Citroen Offers Glimpse of CEXPERIENCE Concept

PARIS – Citroen publishes the first renderings of its CEXPERIENCE gasoline-hybrid concept hatchback to be debuted at next month’s Paris auto show.

The French automaker claims the fullsize hatchback concept will bring a fresh approach to the family-car segment. Bold body lines and rear hinged doors plus triple-cluster LED front headlamps are the new car’s exterior visual highlights.

The pearlescent sea-green exterior color contrasts with seats upholstered in a padded-effect yellow-mesh fabric, and the backrests feature a shade of walnut wood.

The hatchback measures 191 ins. (4,851 mm) long and 79 ins. (2,007 mm) wide with a low roof height of 54 ins. (1,372 mm) and short overhangs from a 118-in. (2,998-mm) wheelbase, contributing to the car’s flowing lines. It sits on 5-spoke 22-in. wheels.

The hybrid-electric powertrain employs a gasoline engine developing between 150 hp and 200 hp with a total of 300 hp coupled to a 80-kW (107-hp) electric motor. The system’s 3-kW battery can be charged in 4 1/2 hours with a standard charging system, or in less than 2 1/2 hours with a 6.6-kW charger designed for connection to a 32-amp socket.

Connectivity features an infotainment system allowing passengers to use a smartphone and mobile tablet to activate a range of controls including starting the car and sharing media files with other passengers.

“The Citroen CXPERIENCE CONCEPT car challenges convention to express a new vision of executive hatchbacks,” says Linda Jackson, Citroen CEO. “It also fits in perfectly with the ambitions of the Citroen Advanced Comfort program (and) illustrates the brand’s capacity to deploy its ‘Be Different, Feel Good’ promise in this segment.”