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C-AIRDREAM:
AN EXPRESSION OF CITROËN
KNOW-HOW
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 COUPÉ OF 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 THE EMOTIONS
Truly
an exceptional vehicle, C-Airdream makes a strong
impression on anybody
who steps inside. Sight and senses immediately
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.
CITROËN,
ALWAYS AT THE LEADING EDGE
OF TECHNOLOGY
After
the C-Crosser concept car, Citroën is continuing its
research into
drive-by-wire technology by exploring a new area of
expertise:
all-electric controls for braking and steering
functions.
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.
INCREASED SAFETY
THROUGH THE ELECTRIC
BRAKING SYSTEM
The
electronically controlled braking system brings
real-time control of
the pressure exerted on each brake disc. In
consequence, the braking
capacity of each tyre can be used to the full at all
times, whatever
the level of grip.
INTER-SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
A
vehicle dynamics controller analyses data from the
sensors and decides
on the action to be performed by each component. In
the event of
asymmetric braking, for example, the steering system
can automatically
correct the path taken by the vehicle and transmit
the corresponding
information to the driver.
In
this way, Citroën has adopted a new approach to the
dynamic
capabilities of off-road vehicles and has enhanced
safety levels with
respect to conventional systems by means of
continuous electronic
control. This architecture relies primarily on a
dual-voltage
electrical network (12V – 42V).
OPTIMISED AERODYNAMIC
DESIGN
As
a result of the in-depth studies conducted on
aerodynamic design,
C-Airdream has a Cd of 0.28 (Cd.A = 0.58 m²), to
enhance acoustic
comfort and cut fuel consumption and pollutant
emissions.
TRIED AND TESTED
MECHANICALS
C-Airdream
is fitted with the 3.0i V6 engine developing maximum
power of 150 kW
EEC (210 bhp DIN) at 6,100 rpm. The engine is
coupled with an
auto-adaptive automatic gearbox with sequential
controls on the
steering wheel.
The
Hydractive 3 suspension – naturally an integral part
of the mechanicals
– provides comfort and roadholding. Two suspension
settings are
available, comfort or sport, depending on driving
style and road
conditions.
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