Citroen Shaved Cactus
Cacti get on with life, requiring very little in the way of fluids, and the latest Citroën concept, the C4 Cactus Airflow 2L, takes on a similar philosophy. Conceived to meet the challenge of having an affordable, 2.0L/100km car on sale by 2020, the concept is honed to sip fuel.
Described as a laboratory for new ideas, key features include an aerodynamically optimised design, which improves its slipperiness by 20 per cent over the standard model, low rolling resistance rubber, mass reduction to the tune of 100kg and the use of PSA’s new Hybrid Air technology.
The aeros have been improved by way of active shutters up front to regulate air flow through the engine bay, while side deflectors direct the air around the Cactus and the front wheels have active shutters as well. The narrow 155/70R19 tyres play a part, as does a lengthened rear spoiler and a flat underbody, while the wing mirrors have been replaced by rear facing cameras.
To reduce weight, more alloys, high strength steel and composite materials are employed, the latter used for the suspension springs, tailgate, rear bench seat, side panels, roof, wings and doors. All up the car weighs 865kg. Powering the concept is a Hybrid Air drivetrain. It consists of a friction optimised three-cylinder petrol engine, two compressed air storage tanks made of carbon fibre, a hydraulic pump/motor unit and an automatic transmission. It has three operating modes; air power where the compressed air motor takes over from the petrol engine, petrol power, using only the combustion engine and combined power which draws upon both propulsion systems.
No word yet on how the Hybrid Air system drives, but at least Citroën has another six years to get it all up to standard.
Described as a laboratory for new ideas, key features include an aerodynamically optimised design, which improves its slipperiness by 20 per cent over the standard model, low rolling resistance rubber, mass reduction to the tune of 100kg and the use of PSA’s new Hybrid Air technology.
The aeros have been improved by way of active shutters up front to regulate air flow through the engine bay, while side deflectors direct the air around the Cactus and the front wheels have active shutters as well. The narrow 155/70R19 tyres play a part, as does a lengthened rear spoiler and a flat underbody, while the wing mirrors have been replaced by rear facing cameras.
To reduce weight, more alloys, high strength steel and composite materials are employed, the latter used for the suspension springs, tailgate, rear bench seat, side panels, roof, wings and doors. All up the car weighs 865kg. Powering the concept is a Hybrid Air drivetrain. It consists of a friction optimised three-cylinder petrol engine, two compressed air storage tanks made of carbon fibre, a hydraulic pump/motor unit and an automatic transmission. It has three operating modes; air power where the compressed air motor takes over from the petrol engine, petrol power, using only the combustion engine and combined power which draws upon both propulsion systems.
No word yet on how the Hybrid Air system drives, but at least Citroën has another six years to get it all up to standard.
Citroen Shaved Cactus
Reviewed by Unknown
on
9:04 AM
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Reviewed by Unknown
on
9:04 AM
Rating:
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