Two of the most important...
Two of the most important new cars ever are about to ò€˜bubbleò€™ to the surface ò€“ and in a world exclusive head-to-head, Auto Express has brought them together for the first time!
As well as offering...
As well as offering a sensational first look at the car, these shots confirm the accuracy of our own scoop pictures of the all-new people carrier, first published in issue 818.
Christened the C-SportLounge by the French firm, and making its debut at next month"s Frankfurt Motor Show, the car is officially described as a coup탩. Yet the pictures clearly prove the vehicle has four doors, with those at the back hinged at the rear, as on the Mazda RX-8.
This new look represents the latest evolution of Citroen"s design philosophy, and makes the C-SportLounge one of the most daring cars the manufacturer has ever produced. The teardrop profile, chunky alloy wheels and chrome detailing combine to create a radical - and very sporty - look.
The headlamps are more angular than those of the C4, with which it shares a platform, ensuring that the
C-SportLounge has a unique identity, while the windscreen extends over the roof for greater visibility. There"s no picture of the interior yet, but engineers promise the production car will have a versatile cabin, complete with seating for five. However, the concept features only four seats and a generous boot.
The driving position, meanwhile, has been created to give the feel of being in an aeroplane cockpit. The driver"s seat and centre console are joined to improve ergonomics, placing the automatic gearbox and other instruments as close together as possible, regardless of seat adjustment.
Tipped to go on sale next year with a range of petrol and diesel engines, the new line-up will be topped by a high-performance 2.0-litre turbo delivering 180bhp. A frugal 136bhp 2.0 HDi oil-burner is also being developed, and that"s expected to be the best-seller.
Safety features will include Citroen"s lane departure warning system, which vibrates the driver"s seat if the vehicle crosses any white lines on the road. Prices are due to be at least í‚á£1,500 more than on the current Picasso. But with Citroen"s aggressive sales strategy and appetite for discounting, the newcomer should offer great value.