PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Citroen reveals new flagship concept

Citroen has revealed a striking new large sedan concept that could preview many of the designs and technologies to come in a variety of future models from the French brand, including its redesigned flagship executive sedan, the C6.

Measuring just 1.37 metres high but a huge 2.0m wide and 4.85m in length, making it about as long as the current C6 not sold in Australia, the 'CXPERIENCE' is a smooth four-door featuring adjustable front air intakes, short overhangs, rear-hinged rear doors, a concave rear window and huge 22-inch wheels.

It's powered by a plug-in hybrid petrol-electric powertrain that's claimed to offer 60km of zero-emissions electric range in the city, thanks to an 80kW electric motor driving the rear wheels and powered by a compact 3kWh battery, which is mounted under the floor and takes between 2.5 and 4.5 hours to charge.

Combined with a 110-150kW four-cylinder petrol engine driving through a transversely mounted eight-speed 'electronic' automatic transmission, total output is a handy 220kW.

The advanced powertrain is wrapped by a sleek, futuristic body that showcases the styling of future Citroen models and shows how the French brand's latest design language – as seen on small cars like the next-generation C3 -- can be applied to large vehicles.

But the biggest surprise is inside the citrus yellow themed cabin, where Citroen's new Advanced Comfort program results in a "cacoon" that's "designed for the well-being and comfort of vehicle occupants".

The headline act is a huge 19-inch rectangular display mounted horizontally on a floating dashboard, incorporating a split-screen function to allow two operations at a time. For example, the driver could view the navigation system on a third of the display while passengers view a movie on the other two thirds.

There's also door-mounted cameras that replace the wing mirrors and send pictures to small digital screens on the inner door panels, front and rear cameras that provide a 360-degree view around the car, a single-spoke steering wheel and the ConnectedCAM camera system that was first seen on the new C3 and records the road ahead.

In the case of the CXPERIENCE, which makes its world debut at the Paris motor show on September 29, the Citroen Advanced Comfort program also extends to improved seat comfort, reducing exterior noise and even a reworked suspension system, which ditches the historic French brand's signature pneumatic operation.

"The whole Style team pulled in the same direction to create a new executive saloon with international reach, breaking with conventional codes to express the brand's values: Optimistic, Human and Smart," said Citroën Design Director, Alexandre Malval, who said the company's latest concept was inspired by architecture and furnishings.

"The Citroën CXPERIENCE CONCEPT car challenges convention to express a new vision of executive saloons. It also fits in perfectly with the ambitions of the Citroën Advanced Comfort programme,” said Citroen Chief Executive Officer, Linda Jackson.