Citroen's hypnotic Paris concept

Citroen will provide the first clues to a future SUV with the Paris motor show unveiling of the Hypnos concept -- a low-slung C5-derived crossover that could slot into the twin-chevron brand's line-up above the new C-Crosser.

Apart from its avant-garde styling, the concept also debuts a cutting-edge hybrid drivetrain that Citroen has dubbed HyMotion.

The new powertrain consists of a diesel engine that drives the front wheels and an electric motor driving the rear axle -- and this same arrangement will be used by Citroen's upcoming production-ready hybrids.

Working in tandem with the electric motor, the 147kW diesel engine returns a claimed consumption figure of 4.5L/100km and emits 120g/km of CO2 -- pretty handy numbers for a medium-sized SUV.

Bolstering its economies of scale, the Hypnos shares its PF3 platform with the C5, and its all-wheel-drive system is also a cost-effective set-up via the front-diesel/rear-electric drivetrain.

The concept's low-riding stance suggests the eventual production version will be more tarmac dweller than off-road warrior, as per the likes of BMW's new X6 (more here).

Its design language is in keeping with the styling of the new C5 (more here), with a well-executed mix of curves and sharp edges. It's clearly recognisable as a Citroen, thanks to design elements such as the swept-back headlights and twin-chevron grille.

One needn't read too much into the rendering of the outlandish interior -- conceived by British designer Leanne Early -- although some elements will feature in future production Citroens.

The Hypnos's coloured lighting is a more radical interpretation of the C4 Picasso's mood lighting, which in turn was inspired by the projectors from the C-Airdream concept's interior.

Although the Hypnos stretches the design envelope, it's not merely a pie-in-the-sky exercise, as odds are that a production version will surface over the next two years -- just as last year's C5 Airscape concept was a precursor to the second-generation C5 that recently launched here.

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