Citroen Survolt a bolt from the blue

At last September's Frankfurt motor show Citroen unveiled the 2CV-inspired Revolte concept, and the twin-chevron brand is using the Geneva expo to showcase the Survolt concept -- distinguished by racecar styling within sub-compact dimensions.
 
In the words of the company: "The Citroen Survolt states that a small car does not have to be a two-box hatchback, it can be stylish, unconventional, and aggressive..."
 
Measuring just 3.85m long and 1.2m high, the Survolt is said to be proof that "a car can meet size, environmental and safety requirements and not be a boring rehash of existing cars in the supermini class".
 
Although its partially hooded headlights and oval-ish grille bear some resemblance to last year's cutesy Revolte, the latest concept is a completely different take on the baby-car theme.

Low-slung and sleek, it features strong contrasts between the voluptuous bonnet and sculpted flanks, highlighted by emphatic wheel arches that "promise performance and thrills".

The boss of the Survolt's design team, Bertrand Dantec, has been quoted as saying the car was drawn only once -- unlike most concepts, which are sketched up to 50 times before being signed off.

"I think it's important that this car didn't look like just another sports car," Dantec was quoted as saying. "It had to have some of the softness and femininity of the Revolte, because I think it would appeal to a different kind of buyer than the usual sports car."

Dantec also said a production variant of the Survolt could form the basis for a one-make race series.

Although technical details remain sketchy, the all-electric Survolt is reportedly propelled by a 200kW motor that drives the rear wheels. Batteries to power the motor are housed in the nose, the centre tunnel and in the rear. (In comparison, the Revolte featured an electric motor with a range-extending combustion engine)

Citroen describes the Survolt's cockpit as a "a floating cell... a glass setting held between chrome-finished roll bars like some magnificent piece of jewelry".

The company claims the car's generous glazed area brings light and a sensation of space that's "light years from that offered by today's sports cars".

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