2005 Citroen C-SportLounge

2005-09-12

CITROËN C SPORTLOUNGE: GRAND TOURING SPIRIT

In a world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2005, Citroën is unveiling a fresh interpretation of the grand touring car, in phase with new trends in automotive pleasure. Its distinctive styling features powerful, aerodynamic exterior lines and a cockpit-inspired interior designed for the pleasure of the driver and the well-being of the three passengers. The C SportLounge combines sporty driving style with high levels of onboard quality.

A NEW EXPRESSION OF DRIVING PLEASURE

The noble styling of the C SportLounge's bodywork is pleasing to the eye from the first glance. Pure, assertive lines perfectly reflect Citroën's style codes. The original architecture successfully combines a powerful, sleekly muscled appearance with remarkable aerodynamics.

Powerful, flowing lines

The concept car has a sleek silhouette with flowing lines, but also gives a sense of power with ultra-smooth flanks, rounded at the top, and yellow body paint, which emphasises the vehicle's sleekly muscled looks.

The determined look of the front end is enhanced by the wide air intakes and clearcut headlamps. The headlamps have swivelling beams, providing optimum lighting in bends. The large chrome chevrons on the smooth bonnet express the Marque's signature. The large windscreen placed well to the front rises high and melds into the sunroof in a single unbroken line, offering a broad glass surface, enhancing visibility and letting in maximum light.

The profile of the C SportLounge reflects optimal aerodynamic design. The receding roof arch and attention to detail underscore the vehicle's class and elegance. The flowing lines are highlighted by two chrome horizontal bars: one following the waist line and the other running along the bonnet up the top of the front quarter-light. The C SportLounge also expresses strength and power through generous volumes, stressed by well-defined wheel arches and 20-inch aluminium wheels.

The powerful design of the front and rear ends gives the vehicle a determined, powerful appearance. The concept car has boomerang-shaped LED headlamps and two chrome exhaust pipes.

Optimised aerodynamic design

Special attention has been paid to the aerodynamic, flowing lines – strong Citroën values. The drag coefficient is 0.26 and rear lift 0.02. In addition to styling and volume that enhance air penetration, various technological features contribute to that result:

· air ducts on both sides of the front bumper. They produce an air flow through the front wheel arches, creating a virtual fairing.

· an electro-mechanical system at the rear of the roof. It consists of micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMs), which create a virtual airfoil by propelling jets of air and substantially improve the vehicle's drag and stability at high speeds.

· a reverse mobile airfoil, under the structure at the rear of the vehicle. This cylinder-activated reverse airfoil improves lift and enhances vehicle stability at high speeds. It has three positions:

- a "neutral" position, integrated with the rear styling, when the vehicle is stationary or in the city,

- a position adopted at a cruising speed of above 90 kph that optimises the drag coefficient and lift,

- a position activated during emergency braking to increase negative lift by adding support and stabilising the vehicle.

· the smooth subframe improves both drag and positive lift by optimising air flow under the vehicle.

This capacity to penetrate the air enhances the C SportLounge's efficient, dynamic handling, performance and environmental-friendliness.

Dynamic performance and environmental-friendliness

This concept car could be fitted with 140 bhp to 200 bhp petrol or diesel HDi engines equipped with a particulate filter. The engines can be matted with auto-adaptive six-speed gearboxes. As well as the automatic comfort mode, the driver can opt for manual gear change, using paddles behind the wheel.

Thanks to its low drag coefficient, the C SportLounge combines high performance with low fuel consumption and emissions.

AN INVITATION TO TRAVEL

The interior design confirms the vehicle's dynamic and powerful style. The interior of the C SportLounge, designed to seat four adults comfortably, expresses the grand touring spirit of the concept. The on-board feel is a harmonious blend of noble, sturdy, extensively worked materials and high-tech styling for the driving position, inspired by aviation design.

A cockpit feel

The design of the driving position was dictated by driving pleasure. The driver sits in an authentic cockpit between the central tunnel and the generously curved inner door. This impression is accentuated by the styling and location of the instrument panel: driver-dedicated navigation screens, start button on the roof, and aluminium knobs for the two-zone climate control system on the tunnel. The dials are covered in translucent yellow materials. There are four easy-to-identify display areas:

· left-hand side of the steering wheel: oil and water gauges and speedometer with two arcs and two needles;

· right-hand side of the steering wheel: rev counter and climate control data;

· centre of the steering wheel: display of the automatic gearbox mode selected;

· front doors: two on-board touch screens, within reach of the driver and front passenger, display information on the telephone, audio and navigation systems and pocket-PC functions. The passenger can also access multimedia functions such as the DVD player and games.

