World Cars Motor Show

It certainly isn??™t sexy or cool-looking, but it??™s awfully popular. According to Citro?«n, nearly 1.8 million copies of the previous-generation Berlingo have been sold since its arrival in 1996. Like the original, the new Berlingo is available as a small commercial vehicle or in the passenger-friendly format that is being shown for the first time here in Geneva.

The new Berlingo uses the running gear from the larger and more refined C4 Picasso minivan. This should translate to the Berlingo??™s having more carlike ride-and-handling characteristics. However, a final judgment will have to wait until we slide behind the wheel.

When that day comes, you can bet we??™ll be headed to Ikea or any other place where we can buy a whole lot of, well, anything. The Berlingo??™s interior has an amazing amount of storage space and oddly shaped little nooks and crannies for all the detritus of modern life.

So we know it??™s practical (if not too pretty), but we had no idea the Berlingo was also earth-friendly. When equipped with the 110-hp HDi diesel engine fitted with a particulate filter, the Berlingo carries the ???Airdream??? environmental signature that Citro?«n gives to its ???greenest models.???

Citro?«n says that Berlingo development has focused on blending sedanlike levels of comfort and quietness with the practicality of an MPV. A liftgate with an opening window, three independent removable seats in the second row, a redesigned Modutop (a nifty little series of five sunroofs), and an overhead storage rack lend weight to the MPV comparison??”and actual weight, too.

The Berlingo offers hill start assist (i.e., no embarrassing rolling backward when the light turns green and you let out the clutch and start to accelerate), a steering wheel that adjusts for reach and rake, and stability control.

On sale in the second half of 2008, the new Berlingo won??™t be alone in the market. Strangely, the old model is sticking around and will be called the Berlingo First in some countries.

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Citro?«n created the Airscape concept car, a slick four-door convertible, to preview the look of the next-generation C5 family sedan. Although that seems a strange tactic, there??™s no doubt the Airscape is still one handsome automobile.

The front end is much more bulky than that of recent Citro?«ns??“such as the C4 and luxury-oriented C6 sedan. A large grille, deep air intakes, and a curvaceous hood give the Airscape a bolder, sportier style. The large folding soft top has an integrated sunroof. It??™s a distinctive feature, and the effort and the likely high level of investment suggest plans for serial production.

The C5 Airscape is powered by a direct-injection 2.7-liter V-6 diesel engine, with 208 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque. Environmental issues aren??™t forgotten, as the Airscape features Citro?«n??™s UrbanHybrid system. This employs regenerative energy to power the air-conditioning and stereo systems.

Citro?«n says the Airscape??™s advanced traction control-system provides four-wheel-drive-like handling without the extra weight of such a system.

The steering wheel uses Citro?«n??™s unique fixed hub, and there is plenty of chrome sprinkled throughout the cabin. Dark brown leather upholstery gives the interior a luxurious and elegant feel, but the top-drawer aesthetics likely will be toned down in production versions.

For now, Citro?«n will say only that the next C5 will be a four-door sedan (as opposed to the previous five-door hatchback) when it arrives next spring. A station wagon appears later in the summer. Citro?«n won??™t confirm future versions of the C5 theme. Yet if public reaction to the Airscape is positive, we??™d hedge a bet that a C5 convertible and/or coupe could appear within a year of the sedan??™s debut.

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The six-wheeled Cruise Crosser is a design study by the Espero Sbarro School (no relation to the pizza chain) that pays homage to Citro?«n??™s desert-crossing history in the 1920s and? ??™30s. Based on the Citro?«n C-Crosser, which itself is a thinly disguised Mitsubishi Outlander, the Cruise Crosser features a diesel hybrid powertrain of undisclosed size and output. The electric motor is located under the cargo bed and powers the rearmost axle for added acceleration or electric-only operation.

The large rear bed holds a removable row of seats, as well as its regular cargo hold, and there??™s also a detachable fabric top to provide some protection from the elements in the bed. The interior features leather seats, a navigation system, and a DVD player.

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Citroen’s quirk styling continues on with the C-Cactus Concept, destined for debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The C-Cactus Concept is described as an “ecological hatchback with cheerful, attractive styling, equipped with a hybrid HDi drivetrain and sold at the same price as an entry-level C4.” Citroen may have got the part on the design wrong. The C-Cactus will not enter production, but will be the precursor to many designs in the coming years. We’re not thrilled.

