Citroen’s vision of the future
ELECTRIC power and self-driving cars are the future for Citroen as the French car maker sets out a vision for its second century.
A pair of concept models were revealed at the Vivatech exhibition in Paris which show the brand’s direction for a new age of motoring.
The Ami One electric city car – which was seen at the Geneva Motor Show in March – was joined by the much larger 19_19 Concept which Citroen describes as its vision of E-comfort.
While both are very futuristic in design and technology they have features which are likely to make their way on to the next generation of Citroen models.
The 19_19 Concept is a ‘living room’ on wheels which measures 15ft 3ins in length, is 7ft 4ins wide and 5ft 3ins high – slightly shorter but much wider than a Ford Mondeo.
Sitting on 30-inch wheels specifically designed by Goodyear and with a long wheelbase of more than 10 feet, the cabin is suspended within the body to create the ultimate in ‘magic carpet’ rides for which Citroen is famed.
It has the Progressive Hydraulic suspension system first seen on the C4 Cactus and C5 Aircross SUV and individual seats specifically designed for each occupant. The front passenger seat is more chaise longue than conventional and has its own foot rest while the rear seats are more sofa than anything else. Festooned with technology which includes display screens throughout, voice control operation for virtually every function and foldaway driving controls when operating autonomously, the 19_19 is powered by a 100 kwh battery pack giving a single charge range of some 500 miles. It has two motors – one on each axle – giving four-wheel-drive and
The 19_19 Concept’s cabin is suspended within the body to create the ultimate in ‘magic carpet’ rides
healthy performance figures of 0 to 60 in five seconds with a top speed of 125mph and can be recharged to 80 per cent capacity in 20 minutes from a fast charger.
There’s also an inductive charging feature which allows the car to replenish its power when stationery without having to plug in.
An array of sensors allows the car to drive itself on motorways or in heavy traffic while the driver can take back control whenever wanted.
Citroen says the 19_19 Concept shows that long distance touring can be a reality in the electric age and is a car designed to make driving easier, inspired by aeronautical design.
As Linda Jackson, Citroen’s British-born chief executive, said: “19_19 Concept is our technological and innovative vision of the automotive future.
“It conserves the fundamentals that have made Citroen what it is over the last 100 years, a brand that listens to its customers and systematically focuses on human aspects with its ‘Inspired by You’ brand signature. Design, creativity, comfort and innovation are and will reman centre to Citroen’s DNA.”
The French car company, founded in 1919 by industrialist Andre-gustave Citroen, has become known across the world for its innovative design creating such models as the Traction Avant – the first mass produced front-wheel-drive car – and the original DS with its hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension.
It used the Vivatech event – one of the world’s leading technology shows – to display its take on mobility in the future not just with its concept cars but also with gadgets such as the Seetroen anti-travel sickness glasses which can be bought for around £90 and its Free2move app-based travel service.
The Ami One Concept fits into the Free2move strategy as a two-seat city vehicle designed for car sharing.
It has a top speed of 30mph and a range of 75 miles and in certain countries can be operated without a driving licence.
At some eight feet.long Citroen says four Ami Ones can fit into a standard parking
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