The semi-raised driving position offers the driver proper eye height for comfort and safety, as well as a "sports type" seating position for more driving pleasure. The driver's seat and the central console are all of one piece, which keeps the automatic gearbox and climate-control system controls within reach, regardless of the horizontal seat adjustment setting.

The driver's position has been designed to let the driver concentrate on the road, with a fixed-centred controls steering wheel and gear-changing paddles.

Travel in comfort

With rear-hinged doors at the rear, the C SportLounge offers unexpectedly generous access for a vehicle of this type. The doors open together with the central pillar to an angle of 87°.

Four independent seats, padded and upholstered in bronze-coloured leather, with integrated seat belts, envelop the driver and passengers, who travel in comfort, in an interior modelled on a fighter plane. The leather-upholstered door panels and floor add to the opulence of the interior. The pure lines of the dashboard continue onto the door panels in a receding line that duplicates the overstitching on the seats.

A central tunnel divides the space into individual areas. The pure glass sunroof, divided into four parts, highlights these individualised areas. Like the broad windscreen and long side windows, the sunroof maximises light and enhances the sensation of being open to the sky. Contributing to the refinement of the interior ambience, LED lighting concealed in the armrests diffuses filtered light.

The roomy luggage compartment makes long-distance travel easy.

The original architecture and dynamic, prestigious appearance of the C SportLounge clearly states its grand touring ambition.

Technical characteristics

Dimensions

Length: 4.51 m

Width: 1.87 m

Height: 1.52 m

Wheelbase: 2.72 m

Aerodynamics

Drag coefficient: 0.26

Forward lift: 0.01

Rear lift: 0.02

Engines*: 140 bhp to 200 bhp petrol or HDi diesel engine with a particulate filter

Gearbox: six-speed gearbox with gear-changing paddles on steering wheel and mode selection lever for the automatic gearbox on the central tunnel

Tyres: Michelin 255-40 R20, asymmetrical tread design

Electric parking brake

Directional headlamps

* The concept car presented is fitted with an HDi 138 DPFS engine coupled with an automatic six-speed gearbox

SOURCE: Citroen

2005-10-08

C-SportLounge, Grand Touring Citroën style

In a world first at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2005, Citroën is presenting a new interpretation of the grand touring car, in phase with new trends in automotive pleasure. The new C-SportLounge concept car, which stands out with its evocative name and distinctive body style, features powerful, aerodynamic exterior lines and a cockpit-inspired interior designed for the pleasure of the driver and the well-being of the three passengers. The C-SportLounge combines dynamic character with high levels of onboard quality.

The wide tracks and curved flanks of the C-SportLounge convey a sense of power, while the flowing lines and elongated roof optimise aerodynamics, a Citroën speciality. Special care was taken with the air flow, resulting in a drag coefficient of just 0.26. The determined look of the front end is emphasised by the broadened air intake and elongated, clearcut headlamps. The large windscreen placed well to the front rises high and melds into the sunroof in a single unbroken line, offering a broad glass surface, enhancing visibility and letting in maximum light.

The luxurious interior of the C-SportLounge, designed to seat four adults comfortably, expresses the grand touring spirit of this concept car. The on-board ambience is a harmonious mix of noble, dense, worked materials and more mechanical styling for the driving position. With reverse-opening doors at the rear, the C-SportLounge offers unexpected accessibility for a vehicle of this type. Long-distance journeys can be approached serenely thanks to more than generous boot space.

The driving position was inspired by aviation design and dictated by driving pleasure. Driver and passengers alike will feel like they are in an aeroplane cockpit. This impression is heightened by the special treatment and location of the analogue instruments. The semi-raised driving position boosts driving sensations while enhancing comfort and safety. The driver's seat and central console are all of one piece, so that the automatic gearbox and climate controls remain within reach, regardless of the driver's chosen seat length adjustment. The interior has been designed to let the driver concentrate on the road: the steering wheel has fixed central controls and gear-changing paddles.

SOURCE: Citroen