol/electric plug-in hybrid powertrain. Around two thirds of this output comes from the internal combustion engine while on electric power alone it'll cover just shy of 40 miles to cover your zero emission city mooching requirements. Parisian cobbles and traffic would provide a suitable test of both this and the suspension - if it really can transform a lap of the Arc de Triomphe into a restful experience Citroen will have succeeded in its aim of creating, in its words, a "cocoon" under the trademarked Citroen Advanced Comfort umbrella of luxury tech.
Perhaps more accurately reflecting the kind of cars Citroen can actually sell in decent numbers Paris also sees the public launch of the new C3. Described as 'optimistic', 'human' and 'smart' the C3 wears slimmed down versions of the C4 Cactus's trademark 'Airbumps' on its flanks and, like the Cactus, trades on a colourful and dynamic image. No bad thing there, Citroen's return to quirkiness seemingly well received critically and with buyers. The three-cylinder PureTech petrol is available in three states of tune (the most potent a hardly fire breathing 110hp) while there are two options available with the BlueHDI diesel.
That does, of course, leave a yawning gap between the road cars and the C3 WRC 'concept' also announced recently, one we'll hope may one day be filled by a suitable hot hatch version. Or, given Citroen's failure to capitalise on Loeb's decade-long dominance of the sport with a road car worthy of his name, perhaps not.
