Citroen’s answer to the French government’s “2l/100 km vehicle” challenge is the C4 Cactus Airflow 2L Concept that will have its world debut at the Paris auto show.
To achieve a fuel economy of 2l/100km that is the equivalent of 117.6mpg US and 141.2mpg UK, Citroen made the production C4 Cactus lighter, improved its aerodynamics and fitted the car with a PureTech 82 engine with Hybrid Air technology.
This is the same powertrain found on sister-company Peugeot’s 208 HYbrid Air 2L Demonstrator that employs a 81hp (82PS) 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine, a hydraulic pump with a compressed air energy storage unit and an epicyclic automatic transmission.
The concept can run on three different modes including Air Power when the compressed air motor drives the wheels, petrol power only, and a combination of the two units.
Citroen says the concept is 100kg (220 pounds) lighter than the already lightweight production C4 Cactus tipping the scales at 865kg (1,907 pounds). This was achieved through the replacement of many structural components with lighter materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum, high-yield steels, composite parts and translucent polycarbonate.
Optimized aerodynamics also do their part to help lower fuel consumption with special features including the redesign bumpers, wheel arches, door mirrors, under body panels, and wheels with mobile shutters activated and controlled by centrifugal force. According to Citroen, these changes result in a 20 percent improvement in aerodynamics over the standard C4 Cactus.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Unladen weight: 865kg
Length: 4,156mm
Width: 1,729mm
Height: 1,487mm (to be confirmed)
CdA: improvement around 20%
Hybrid Air drivetrain mated to the PureTech 82 S&S engine
Tyres: Michelin 155/70/R19
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