Autoblog

The French automakers are known for their extreme concepts, and today's unveiling of the C-Métisse by Citroën is a great example of their reputation. This concept is a four door coupe design with a definite Grand Touring theme. The sporty C-Métisse is also a diesel hybrid, with electric motors powering the rear wheels, much of which has been demonstrated in the C4 HDi Hybrid.

The hybrid drivetrain, including the two 20 bhp electric motors, can run in a ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode for a range of 3 km at 30 kph, or around 1.8 miles and 18 miles per hour for those not on the metric system. The 208 bhp diesel V6 in the front of the vehicle is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The C-Métisse may not make it into production with its gull wing doors up front or the swing away doors in the rear, but certain design elements or technologies could find their way into a production vehicle. We think the C-Métisse would be a great basis for a four seat coupe to sit beside the C6 sedan. Even if that doesn't happen, the hybrid drivetrain may be integrated into the C6.

John Neff sent us some really nice live shots, as well as a collection of press photos and the press release. Check them out after the jump.

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The biennial Paris Motor Show brings out the best in the French automakers, whose displays are understandably massive, and whose concepts battle it out with each other to see who the star of the show really is. Peugeot has gotten the first shot in with its menacing 908 RC sedan, powered by the company's 750-hp Le Mans V12 diesel.

Today, Peugeot's corporate sister, Citroën, shows off her Paris concept: the smashing C-Métisse 4-door coupe. The car is drenched with style and has the presence of an exotic with its front gullwing and rear scissor doors. In front, the Citroën badge extends out to the large, styled vertical headlamps, which are themselves flanked by significant intakes. A trapezoidal opening sits in the lower part of the front fascia.

The long, sleek body houses an ultramodern passenger cabin, with seats covered in white leather and many of the car's key controls housed on the steering wheel. Citroën moved some controls -- including the starter button -- with the intention of creating an aircraft-like feel. The center console also continues the modern design theme. It is a source of ambient lighting and also houses the screens that let the driver to monitor the car's hybrid drivetrain.

The Hybride HDi system consists of a 208-horsepower diesel V6 driving the front wheels, and a pair of electric motors -- each putting out 20 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque powering the rear. In urban environments, the car can operate in zero-emissions mode, running on the electric motors only at speeds up to 30 km/h. In addition to that, the car switches between 2-wheel-drive and 4-wheel-drive automatically depending on traction conditions.

Citroën says that the hybrid powertrain train helps the car achieve a fuel economy rating of an impressive 36.1 miles per gallon in the combined cycle. No slowpoke either, the C-Métisse also makes the run to 100km/h (62 mph) in 6.5 seconds.

If the future of motoring looks something like the C-Métisse, we welcome it with open arms. Complete details, full technical specifications, and a photo gallery can be found after the jump.

[Source: Citroën]