Citroen plans to make car based on the C-Cactus
Click above for more images of the Citroen C-Cactus concept
It may look more than a bit, um, quirky, but so did the iconic 2CV that the C-Cactus concept was meant to embody. Built to do more with less -- materials that is -- the Citroen C-Cactus concept that was shown last year at the Geneva Motor Show used innovative construction techniques to cut the number of components required to manufacture it in half and is what Citroen calls an essentialist vehicle. A production version would attempt to follow that same pattern and could be powered by a version of the French automaker's new HYmotion2 hybrid system, consisting of a 1.0-liter diesel coupled to an electric motor. The powertrain could return over 100 miles per gallon according to the automaker. Another possibility would be to go full electric with the goal of achieving a 100 mile range and a 70 mile per hour top speed. Just how much of the concept's radical look would be carried over remains to be seen, though being Citroen, we're sure it would be suitably radical no matter what.
Gallery: Citroen C-Cactus Concept
[Source: Citroen, AutoblogGreen]
PRESS RELEASE:
CITROËN PLUGS IN TO A GREENER FUTURE
Citroën has embarked on a new project to look into the feasibility of producing an ultra-environmentally friendly vehicle based on the critically acclaimed C-Cactus concept car.
The C-Cactus represents a new approach to eco-friendly design. The radical, essentialist vehicle, with its emphasis on environmental technology, features a simplified design throughout, significantly reducing the number of components and leading to a reduction in weight, cost and the impact on the environment.
Removing features that are non-essential to the running of the car or the comfort and safety of the occupants – even doing away with the dashboard – has resulted in an interior comprising around half the parts of a similarly-sized conventional car. The door panels are made of just two parts, compared to twelve in a conventional car and many components are made from recycled materials.
The project will consider a range of powerplants including a 1.0 litre, sub 100g/km CO2 , petrol; a HYmotion2 diesel–electric hybrid returning near 100mpg fuel economy and CO2 emissions of just 78g/km or a 100% electric model, similar to the version which is on display at the Paris motor show and which offers zero emissions together with a top speed and range of almost 70mph and 100 miles respectively.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BluePariah 8:35AM (10/10/2008)
Wow, VW Up! much? They even ripped off the Huf' wheels from the GTI/GLI.
That being said, the weight reduction and minimalization philosophy that they adopted here is interesting. I wonder what it weighs...
Oh, and someone kill the guy that came up with the concept name. I mean, I get the reference, but not exactly a great image of simplicity. Maybe it sounded better in French...
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LCN 8:55AM (10/10/2008)
This was unveiled months before the Up!, so if anyone was copying it would be the other way around.
BluePariah 9:05AM (10/10/2008)
I stand corrected!
But Cactus is still a dumb name ;)
geo.stewart 10:26AM (10/10/2008)
I was thinking Citroen Mini crossover but yeah I can see up! as well
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the vegas style guy 11:15AM (10/10/2008)
I don't see what's so radical about the styling. It pays homage to the Deux Chevaux but is totally modern. I think it would do fine as is (of course I've never understood those glass roofs. I live in Vegas, in August that would be a killer no matter how you treat the glass.).
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Mi key 6:05PM (10/10/2008)
Seems Cool. To Bad will never see on US shores.
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Kevin Trumbull 3:00PM (10/13/2008)
Any idea how hard it would be to get something like this shipped to the US?
I'm pretty sure that as a private citizen I could get something like this through emissions here. Arizona's emissions tests are pretty easy to pass.
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