The concept features a hybrid HDi drivetrain that achieves 69MPG and CO2 emissions of only 78g/km. The engine is composed of a 70hp diesel powertrain and a 30hp electric motor. Continue reading to view an official press release and a hi-res image gallery.

Citro?«n is unveiling C-Cactus at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. This ingenious concept is a new take on vehicle design, centered on essential values. The Marque??™s ambitious aim is to market an ecological hatchback with cheerful, attractive styling, equipped with a hybrid HDi drivetrain and sold at the same price as an entry-level C4.

To square this complex equation, Citro?«n is exploring new forms of design. It has decided to abandon features that are not essential to comfort and to focus instead on technology, styling and equipment that are positive, ecological and valued by users.
Essential, intelligent and ecologically aware

C-Cactus is an ecological car. It includes a significant proportion of recycled or recyclable materials and, like the plant it is named after, it is low on consumption. Weighing just 1,306 kg and featuring a hybrid HDi drivetrain, C-Cactus consumes 3.4 l/100 km for CO2 emissions of 78 g/km.

At the same time, C-Cactus is no more expensive than a mid-range family car. Its low production cost can be attributed to the use of new materials and to a rational design process using a smaller number of parts. The cabin is made up of just over 200 parts, i.e. almost half the number used by a conventional hatchback of identical size.

An attractive and modern vehicle

C-Cactus is an essential car, with sharp styling and attractive features. Its curves give it a fun look and strong appeal, while the angles and rounded lines of the bodywork underline its dynamic character.

C-Cactus sets high standards of onboard comfort with a roomy interior that is worthy of a family car. It is 4.2 metres long and 1.8 metres wide with a wide range of equipment including air conditioning with automatic temperature control, a high-quality audio system, a panoramic glass sunroof, cruise control and a speed limiter.

The economic and ingenious solutions adopted for C-Cactus keep production costs down and make it possible to fit a diesel hybrid drivetrain, all for the price of an entry-level C4. To achieve this result, C-Cactus places the emphasis on equipment that is essential to passenger comfort. At the same time, it explores new design processes in order to show that economy and ecology need not be synonymous with a rough ride.

New avenues in design

C-Cactus is the result of an intelligent design process pursuing new objectives. By exploring new forms of expression and new technical solutions, Citro?«n??™s engineers cut the number of parts required to build the car.

To achieve this objective, the engineers:

- simplified a number of parts and mechanisms to the extreme,
- grouped several functions in a single part,
- removed all parts that are non-essential to the running of the car or to the comfort and well-being of its occupants.

The dashboard has gone, and its usual functions are now grouped on the central console and the fixed hub of the steering wheel. The central console thus includes the active loudspeakers, gearbox controls and tactile screen giving access to the onboard computer, navigation system and air conditioning controls. The controls for the indicators, lights, wipers, horn and cruise control/speed limiter are on the fixed hub of the steering wheel, as are the tachometer and lights for the indicators, headlamps and warning signals.

Another example of simplification: the part used for the front bumper, which includes the headlamps and chevrons is the same as the part making up the lower part of the tailgate at the rear. This contributes to the assertive design of C-Cactus while bringing economies of scale in production.

This simplicity is also reflected in the design of the front end, which comprises just two parts: a fixed bonnet comprising the front wings, and a flap giving access to the vehicle maintenance functions (oil, windscreen washer, etc.).

Reflecting a similar approach, using the air conditioning makes it virtually unnecessary to open the windows. A simple sliding mechanism is therefore provided, since this is sufficient in normal use. Engineers were thus able to get rid of both the window frames and the opening mechanism.

At the same time, a number of monoblock units are used for C-Cactus to reduce the overall number of parts. The door panels, for example, are made of two parts, compared with twelve in a conventional hatchback. The seats also comprise two parts: a highly comfortable, moulded, coloured, integral-skin foam part for the seat, and a solid monoblock frame to hold the foam in place and fix the seat to the floor rails. The ergonomics are excellent and - here again - the number of components is limited.

