Tuesday 27th April 2010

Citroen Fleshes Out Its Asian Fantasy

Domestically-designed Metropolis concept unveiled at Chinese motor show

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Citroen has wheeled-out the spectacular Metropolis luxury saloon we previewed here last week, presumably to looks of slack-jawed amazement from a dazzled public at the Beijing motor show.

We weren't there, but these new official pics suggest the Metropolis could be a shoo-in for the PH editorial team's 'most magnificent barge of 2010' award, as it's a bit of a leviathan at 5.3m as well as looking rather glamorous. However, ever-increasing girth appears to be just what the rapidly-expanding Chinese domestic market wants, and the Metropolis delivers the goods courtesy of the PSA Group's in-house design studio based in Shanghai. (China is Citroen's second largest market, we also learned today.)

In spite of its dimensions, the Citroen concept boasts a hybrid powertrain offering up to 460bhp from an electrically-assisted 2.0 V6 engine, so its environmental credentials are clearly unimpeachable too. Well, we'll take their word on that.

Seriously, here in the PH office we're finding it quite hard to find things 'not to like' about the Metropolis concept, but we know the forums can be cruel...

[MogulBoy]

Citroen. If you’re going to the trouble of making an exuberant folly such as this with asymmetric wheels, at least make a handed set as the 'twisted look' on the driver's side (LHD) when the car is stationary makes it look as if the car is accelerating, in reverse!

[anonymous-user]

I'm gonna come straight out with it

I fking love the look of this thing

Will it be over here? In RHD?

[5tu Mac]

stunning car, looks a lot better than the s class, 7 series, A8, phaeton etc

[soad]

Would make a good used buy - once depreciation taken its toll.

[ArtVandelay]

soad said:

Would make a good used buy - once depreciation has taken its toll.

Just look at the C6, big Citroen's really do depreciate quickly. Wonder what the interior is like, with such length and designed for the Chinese market, does it have 7 seats?

[SDxsi]

Cargasm The face on that thing is gorgeous!!!






'Tis rather massive isn't it?
Either way, me like & me want!!!

[Moogle]

BMW Grand Coupe Concept meet Citroen Concept, Citroen Concept meet BMW Grand Coupe Concept, you'll have to wear name badges as some people might get confused....

[jbi]

looks awesome... and really rather un-french?

[anonymous-user]

Oh and a doff of the cap for the title, I had to check I was in GG before clicking

[daveparry]

Horrible bloody wheels though!

[dugt]

leys be honest, if they do make it, it wil be so diluted no one will be interested, and it will have citreons legendary reliability

concept looks good though.

[obscene]

Looks like what BMW should have designed in the first place. Love it, looks mean.

[ProfessorPeach]

Oh I say.

Delightful.

I would look superb driving that.

People would respect me.

[ZesPak]

I want this so much.

Maybe it can replace the Phaeton as the bargain of the century?

Imagine doing an import, and remove the badges.
No-one will know what it is, and all BMW 7 drivers will want one .

[dvance]

ZesPak said:

I want this so much.

Maybe it can replace the Phaeton as the bargain of the century?

Imagine doing an import, and remove the badges.
No-one will know what it is, and all BMW 7 drivers will want one .

Erm, how do you intend to de-badge that front grill?

Other than that it's one mean motor

[james_tigerwoods]

I like it.

I just hope it will look something like that.... Ze crazy French

[Gunton]

I like that very much well done Citroën!

“Hello is that BMW I have some very bad news for you”

All it needs now is a VTS badge

[Belfast Boy]

Stunning for a big'ol french rep mobile, I just hope it goes into production and doesn't have sloppy gear changes.

Nice on Citroen!!!

[designsubway]

Love this!
I am really liking the direction Citroen is going in.

[Curry Burns]

Moogle said:

BMW Grand Coupe Concept meet Citroen Concept, Citroen Concept meet BMW Grand Coupe Concept, you'll have to wear name badges as some people might get confused....

Yes they look exactly the same don't they....