· Citroen Divine DS latest concept car – sub-brand separate from Citroen
· New look for the DS range distinctive from all previous models
· Power & technology combined for an ultimate luxury drive
· Modern French elegance captured in automotive design brilliance
This week saw Citroen debut a series of concept cars that possess a realisable functionality that may very well see them available at Howards in the near future. The Divine DS looks to set itself apart from all luxury car competition and this is apparent through its stand out design. Currently in China the brands remain separate and with the lack of badge branding on this design it appears to be the planned approach in Europe too.
Citroen have pitched the car as having a unique and expressive personality and when it comes to the interior that recognisable. Featuring a contrast of shapes and lines, the cabin offers “hyper-typage”, a new concept of interchangeable dash designs and door scrolls that are changed in under 15 minutes. Three “dress codes” are available suiting the cars use that day, with the “Male” perfect for business and the “Parisienne Chic”/”Fetale-Punk” for more social occasions. This level of customisation really does mean the DS Divine, interior wise, is what you wish it to be.
Saying the Divine is luxurious is perhaps the biggest understatement of the century! Teaming up with leading couture brands, Citroen have successfully merged the two worlds of fashion and automotive design. Maison Lesage, France’s leading embroidery house, has personalised the “Parisienne Chic” hyper-typage to an upholstery level perhaps unequalled in automotive history. Swarovski have adorned the headlights, door panels and dashboard with crystals, adding a touch of sparkle.
Citroen have pitched the Divine DS as a “perfect alliance between technological excellence and avant-garde design” with subsequent technical features enhancing the in-drive experience. Slim-line headlights with laser-lights feature Swarovski, cutting through the night’s air with precision. Power exudes from all angles, with the diamond grille offset by a chrome surround that flows to the headlights and announces its arrival. The HD touch screen improves navigation through a complete digital experience, simple to use that reflects the uncluttered ambience yet oozing limitless power. Under the bonnet, a 270 bhp direct-injection petrol engine delivering 1.6THP places the Divine DS in the top tiers of high performance cars. Emitting just 145g/km of CO2, it also happens to be Euro 6 compliment. Citroen have truly created a car that is both Divine by name and nature.
Citroen C1 Urban Ride:
· Introducing the concept crossover
· Combining urban efficiency with chunky SUV styling
· Model illustrates the potential for personalisation
Building on the success of the very urban C1, Citroen have debuted the Urban Ride this week at the Paris Motor Show. Combining the compact city car with more aggressive and robust-set SUV styling, aesthetically it pushes the C1 into more durable waters. Leading with a larger bumper and contrast skid plates, the aesthetics are on focus with this concept car. Other tweaks to the original C1 include a retractable cloth roof and other body cladding. Considering the small amount of mechanical changes apparent, the Urban Ride is likely to be hitting showrooms in the near future.
Citroen C4 Cactus Airflow 2L:
· Unveiling the uber-efficient C4 Cactus Airflow 2L
· SUV features with greener performance
· Aerodynamic body kits & re-designed engine cut fuel costs by 30%
Introduced under the tagline “Simple to Love, Simple To Live, Simple To Share” the C4 Cactus Airflow offers pure and functional performance derived from a bold design. Keeping only the essentials, the Cactus Airflow wouldn’t be out of place in an Ikea showroom, with pure smooth surfaces and flowing lines providing a clean impression of complete functionality. The Airbumps and matt black wheel arches offer protection from scratches, defying conventional automotive design that seems to be the ethos of choice for this car. There is an expansive panoramic sunroof that allows light to flood into the interior, straddled either side with lacquered back roof arches that not only look good but help the Cactus carry more weight.
Inside the Cactus is designed for comfort, de-cluttered for ultimate comfort. The floating dashboard leaves the floor space completely free and sofa style seats in both the front and rear flashback to classic automotive seating. The simplicity of the model is reflected in the adopted technology, with an 8” Touch Drive digital interface keeping you in tune with what’s going on in and around the vehicle.
All the above design features aim to maximise efficiency and this is where the Cactus Airflow sets the bar higher than ever before. An optimised design increases aerodynamics by 20% with hybrid engine technology improving fuel consumption by 30%. Reducing the overall weight of the car by 11% also adds to the equation that ultimately equals a design masterpiece.