Looking for simplicity: intelligent, fun exterior design

C-Cactus has a unique personality: appealing, modern and offbeat, with its simple shapes and mix of round, curving lines. The original styling also reflects ingenious design choices. Throughout the design process, the focus was very much on simplicity. This led to the development of ingenious solutions that contribute to the attractive offbeat design of C-Cactus.

At the front, the headlamps of C-Cactus give the vehicle an appealing air with their rounded and slightly angular forms. They are underlined by two cylindrical air intakes cut out of the bumper, above an air intake grille of modern design which, while contributing to the vehicle??™s rounded forms, also adds a muscular energetic touch. The raised bonnet and two air intakes also contribute to the dynamic looks of C Cactus.

The vehicle??™s rounded forms are reflected in its profile. The dynamic design lines are accentuated by the forward flowing roof line and the asymmetric doors made of crude steel that has been treated for corrosion.

The doors feature an original cut-out since the fixed windows remove a number of the constraints that usually apply to design. Shaped to provide easy access to the interior, they give C-Cactus a curving, sleekly muscled appearance. The use of crude steel treated for corrosion, but without paint or varnish, contributes to savings in production costs while giving a strong, contemporary look.

The high waistline and 21-inch wheels also underline the strong character of C Cactus.

The wheels were the focus of particular attention. Large-diameter wheels and low-profile tyres have become key styling features in vehicles of strong, contemporary design.

Citro?«n worked with Michelin on the development of low-profile tyres with a large diameter and limited width. The low ground friction area limits fuel consumption and, at the same time, tyre production costs are kept under control since the manufacturing process requires only a small amount of rubber.

For new and even more original styling, these specially designed tyres feature a green pattern on a white background printed inside a wide groove spanning the entire tread.

The same styling codes can be seen at the rear, where a combination of curves and taut lines illustrate the car??™s dynamic and appealing personality. The chevrons identify this car as a Citro?«n. The name ???Cactus??? appears in relief on the bottom of the tailgate, in a young, smooth, modern printface.

The rear lights, which resemble the headlamps in shape, boast an innovative feature: cut-outs in the interior plastic that let the driver see through. This innovation considerably increases the driver??™s field of vision and may be particularly useful in manoeuvres, for example.

Fewer features for greater impact: a welcoming, attractive and cleverly designed interior

C-Cactus is also an original and ingenious car on the inside. The design cut-outs, choice of materials, patterns and colours give the cabin a minimalist, attractive and airy look.

The cabin materials reflect innovative choices. Their quality is immediately visible. Looking beyond their appearance, they are also economical and ecological. For example, cork is used for many decorative parts, as well as for the air vents and air conditioning panel. The floor features a pattern in recycled leather. The white lacquer finish of some parts and the visual effects created by the materials used contribute to the original design and perceived quality of the cabin.

Another key idea was to enhance the offbeat styling of C-Cactus by reducing the number of parts and the quantity of materials used for the decor.

Non-essential parts, such as the dashboard, are absent, while some of the parts that are usually hidden have been included in the decor. This is the case, for example, of the steering column, air conditioning ducts and the grid for fore-and-aft adjustment of the front seats. These features add a modern and original touch to the cabin. The refill for the scented air freshener is also visible. It contributes to the attractive appearance of the cabin, while enabling the driver to see how much is left.

The decor has not been put in. It has been created by removing material. This idea of decorating ???in a vacuum??? is reflected in the patterns present on the door panels and seat frames. The patterns cut-out in the door panels show the apple green felt inserted between panel and metal. The main role of this part is to soundproof the vehicle, but its colour and cut-outs make it an integral part of the d?©cor.

The same flower, plant and butterfly patterns - symbolising the environment, purity and well-being - are also found on several other cabin features. They are cut out, for example, in the white lacquer seat frame. These cut-outs show the coloured foam used for the seat cushions and give it a decorative quality.
Pertinent choices for an easy and enjoyable ride

C-Cactus boasts advanced equipment, optimised on-board space and modular design at an affordable price. Passengers have all the comfort essential to their well-being.

First, the ignition key of C-Cactus is a portable MP3 player with a touch screen. When it is plugged into the fixed hub of the steering wheel, it is recognised by the vehicle which can then be started.

The fixed-hub steering wheel includes a wide variety of functions. In addition to the usual controls, it also includes the speedometer, which is of an unusual design. The figures, placed in relief around the hub, rotate according to speed and are positioned with respect to a fixed point.

