Citroen foresees a cushy future

Citroen is making a return to its principal brand strength, developing what it hopes will be the benchmark for the future of automotive ride and seat comfort.

Previewing that future is a prototype vehicle based on the C4 Cactus, kitted out with what the manufacturer calls 'Citroën Advanced Comfort' fittings.

Citroen refers to the prototype as the Citroen Advanced Comfort Programme Lab. It is actually a 'rolling showcase' for new technology, in the manufacturer's own words. Underpinned by an all-new suspension system, the car also features seats that are said to be inspired by bedding. Supporting both those measures is a platform that's 20 per cent stiffer.

Citroen has applied for more than 30 patents to secure intellectual property rights associated with the new technology installed in the car.

The suspension system developed for the car comprises a conventional spring and damper set-up for smaller bumps and dips in the road, but each suspension unit also incorporates two hydraulic cushions – one for compression and one for rebound – in lieu of a conventional bump stop. These hydraulic stops improve wheel articulation, and also slow the rate of compression and rebound in harder hits. According to the manufacturer, the hydraulic cushions deliver a 'magic carpet ride'.

Citroen claims this system would be affordable to develop and manufacture, even for cars at the low end of the market.

For improved structural rigidity and quieter, safer and more comfortable running, the prototype employs a bonding process, with discontinuous lines of adhesive sealing the car's structural members together between the spot welds. It's an idea that is already in use by Jaguar Land Rover for its aluminium-bodied SUVs.

Body rigidity is improved by 20 per cent on average, Citroen claims, and without any appreciable weight gain in the body. Once again, this is a cost-effective solution, and one easily incorporated in the production process for low-priced cars.

For the seats, Citroen used polyurethane foam, viscoelastic or textured foam – in varying degrees of firmness and density – to develop seats that adjust precisely to the physique of each occupant. While the cushioning is very compliant, it always returns to its original shape after the occupant has left the seat.

While the concept car/prototype primarily tackles passenger comfort from three directions – suspension, platform architecture and seating, Citroen also notes that ambient noise, light, spaciousness and ergonomics are factors in the holistic comfort of passengers, and these are also addressed in the Citroen Advanced Comfort Programme.

The four KPIs for the programme are: driving comfort, living comfort, functional comfort and comfort of the mind. For driving comfort, the manufacturer aims to reduce or negate harsh ride qualities, vibration and acoustics.

Essentially reducing the car to a package or spacious module for the benefit of all passengers, whether on the move or standing still, 'living comfort' is enhanced with 'generous, space, functional storage compartments and an ingenious layout'.

Amounting to connectivity and simplifying the act of driving is 'functional comfort', which relies on 'intuitive technology', driving aids and digital communications to optimise the car as a workplace.

The final objective, comfort of the mind, acknowledges that drivers can lose situational awareness or become frazzled by information overload from the car.