Citroën C-Cactus
Encyclopedia
The Citroën C-Cactus is a concept car that debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car is named for its low consumption of resources, using a more fuel-economic diesel engine unlike the Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...

 and contemporaries, much like the cactus plant. The C-Cactus is an "ecological" car with a Hybrid HDi drivetrain capable of 69 mpg (3.4 l/100 km) on the combined cycle and emissions of 78g/km of .

Design

Designed to embody simplicity, the C-Cactus has an 'appealing, modern and upbeat' design, while through the combination of rounded and slightly angular forms, the car also has a muscular, energetic touch. New Citroen consists of 200 parts. Almost all the materials it is made from are recyclable. Citroen introduced a number of new design features to the C-Cactus. The dashboard has been removed in favour of grouping key controls on the central console and steering wheel hub, while a modular stowage system, allowing the sliding of the rear bench to reveal further under-floor stowage, increases bootspace from 500 to 1100 litres.

The car has sharp styling and attractive features. Its curves give it a fun look and strong appeal, while the angles and rounded lines of the bodywork underline its dynamic character. It is 4.2 metres long and 1.8 metres wide with a wide range of equipment including air conditioning with automatic temperature control, a high-quality audio system, a panoramic glass sunroof, cruise control and a speed limiter. Moreover, the interior of the car has been created by removing material. This idea of decorating "in a vacuum" is reflected in the patterns present on the door panels and seat frames. The patterns cut-out in the door panels show the apple green felt inserted between panel and metal. The main role of this part is to soundproof the vehicle, but its colour and cut-outs make it an integral part of the décor. The same flower, plant and butterfly patterns – symbolising the environment, purity and well-being – are also found on several other cabin features.

Technical specifications

Capable of running almost silently on battery power at low speed, the C-Cactus also has a 30 bhp 'electric motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...

', which helps the engine at higher speeds for overtaking. As well as featuring a diesel particulate filter, the ultra-clean C-Cactus emits only 78g/km of – meaning that if it went into production, it would be exempt from UK vehicle excise duty
Vehicle excise duty
Vehicle Excise Duty is a vehicle road use tax levied as an excise duty which must be paid for most types of vehicle which are to be used on the public roads in the United Kingdom...

 and plans for an extended congestion charge. While driving in city it can be named ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle). Michelin
Michelin
Michelin is a tyre manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne région of France. It is one of the two largest tyre manufacturers in the world along with Bridgestone. In addition to the Michelin brand, it also owns the BFGoodrich, Kleber, Riken, Kormoran and Uniroyal tyre brands...

has developed special low-profile tires for the Citroen C-Cactus Concept.

The fixed-hub steering wheel includes a wide variety of functions. In addition to the usual controls, it also includes the speedometer, which is of an unusual design. The figures, placed in relief around the hub, rotate according to speed and are positioned with respect to a fixed point.

A second touch screen on the central console includes a navigation system to guide the driver on the road. It also serves as an on-board computer. This equipment endows C-Cactus with high-tech advanced features while also keeping costs down, since functions are grouped together.

The central console features two powerful high-quality active loudspeakers, with a layout that limits both wiring and installation costs.

External links

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