Citroen concept guaranteed airplay
Bland, characterless designs seem to have been banished forever from Citroen, a marque that forged its reputation on innovation and thinking outside the square.Curious, then, that the brand churned out some very forgettable offerings during the 1980s and '90s.
However, the new C4 Coupe (which won the Wheels Automotive Design Award earlier this year) is clear evidence the company is recapturing vintage form. Also encouraging was the beautifully proportioned C-SportLounge concept unveiled at September's Frankfurt motor show.
The twin-chevron brand has now followed up with the funky C-AirPlay concept, revealed at the recent Bologna show (Italy's top motoring expo).
Conceived by British designer Mark Lloyd, the design study is ostensibly a pointer to a next-gen Pluriel, or similar vehicle. Interesting design elements abound throughout the car. For example, the see-through portholes in the lower sections of the doors are there to "increase the sensation of speed".
That's not all. How about touch-sensitive controls for the gears, electric windows and rear-view mirror that are moulded into the front seat itself? Even the speedo and tacho are housed in an unusual location -- the steering wheel hub.
The C-AirPlay is powered by an 82kW petrol engine, mated to a SensoDrive sequential transmission that enables gearchanges via the steering wheel-mounted paddles. Its eco-friendly credentials are also immaculate, thanks to Stop & Start technology that deactivates the engine when the car is stationary.
In case you're wondering about the AirPlay moniker, it's to do with the "bright and airy interior" provided by the massive expanse of glass.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
