Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Citroen
Frankfurt 2007: Citroën C-Cactus Concept live, unfortunately

Click the image above for more high-res pics of the Citroën C-Cactus Concept.
We doubt even a mother could love the face of the Citroën C-Cactus Concept, but that's not the point. Like many of the automakers filling up the Messe in Frankfurt, Citroën is trying to set its focus on greener offerings. The C-Cactus concept does its best to conserve resources by employing a hybrid HDi diesel-electric powertrain, which should allow this misshapen hunk of design detritus to get over 70 MPG.
If you're so inclined, there are plenty more details in our previous post and the gallery below proves that just because something is ecological and economical, it's not always going to be pretty.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chaz 3:08PM (9/12/2007)
I disagree with Autoblog on this one, I think it's a fascinating design, certainly progressive, evocative of revolutionary past efforts by the French. An avant-garde AX for our time then, I like it a lot, 8/10
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Carlos 9:01PM (9/12/2007)
I have to agree - everyone should take a good look at all the frickin detail that went into this concept. I have a whole new level of respect for Citroen after seeing this concept.
the whole idea of a concept is to push the envelope with new original designs - doesn't mean everything you see there will make it to a production model.
SPG 3:19PM (9/12/2007)
Every car company (but Dodge and Pontiac I suppose) seems to be trying to out cute eachother.
I'd like to see a new wave of slutty looking cars.
That's right, slutty looking cars.
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Chaz 4:05PM (9/12/2007)
Neon and Firefly were respective cute attempts, but Pontiac went in a more aggressive direction (thankfully with more subtlety of late) and Dodge has a "let's make it atrociously bad" motivation (Caliber). That said they can combine and make things like the ugly slut Jeep Compass.
Sirploppy 4:27PM (9/12/2007)
Just awful. Although I applaud their other stying risks with the DS, 2CV, and even the new C6.
This is reminiscent of the Porsche "Fat Car".
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/11/29/fat-red-carrera/
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Cortez 7:43PM (9/12/2007)
You think that a Citroen C6 is ugly but you know what that the C6 got the price for the best design in EU
djcunnin 4:42PM (9/12/2007)
I dunno, there's something about it that I actually like. It kinda looks like a buffed up Mini or something. I don't think I'd actually buy one. It looks better than a Honda Element.
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Rick 6:33PM (9/12/2007)
I don't really understand the Frankfurt bashing that I've read during the show. It's like a negative slam on nearly every non mainstream car. This is a concept, and as coincepts go, this isn't as ugly as being claimed. It's not half bad to look at and not worthy the knocks.
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me 8:11PM (9/12/2007)
I think it looks great. Anything but another boring econobox.
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Mitsufan 8:52PM (9/12/2007)
I think it's great, but then again I like the old Fiat Multipla.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/gl/gallery/gallery/18/4
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pspimp 9:52PM (9/12/2007)
I LOVE IT!
I WANT ONE!!
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Calebe 9:25AM (9/13/2007)
For a concept it is very different. I wouldn't call it ugly, just odd. It kind looks like a wolf spider. When i first saw it the reaction was shock. It has grown on me since then.
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Merkidemis 10:46PM (9/13/2007)
Gah, how about letting us form our own styling opinions?
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iluvmyoldmerc 6:29PM (1/25/2008)
Different strokes for different folks, I love the look of it.
As mentioned elsewhere I think it looks like a Mini Cayenne.
Even more I love the concept, making a car that's cheap to run at the same price as a regular car.
I calculated that if my wife bought a Toyota Prius instead of her Honda Jazz, she would have to drive it over 1,000,000 kilometres to make enough saving on fuel costs to compensate for the price difference between the Prius and the Jazz.
I'll be trading in my old Merc for a Cactus as soon as they hit the showrooms!
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