Monday 20th August 2007

Citroen C5 Airscape Concept Arrives

New concept stuffed with technology

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Sleek lines hide advanced tech

It’s motor show season again and that means one thing: Citroen are going to release some kind of odd concept.

The Citroen C5 Airscape is an interesting take on the ‘executive cabriolet’ genre, and comes packed with some very innovative (not to mention eco-friendly) technology.

To start the ball rolling, it has a carbon fibre roof – so you can have convertible styling without having to carry too much extra weight.  

Healthy fuel = less emissions

It also features a new ‘UrbanHybrid’ system that uses a reversible alternator-starter and super capacitors- apparently nothing like the ones in Back to the Future. All this allows, amongst other things, internal electrics like the CD player and air con to be powered by energy recouped by regenerative braking

The Airscape is fitted with a 208bhp 2.7 HDi V6 lump fitted with a particulate filter and tuned to run on biodiesel, aiding it’s planet saving credentials.

How can you say that isn't pretty?

Citroen are also trying to make it safe in low grip conditions and have come up with ‘Snow Motion’ technology to help stay glued to the road when things get a bit slippery.

As far is looks go it is quite pretty, and gives off very strong hints as to how the new C5 will look.

The concept itself is fitted with a brown leather interior and lashings of chrome – all to aid its desired ‘executive’ image as thats what todays executive wants, apparently.

It might not be a 3 Series Coupe, but it looks OK and being a Citroen it will probably be cheap too. But will it look anything like this we wonder?

[groomi]

Now even Citroen are building Audi clones.

Time to reach for the razor blades methinks...

[cirian75]

Gasp!

A Citroen I may actually want

[creamray]

It looks fantastic. I'd consider this as a purchase if they made the production version look like the concept. It's nice to see Citroen back with interesting cars.

[oagent]

It seems Citroen have borrowed yet another French innovation off their stablemates at Peugeot. With no roof and pillars in the way, you can stick your arms out easier to hold those pesky bits of exterior trim on when you go over speed bumps.
For me its the best looking Citroen since the SM, so a move in the right direction for a company that by all rights should have shut up shop when they sold the first XM. Shame about the massive front overhang though... FWD I presume

Edited by oagent on Monday 20th August 12:34

[bob1179]

That's one hell of a front overhang, how much 407 do you reckon is underneath?

[Strawman]

Is that a 5 seater? I can only see 4 headrests, a 5 seater convertible could sell to an untapped market

[turbochrisgti]

It's interesting how a company such as Citroen manges to produce such a gorgeous concept car, but would never consider making it how it looks here, or even how we want it! If this was a RWD Coupe with decent engine options (2 Petrols, one V6 diesel -please!) then surely people would take a second look? I'd rather have that than the 407 Coupe, which looks like a teenager with train track braces! Lovely looking car, but won't hold my breath for a production version anything like this! Shame!

[boolay]

PH said:

It might not be a 3 Series Coupe

No, you're right, it looks a damn sight better

Edited to say... Well done Citroen, you just need to make it like that concept now!

Edited by boolay on Monday 20th August 13:07

[PhantomPH]

cirian75 said:

Gasp!

A Citroen I may actually want

Trust me - I am as shocked as you, that I find myself thinking the same thing...

[wab172uk]

Amazing !!!!!! a good looking Citreon !

Still wouldn't have one though.

[E4UAN]

bob1179 said:

That's one hell of a front overhang, how much 407 do you reckon is underneath?

Yep, looks very 407 to me. Looks like it's going to fall on its face, and probably will with all the prototype electronics doing the driving for you.

[Agoogy]

The front overhang is garganutuan, but Citreon's have never been small in that respect...in their larger cars.

I'm praying they have the strength of their convictions to carry this through to reality... The C6 started it for me, and this would be icing.

Quite a lot of germanic influence going on there stylistically though... Audi, Mondeo...the wheels could've helped distant it a bit more I think. Also why have the Chevrons moved to dead centre on modern Citreons? shouldn't they be off to one side?

Same as other nice Citreons, give it 3 years, this will be a BARGAIN!

[oldboyracer]

carbon fibre roof, methinks that wont be cheap for the first purchase

[School boy]

Is it me, or does it look like a Ford from the side?
Mondeo wheels anyone?

[clonmult]

Looks absolutely stunning!

Heck, its not just the best looking Citroen in years, its probably one of the best looking convertibles around at the moment. I hope and pray that it looks like that in production.

And I'll echo the comment of it being typically citroen affordable 3 years after release.

[flattotheboards]

its nice they should build it just like that, stuffed with technology? how much of it will work after 3yrs abuse?

[poing]

Looks stunning but all the electrics will break and leave you stranded with the roof down in a sudden rain shower meaning you suddenly look a lot less cool....

[Gold]

If they just made it RWD then

[School boy]

Gold said:

If they just made it RWD then

A citroen doing a burn out? I think not...

[pumpkin]

Really, really ugly front. Nose is too fat and bonnet too high but I suppose that just fits in with modern un-aerodynamic styling where style wins over function and the stylist over the engineer.