2012 Citroen Numero 9

NUMÉRO 9: A FRESH LOOK AT THE DS LINE

Marketed alongside Citroën’s main range, the DS line explores new automotive territory. Based on more radical choices, it opens new perspectives in premium vehicle design. Inspired by ninety years of history and automotive excellence, the DS line illustrates the best of Citroën expertise in terms of creativity and technology. Two years after its launch, the DS line – comprising the Citroën DS3, DS4 and DS5 – has already notched up more than 200,000 sales.

Pursuing its career, the DS will be launched this year in China. To mark the event, Citroën has designed a new concept car, Numéro 9, to be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show. This concept heralds the future of the DS line and signals the styling cues of the next three models in the line: a C-segment premium sedan, an SUV and a D-segment executive saloon.

Concept car Numéro 9 sublimates the DNA of models in the DS line. It expresses radical choices in design with immediately recognisable styling that is both inspired and emotional. Sophistication is allied with a highquality finish for original driving sensations and features that are truly useful every day. Its charismatic body styling revisits the shooting brake, while the new front end is designed for plug-in full-hybrid technology. This concept car boasts remarkable levels of performance (50 km range, 295 bhp, boost function, 39 g/km of CO2). High standards, bold design, creativity and the best of technology.

A FRESH TAKE ON FRENCH-STYLE LUXURY

Bold design

Following on from the Citroën DS3, DS4 and DS5, concept car Numéro 9 takes a fresh look at the DS line. It is a new take on a body style with recognised prestige in automotive history: the shooting brake.

Subtly combining the proportions of a coupé with those of an estate, Numéro 9 hints at exceptional driving sensations, with its taut lines, long bonnet and ultra-low stance (1.27 m tall) on its 21-inch wheels. But it also promises unique onboard comfort, with its generous proportions and the three light shafts in the roof, creating a unique, friendly ambience for all passengers.

Numéro 9 is 4.9 m long and 1.94 m wide with a 3 m wheelbase. This has the advantage of freeing up leg room for passengers in the rear. Its roomy looks – an invitation to get behind the wheel – reflect the real requirements expressed by buyers in the executive segment for function and versatility.

Inspired by shooting brake design, Numéro 9 is a new executive take on D-segment design, alongside the more conventional saloons. A charismatic car with real character and immediately recognisable styling, it is continuing the story of the DS line.

The start of a new chapter

Great care went into every detail of concept car Numéro 9, which is a stylish embodiment of the heritage and sophistication of the DS line. Designed in Paris, the capital of fashion in its most superb and universal form, Numéro 9 opens a new chapter in the styling of the DS.

Numéro 9 sublimates the design cues cultivated by the DS line and introduces the new front-end identity of future models in the DS line, along with an original light signature. The new front end features a grille in 3D relief, flowing into the full-LED headlights, which end in daytime-running lights. The overall effect gives Numéro 9 a strong, hypnotic and unique gaze.

A concentrate of DS qualities

Combining the genes of a coupé and shooting brake, Numéro 9 has elegant, thoroughbred looks, with solid, sculpted proportions revealing subtle lines of tension. In this way, Numéro 9 cultivates its status through its distinctive and sophisticated character.

The concept car condenses the distinctive forms of the DS line. The most expressive features include the floating roof, underlined by a chrome trim with a discreet DS marking, and the glazed side surfaces flowing into the rear window.

Last, through its body colours and materials, Numéro 9 displays both mystery and sophistication. Its deep black bodywork with subtle hints of violet, baptised ‘Whisper”, is a perfect match for the warmer shade of the ‘californian” chrome finish.

A LEGACY OF CREATIVE HIGH-PERFORMANCE TECHNOLOGIES

The technologies used by concept car Numéro 9 combine comfort, safety and respect for the environment, while also delivering subtle but strong driving sensations for all those on board. Creative technologies that perfectly illustrate the Marque’s expertise.

Inspired design

Every detail of Numéro 9 was designed to contribute to its efficiency (CdA = 0.61): - a rear spoiler reinforcing the fastback effect;

- windscreen pillars contributing to the air flow around the cabin;

- and ‘turbine’ wheels whose integrated fins increase the air flow around the wheel arches, thus reducing both turbulence and fuel consumption.

Plug-in hybrid technology: eco-awareness and driving sensations

With its full-hybrid plug-in technology, concept car Numéro 9 is a perfect fit with Citroën’s environmental policies.

The plug-in hybrid drive train has an electric motor on the rear axle. This simple and innovative configuration is perfectly adapted to the character of Numéro 9: it optimises handling and traction, while limiting fuel consumption and emissions.

Concept car Numéro 9 thus combines a combustion engine, petrol or diesel depending on the market, with an electric motor on the rear axle developing power of 70 bhp and torque of 200 Nm. This electric motor runs on lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged in just 3 ½ hours from a normal domestic socket. The model on display at the Beijing Motor Show is fitted with a 1.6 THP petrol engine developing 225 bhp (165 kW) for torque of 275 Nm.

With its plug-in hybrid technology, Numéro 9 respects the environment. This is particularly true in the city, where the car has a range of 50 km in all-electric ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode, and on roads demanding successive acceleration and deceleration, where the hybrid drivetrain limits consumption by using both sources of energy. On the motorway, the combustion engine takes over to deliver real performance.

Numéro 9 features new-generation micro-hybrid technology designed to switch the combustion engine to standby whenever it is not required.

No compromises have been made on driving comfort and sensations. Quite the opposite. When the driver needs speed and torque, a “boost” function links the power of the combustion engine and electric motor to enable Numéro 9 to attain high levels of performance (295 bhp), without impacting fuel consumption (1.7 l /100 km and 39 g/km de CO2). The car takes 5.4 seconds to go from 0 to 100 kph and 25.3 seconds to travel 1,000 m from a standing start.

In cases where more power is required, or when grip is lacking, the car switches to four-wheel drive mode, with the electric motor driving the rear wheels, and the combustion engine the front wheels. In particularly difficult driving conditions, driving up a sloping, snow-covered road, for example, the driver can select forced 4WD mode. The four-wheel drive system and hydraulic active suspension deliver increased traction while making full use of the potential of Numéro 9 in complete safety.

Looking beyond on-road performance and environmental benefits, this full-hybrid plug-in technology offers a third non-negligible advantage: the cabin can be prepared before the car is used. For example, it can be preheated to ensure the comfort of all the occupants as soon as they climb on board.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Dimensions

Length: 4.93 m

Width: 1.94 m

Height: 1.27 m

Wheelbase: 3 m

Weight

Total laden weight: 1,500 kg

Plug-in hybrid drivetrain

1.6 THP petrol engine developing 225 bhp (165 kW) / torque of 275 Nm

Electric motor on rear axle: power of 70 bhp / torque of 200 Nm

ZEV mode: range of 50 km