Citroen 19_19 concept revealed

Citroen has revealed a new concept celebrating the French car-maker’s centenary – and it presents like a lounge room on wheels.

The Citroen 19_19 concept will feature at the VivaTech conference in Paris later this week and has been built to show off the Citroen's "vision of ultra-comfort and extended mobility to escape from the cities".

Purportedly marrying the fuselage of an aircraft with the bubble-like glasshouse of a helicopter, the 19_19 rides on 30-inch wheels and is jammed full of frankly science-fiction technologies that are set to become reality in the future.

In-your-face aesthetics aside, the 19_19 employs Citroen’s long-standing “magic carpet ride” with actively-controlled progressive hydraulic cushion suspension.

Autonomous driving teams with a digital personal assistant with natural language recognition to provide seamless car-to-human interaction.

Conventional driving isn’t totally out of the equation, however, with a retracting steering wheel and augmented reality head-up display.

Moreover, the driver’s seat is more upright than the power-footrest lounger where the front passenger sits. In the back, two seats form an ersatz sofa. Instead of headrests, there's a flexible webbing meant to resemble a hammock.

The 19_19 is fully electric, using four electric motors (one on each axle) to deliver 340kW and 800Nm – arriving at 100km/h from rest in 5.0 seconds and reaching a top speed of 200km/h.

The car’s long-range amenity is supported by a 100kWh battery pack that is said to deliver a total driving range of 800km using the WLTP cycle.

When it comes to recharging, the 19_19 features wireless capability that foregoes messy chords and cables. According to Citroen, the concept’s range can be boosted by nearly 600km in 20 minutes when using a fast charger.

Measuring 4655mm long, 2240mm wide and 1600mm tall, the 19_19 rides on a 3100mm wheelbase and is said to offer sprawling interior proportions for its four passengers.

Occupants will be ensured plenty of privacy, too, courtesy of micro-perforated trim on the rear of the vehicle that allows them to see out, but blocks outsiders from seeing in.