New Citroen concept dressed to the 9s
Friday, 13 April 2012 12:23 PM
Seriously, let's hope that the super-sleek Citroen Numéro 9 concept car really is a shape of Citroen things to come. As long as it's not down a dark alleyway!
This month's Beijing Motor Show will see Citroen launch the Numéro 9 concept car. Unveiled in parallel with the standard DS line, the Numéro 9 offers a few clues as to where Citroen is going with the DS cars of the future. We certainly expect to see some of this concept pop up in the DS5 of the future - the Numéro 9 features radical shooting brake styling and it's unashamedly an executive car.
Just as the DS5 is being touted as the flagship and the kind of luxurious car the company MD might drive, so too the Numéro 9 seems to be aimed squarely at the affluent buyer. Citroen is also promising hints of the Numéro 9 across the entire DS range including a new D-segment executive saloon. They're telling us to expect to see reflections of this concept in a C-segment DS premium sedan and an SUV
Along with the head-turning styling, the Numéro 9 has a plug-in hybrid drivetrain offering an astounding fuel economy of 166mpg and CO2 emissions at just 39g/km. Excellent! A big car that beats the congestion charge! The Numéro 9 can travel for 50km in full electric mode, it offers 295bhp and a boost function. A standard household socket can be used to charge the battery and the 70bhp electric motor can be mated to either a petrol or diesel engine. The performance isn't too shabby either - Numéro 9 takes just 5.4 seconds to go from 0 to 62mph and top speed is 152mph.
Adding to the aerodynamics, the Numéro 9 has a rear spoiler, specially designed windscreen pillars and 'Turbine' wheels with integrated fins to improve airflow around the wheel.
The Numéro 9 has a low stance, 21-inch wheels and a 3m wheelbase, making it pretty darn roomy inside. The roof has three glass areas to add to the ambience. Like all good concept cars, there's a groovy new body colour concept including deep black bodywork with hints of violet. The finish is called “Whisper”.
It is certainly another radical design idea from Citroen and it's good to see the French automaker is continuing to show some Gallic flair in its designs amid a sea of other cars that can often look much the same.
By Georgia Lewis
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