A second touch screen on the central console includes a navigation system to guide the driver on the road. It also serves as an onboard computer. This equipment endows C-Cactus with high-tech advanced features while also keeping costs down, since functions are grouped together.

The central console features two powerful high-quality active loudspeakers that provide C-Cactus with an excellent sound system. Their ingenious layout limits both wiring and installation costs.

Generous interior space ensures passenger comfort. C-Cactus boasts the dimensions of a family car (4.2 metres long and 1.8 metres wide) with a generous and modular boot (between 500 and 1,100 litres).

The rear seat, placed on a rail, slides up against the front seats. The floor pan, which is integral with the rear bench, also slides forward to reveal a subfloor. This reveals a virtually flat surface area to load bulky objects.

Another ingenious feature is a clip-on bag on the passenger side. This replaces the glovebox and can be used to carry objects outside the car.

For comfort and styling, C-Cactus features a panoramic glass sunroof that lets the light flood into the cabin.

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At the Geneva auto show, Citro?«n is pulling the wraps off its new C-Crosser SUV. At the same time, Peugeot is showing off its new 4007 SUV. The two vehicles look remarkably similar, and both share an uncanny resemblance to the 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander, but only because that??™s what they are. Peugeot-Citro?«n has partnered with Mitsubishi to offer variations of the Outlander SUV under the French banners.

From the A-pillar back, the three SUVs are identical, but each vehicle gets a unique face that meshes with its corporate parent??™s design philosophy. For the C-Crosser, that means a busy beak featuring a pair of chevrons stacked front and center with chrome wings spreading across the hood and grille to the headlamps. Down below, an expansive air intake gulps precious cooling air into the engine bay.

Out back, the C-Crosser carries over the Outlander??™s rear hatch right down to the convenient flip-down center section in the bumper that aids in loading cargo. The only difference between the Mitsu and the Citro?«n is the taillights. Of course, each model gets its own wheels, and in this regard the Citro?«n can??™t be touched. Its cool torqued-vee-spoke 18-inch wheels are one of the most unique five-spoke designs on the market right now. The look may be foreign to Americans, but to economy-minded Europeans, the most shocking thing about this Citro?«n will be its height.

Hiding beneath those chevrons on the hood is an HDi DPFS, or, in English, a turbo-diesel engine. Displacing 2.2 liters, the inline-four is good for 154 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, which Citro?«n estimates will allow the 3850-pound C-Crosser to amble to 60 mph in 9.9 seconds and continue to amble up to 124 mph, when the governor steps in. Power is routed through an Aisin six-speed manual transmission to a standard part-time all-wheel-drive system (base Outlanders are front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional). The system can be locked in either front- or four-wheel drive, or left to make its own decisions about distribution of power in all-wheel-drive mode.

Inside is the same attractive mix of satin silver and black plastics found in the Mitsubishi and Peugeot. A piece of tape over the logo on the steering wheel will leave drivers guessing which of the three SUVs they are in. There??™s room for a quartet of six-footers in the front two rows of seats, but those in the third row will curse the jump seats they??™ve been crammed into, even if the second row is at the foremost of its three inches of fore-and-aft adjustability. The third row is best left folded into the floor to make space for cargo. If more room is needed for stuff, the second row also folds flat at the touch of a button, positioned at either side-door opening.

All the optional goodies from the Outlander will be available in the C-Crosser as well, such as the six-CD changer, the touch-screen navigation system, a DVD entertainment system with a flip-down nine-inch screen, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Rockford Fosgate audio system with a big ol??™ subwoofer eating up a bunch of cargo space.

Back in 2002, this is how the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, and Oldsmobile Bravada were launched??”nearly identical vehicles with little more than front sheetmetal to differentiate them. Later, clones spread to Isuzu, Buick, and even Saab.

Today, the glut is gone. The TrailBlazer and the Envoy still sell well, and Chevy still has the 395-hp TrailBlazer SS, but Oldsmobile is dead and Isuzu might as well be. And the Saab and the Buick never found too many buyers. One of the few GM nameplates that didn??™t get a vehicle based on this architecture, Hummer, supports an? outdoor program called Tread Lightly! Sounds like good advice for Peugeot-Citro?«n.

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