A new Expression of driving pleasure
The noble styling of the C?SportLounge's bodywork is pleasing
to the eye from the first glance. Pure, assertive lines perfectly
reflect Citroën's style codes. The original architecture
successfully combines a powerful, sleekly muscled appearance with
remarkable aerodynamics.
Powerful, flowing lines
The concept car has a sleek silhouette with flowing lines, but
also gives a sense of power with ultra-smooth flanks, rounded at
the top, and yellow body paint, which emphasises the vehicle's
sleekly muscled looks.
The determined look of the front end is enhanced by the wide air
intakes and clearcut headlamps. The headlamps have swivelling
beams, providing optimum lighting in bends. The large chrome
chevrons on the smooth bonnet express the Marque's signature. The
large windscreen placed well to the front rises high and melds
into the sunroof in a single unbroken line, offering a broad glass
surface, enhancing visibility and letting in maximum light.
The profile of the C-SportLounge reflects optimal aerodynamic
design. The receding roof arch and attention to detail underscore
the vehicle's class and elegance. The flowing lines are
highlighted by two chrome horizontal bars: one following the waist
line and the other running along the bonnet up the top of the
front quarter-light. The C-SportLounge also expresses strength and
power through generous volumes, stressed by well-defined wheel
arches and 20-inch aluminium wheels.
The powerful design of the front and rear ends gives the vehicle a
determined, powerful appearance. The concept car has
boomerang-shaped LED headlamps and two chrome exhaust pipes.
Optimised aerodynamic design
Special attention has been paid to the aerodynamic, flowing
lines – strong Citroën values. The drag coefficient is 0.26 and
rear lift 0.02. In addition to styling and volume that enhance air
penetration, various technological features contribute to that
result:
- air ducts on both sides of the front bumper. They produce an
air flow through the front wheel arches, creating a virtual
fairing.
- an electro-mechanical system at the rear of the roof. It
consists of micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMs), which
create a virtual airfoil by propelling jets of air and
substantially improve the vehicle's drag and stability at high
speeds.
- a reverse mobile airfoil, under the structure at the rear of
the vehicle. This cylinder-activated reverse airfoil improves
lift and enhances vehicle stability at high speeds. It has three
positions:
- a "neutral" position, integrated with the rear styling,
when the vehicle is stationary or in the city,
- a position adopted at a cruising speed of above 90 kph
that optimises the drag coefficient and lift,
- a position activated during emergency braking to increase
negative lift by adding support and stabilising the vehicle.
- the smooth subframe improves both drag and positive lift by
optimising air flow under the vehicle.
This capacity to penetrate the air enhances the C-SportLounge's
efficient, dynamic handling, performance and
environmental-friendliness.
Dynamic performance and environmental-friendliness
This concept car could be fitted with 140 bhp to 200 bhp
petrol or diesel HDi engines equipped with a particulate filter.
The engines can be matted with auto-adaptive six-speed gearboxes.
As well as the automatic comfort mode, the driver can opt for
manual gear change, using paddles behind the wheel.
Thanks to its low drag coefficient, the C?SportLounge combines
high performance with low fuel consumption and emissions.
An invitation to travel
The interior design confirms the vehicle's dynamic and
powerful style. The interior of the C-SportLounge, designed to
seat four adults comfortably, expresses the grand touring spirit
of the concept. The on-board feel is a harmonious blend of noble,
sturdy, extensively worked materials and high-tech styling for the
driving position, inspired by aviation design.
A cockpit feel
The design of the driving position was dictated by driving
pleasure. The driver sits in an authentic cockpit between the
central tunnel and the generously curved inner door. This
impression is accentuated by the styling and location of the
instrument panel: driver-dedicated navigation screens, start
button on the roof, and aluminium knobs for the two-zone climate
control system on the tunnel. The dials are covered in translucent
yellow materials. There are four easy-to-identify display areas:
- left-hand side of the steering wheel: oil and water gauges and
speedometer with two arcs and two needles;
- right-hand side of the steering wheel: rev counter and climate
control data;
- centre of the steering wheel: display of the automatic gearbox
mode selected;
- front doors: two on-board touch screens, within reach of the
driver and front passenger, display information on the
telephone, audio and navigation systems and pocket-PC functions.
The passenger can also access multimedia functions such as the
DVD player and games.
The semi-raised driving position offers the driver proper
eye height for comfort and safety, as well as a "sports type"
seating position for more driving pleasure. The driver's seat and
the central console are all of one piece, which keeps the
automatic gearbox and climate-control system controls within
reach, regardless of the horizontal seat adjustment setting.
The driver's position has been designed to let the driver
concentrate on the road, with a fixed-centred controls steering
wheel and gear-changing paddles.
Travel in comfort
With rear-hinged doors at the rear, the C-SportLounge offers
unexpectedly generous access for a vehicle of this type. The doors
open together with the central pillar to an angle of 87°.
Four independent seats, padded and upholstered in bronze-coloured
leather, with integrated seat belts, envelop the driver and
passengers, who travel in comfort, in an interior modelled on a
fighter plane. The leather-upholstered door panels and floor add
to the opulence of the interior. The pure lines of the dashboard
continue onto the door panels in a receding line that duplicates
the overstitching on the seats.
A central tunnel divides the space into individual areas. The pure
glass sunroof, divided into four parts, highlights these
individualised areas. Like the broad windscreen and long side
windows, the sunroof maximises light and enhances the sensation of
being open to the sky. Contributing to the refinement of the
interior ambience, LED lighting concealed in the armrests diffuses
filtered light.
The roomy luggage compartment makes long-distance travel easy.
The original architecture and dynamic, prestigious appearance of
the C?SportLounge clearly states its grand touring ambition.
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