Citroën Numéro 9 Concept: More of What We Love From the French

Citroën's premium DS line is two years old, and now the French are launching another stunning concept car. Called Numéro 9, dedicated to the DS sub-brand, and to be shown at the Beijing auto show next week, it hints at three future models: a mid-size and a full-size premium sedan, and an SUV. Its two-box shape resembles an oversize DS5 more than a traditional sedan. Propelled by a hybrid powerplant which consists of a 221-hp, 1.6-liter turbo four and a rear-mounted electric motor good for 148 lb-ft of torque, the Numéro 9 represents a more modest approach than the Citroën Metropolis concept. The Metropolis was a large, three-box sedan unveiled at the 2010 Shanghai Expo with a 454-hp powertrain. That vehicle was subsequently deemed too big, and the project was abandoned. Numéro 9, with a length of 194.1 inches, a width of 76.4 inches and a height of just 50 inches—standing on 21-inch wheels and a wheelbase of 118.1 inches—displays stunning proportions. The hidden rear-door handles create the impression of a two-door shooting brake, if you don't look closely. The playful and muscular styling carries the brand forward with a headlight design that emits a "hypnotic gaze," as Citroën likes to put it. The concept is painted in a shade of violet—perhaps marking the return of that pompous color popular some 20 years ago. This all-wheel-drive concept will rush from a standstill to 62 mph in just 5.4 seconds and reach 152 mph. In addition to its impressive performance, Numéro 9 also can travel 30 miles on an electric charge and achieve 138 mpg in the European cycle, which is even less of a real-world measure on hybrids than it is on traditional powertrains. Citroën's DS line has been a remarkable success in Europe; Numéro 9, should it go into production, could make the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Audi A7 seem rather conservative. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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