Citroen C-Cactus

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 1,109 kg and featuring a hybrid HDi drivetrain, C-Cactus consumes 2.9 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, Citroën'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.

Advanced ecological features

To achieve real environmental impact, Citroën's objective has always been to market technologies and vehicles that are affordable to the greatest number. The objective with C-Cactus is to go one step further, by bringing out a car whose hybrid HDi drivetrain makes it truly ecological car, but that can be sold at the same price as an entry-level family car.

With its diesel hybrid drivetrain combining a 70 bhp DIN HDi diesel engine with a particulate filter and an electric motor providing additional power of 30 bhp DIN, C-Cactus consumes just 2.9 l/100 km with CO2 emission levels of 78 g/km over a combined cycle. In urban use, ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode provides silent, all-electric operation. On journeys involving successive acceleration and deceleration, the hybrid system limits fuel consumption by using both types of energy.

Other points also help to make C-Cactus a car that respects the environment.

The solutions adopted for the design of C-Cactus also contribute to bringing down fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Using fewer parts makes the vehicle 15% lighter than a C4 Hybride HDi for a total weight of 1,109 kg.
The tyre width has also been kept down (205/45 R21) on C-Cactus, which adds to environmental performance.

Fewer parts also means smaller quantities of raw materials. In additon, a significant part of the materials used are recycled or recyclable. The windscreen and windows, for example, are made of recyclable glass. The tyres are also recyclable, as is the crude steel used for the door panels. This metal is unpainted and unvarnished but has been treated for corrosion.
The protective mats are made of recycled leather, taken from leather cut-offs that cannot be used by conventional tanneries. Many parts are made of cork, a natural material made from the bark of oak trees. The felt used for the door panels and fascia stowage compartments is made from wool. This material uses no chemical additives and is both recyclable and biodegradable.

The top speed of C-Cactus has deliberately been capped at 150 kph. This choice not only contributes to the car's good environmental performance, it also reflects Citroën's efforts to develop a green vehicle illustrating a new approach to the car, in which the motorist is in harmony with his/her surrounding environment.

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Citroen C-Airdream

With C-Airdream, a 2+2 coupé concept car, Citroën continues to explore the language of styling. Flowing lines, clean contours, sophisticated materials and plays of light take passengers on a journey through the senses.

A harmony of slender proportions and fluid lines with an underlying promise of power, C-Airdream expresses Citroën’s vision of sporting coupé design.

The contemporary edge of Citroën’s design values can also be seen in the interior of C-Airdream. Sculptured lines, contrasting colours, noble materials and plays of light create a harmonious whole with immediate appeal.

C-Airdream also explores a new avenue in technology: electrical control systems.

A Coupe With Character!

The exterior styling of C-Airdream owes its strength as much to its slender proportions –
combining a long wheelbase and long front overhang with a short rear overhang – as to
the performance and fluidity of its external design lines.

The front end immediately catches the attention with its suggestion of latent power. Positioned either side of the radiator grille and chevron, the slim, directional headlamps are a perfect design fit with the smooth bonnet.

The attention to detail, visible in the design of the wheels for example, also contributes to the allure of the coupé, by accentuating its class and elegance.

The profile of C-Airdream expresses the pursuit of optimal aerodynamic design. The receding lines converging towards the rear of the vehicle suggest movement and fluidity, bringing the promise of new sensations. Clearly, this is a car that interacts with the road in a unique way. The waist line – slightly curved towards the rear – and the prominent wings, suggest stability and good roadholding.

Continuing the taut lines of the bonnet, the generous, strongly raked windscreen gives way – without a break – to the smooth curves of the roof. The fully glazed top part of the vehicle frees up the visual field of the occupants to create a strong impression of space and light: an impression unique in a coupé.

The roof line ends with a sharply falling rear window: a perfect fit between the geometric shapes of the rear lights and the fluid lines of the coupé.

A Car To Rouse Your Emotions

tely perceive the interior environment as a new expression of onboard well-being.

Perceptible as soon as the doors are opened, the plays of light interact with the movements of the passengers, making the vehicle come alive. The calm atmosphere of the coupe is adorned by a gentle wave of light that ripples between the doors, the seats, the central console and the dashboard, accentuating the fusion between the various points of the passenger compartment and the ambient calm. The panoramic glazed roof diffuses a gentle light that warms the shadowy tones of the vehicle interior.

The clean, airy lines of the central console emphasise the friendly atmosphere while creating individual space for each occupant. On either side of the console, moiré-look seats with a satin feel set off the subtle mix of dark, glossy and matt leather that covers the passenger compartment.

Two folding seats at the rear offer generous space for luggage, a feature that makes the vehicle more versatile and more suited to a certain art of living.

The instrument cluster with its rev counter and speedometer is a perfect fit with the clean design lines of the dashboard. Information is displayed above the axis of the steering wheel whose original design features a fixed central hub. The navigation and information system screen in the centre of the dashboard is controlled using a mouse located at the end of a broad armrest that extends over the central console.

C-Airdream adopts an innovative approach to the adjustment of the driving position, making sure that the driver is ideally placed. The assembly made up of the steering wheel, associated controls and instrument cluster are electrically controlled to optimise the driving position while maintaining constant space for passengers at the rear.

Using the benefits of drive-by-wire technology, C-Airdream reinvents the driving position. All driving controls are placed on the fixed hub of the steering wheel within easy reach. This avoids any unnecessary movements on the part of the driver, who is able to enjoy driving pleasure to the full.

A DRIVING POSITION WITH ELECTRONIC CONTROLS:

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE ON BOARD

The use of electronic control systems for all the dynamic functions of the C-Airdream paves the way for a new and revolutionary approach to the interior architecture. Styling engineers were able to create innovative driving interfaces and look at a host of new possibilities in terms of layout.

The control layout is designed to ensure the comfort and well-being of both the driver and passengers. The absence of the pedal assembly frees up additional space, which is used to improve the interior layout and also to increase safety.

The fact that there are no mechanical parts, such as the steering column and pedal assembly, significantly reduces the risk of injury in the event of impact.

Having the controls on the steering-wheel also increases the speed at which the driver’s commands are performed. Precious time is saved in braking, for example, since the driver does not have to put his foot on the pedal.

In addition to the usual functions, the driving position on C-Airdream features the braking, acceleration and gearshift controls. Steering relies on an electric link combining several sensors with control electronics.

To accelerate, the driver applies thumb pressure to the paddles inside the steering wheel. Applying hand pressure to the other side of the paddle activates the braking system. The gearshift function relies on pushbuttons also positioned inside the steering wheel above the paddles, and designed for thumb control.
These controls are all highly ergonomic. Their use becomes natural after just a short time behind the wheel.

VARIABLE-RATIO ELECTRIC STEERING

The steering function features full electronic control, through which the steering wheel angle/wheel angle ratio can be varied automatically in accordance with the driver’s requirements. Speed and grip are also taken into account.

In particular, this function makes parking much easier owing to the more direct steering ratio (between one and two turns of the steering compared with three turns as a general rule. This feature also ensures pinsharp steering at high speeds.

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