Citroen’s £5k budget baby on way the C-Cactus
Meet the cut-price Citroen that’s out to save the planet! The French manufacturer is fighting the influx of cheap superminis from Korea and China with a hi-tech but affordable production version of the C-Cactus. And our exclusive images show just how bosses are planning to turn concept into reality.
The C-Cactus study, first seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2007, took a new and refreshingly uncomplicated angle on car design. With its recyclable and lightweight plastic panels, diesel-electric hybrid powertrain and stripped-out interior, it weighed in at a paltry 900kg. As a result, it proved a modern car can be stylish and spacious without having a bloated kerbweight.
And that’s exactly what the production version pictured here will set out to achieve. The design has evolved into a more subtle statement, but retains the rounded bonnet and five-door hatchback body from the show car. The newcomer is expected to be similar in size to the Citroen C2, with clever packaging comfortably allowing space for four adults.
Up front, the twin-bar chevron grille is unmistakable, although in every other respect the styling moves the maker’s design language a step forward into the future. Two huge air intakes sit below Nissan 370Z-style boomerang lights, while prominent creases run along the sides of the car to the clean, uncluttered rear.
Taking the C-Cactus concept as a guide, the interior will represent a radical departure for Citroen. To create additional space and keep the kerbweight as low as possible, the entire dashboard structure could be ditched, with only a slim, floating centre console for the stereo and ventilation controls.
Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/242971/citroens_5k_budget_baby_on_way.html#ixzz0TMgDnoan
The C-Cactus study, first seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2007, took a new and refreshingly uncomplicated angle on car design. With its recyclable and lightweight plastic panels, diesel-electric hybrid powertrain and stripped-out interior, it weighed in at a paltry 900kg. As a result, it proved a modern car can be stylish and spacious without having a bloated kerbweight.
And that’s exactly what the production version pictured here will set out to achieve. The design has evolved into a more subtle statement, but retains the rounded bonnet and five-door hatchback body from the show car. The newcomer is expected to be similar in size to the Citroen C2, with clever packaging comfortably allowing space for four adults.
Up front, the twin-bar chevron grille is unmistakable, although in every other respect the styling moves the maker’s design language a step forward into the future. Two huge air intakes sit below Nissan 370Z-style boomerang lights, while prominent creases run along the sides of the car to the clean, uncluttered rear.
Taking the C-Cactus concept as a guide, the interior will represent a radical departure for Citroen. To create additional space and keep the kerbweight as low as possible, the entire dashboard structure could be ditched, with only a slim, floating centre console for the stereo and ventilation controls.
Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/242971/citroens_5k_budget_baby_on_way.html#ixzz0TMgDnoan
