Citroën's new CXperience concept car is a combination of compelling style and Gallic weirdness. Set to debut at next month's Paris auto show, the sleek sedan is a preview of a possible Audi A7-fighter from the French brand.
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Like the fastback from Ingolstadt, the CXperience banks on the theory that sex sells. Low and wide, the 191-inch long CXperience pushes its big, 22-inch wheels to the edges of its shapely bodywork. The result is a Citroën with looks that could to appeal to the masses and not just a small set of Francophiles.
-That isn't to say the CXperience isn't without its design quirks, though. Take for instance, the flaps at the bottom of the front bumper cover—they open and close to assist in aerodynamics. While this idea is nothing new, most automakers hide active aerodynamics behind bodywork. Not Citroën. Similarly, the trim strips that frame the CXperience's grille extend out to sideways Vs and become the daytime running lights; a trio of rectangular LEDs below comprise the headlights.
-The CXperience's interior is almost Scandinavian in its simplicity. A massive dashboard-mounted screen is sandwiched between curved-wood upper and lower elements; and more curved wood appears on the console, door panels, and seatbacks. Citroën notes that the big, rectangular screen can be configured as one single screen or to show separate displays for both the driver and front passenger. Additional smaller screens at the front of the door panels serve as monitors for the door-mounted side-view cameras. Not one to leave its quirky French heritage behind, though, Citroën also fitted the CXperience with a single-spoke steering wheel (inspired by the classic DS), wrapped the front-seat cushions up onto the console, and bathed the interior in a searing hue of citrus yellow.
-Under the CXperience's shapely bodywork sits a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. Powering the front wheels is a combustion engine and electric motor with an eight-speed automatic transmission positioned between the two units, while a separate rear-mounted electric motor powers the rear wheels. When all three power sources are firing, the CXperience marches forward with the pull of 300 horses. Alternately, the CXperience can travel up to 37 miles in all-electric driving.
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Although still a concept, the CXperience is a promising peak into Citroën's future. And with talk of the brand returning to our shores within the next decade, it's possible a CXperience-like Citroën will be something Americans can experience as well.
-from Car and Driver BlogCar and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/nSHy27
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