Photo: autoevolution
Thank god Citroen still has crazy designers... and engineers too. Otherwise we wouldn’t be here today talking about the C4 Cactus Airflow 2L concept that made its debut at the Paris Motor Show 2014. It’s funky, compact and occasionally drives on air. But that’s not all...
The C4 Cactus that’s on sale now is already a very light vehicle, managing to cope with tiny three-cylinder engines quite well. Still, the engineers thought to go after the Volkswagen XL1 and make an even more economic Cactus.
So, they started with shaving another 100 kilograms (220 lb) and fit the lower bumper with active aero elements to reduce drag. The same thing has been applied to the wheels, them too having shutters to reduce air turbulences when they spin.
Side mirrors? You won’t need them if you want to cut through the air like a knife. That’s why they were replaced with cameras that face backwards and feed the image on a display for the driver.
Powering the Cactus Airflow is an all-new type of hybrid system which surprisingly, or not, revolves around the same lexical field as the concept’s name. It combines a VTi gasoline engine with an air compressor/pump. When you decelerate, the system stores compressed air in two tanks that look like frankfurters, located under the trunk. Then, when you need power, the air returns into the compressor and powers the wheels.
It’s an interesting concept that ditches the need of expensive and heavy batteries, while still being simple and reliable. We’re looking forward to see a French car hissing it’s way out of a parking space soon.
Isn’t it wonderful how the industry ended up now, judging on the fact that 50 years ago people were strongly believing cars will be nuclear powered, or at least have a jet engine?
So, they started with shaving another 100 kilograms (220 lb) and fit the lower bumper with active aero elements to reduce drag. The same thing has been applied to the wheels, them too having shutters to reduce air turbulences when they spin.
Side mirrors? You won’t need them if you want to cut through the air like a knife. That’s why they were replaced with cameras that face backwards and feed the image on a display for the driver.
Powering the Cactus Airflow is an all-new type of hybrid system which surprisingly, or not, revolves around the same lexical field as the concept’s name. It combines a VTi gasoline engine with an air compressor/pump. When you decelerate, the system stores compressed air in two tanks that look like frankfurters, located under the trunk. Then, when you need power, the air returns into the compressor and powers the wheels.
It’s an interesting concept that ditches the need of expensive and heavy batteries, while still being simple and reliable. We’re looking forward to see a French car hissing it’s way out of a parking space soon.
Isn’t it wonderful how the industry ended up now, judging on the fact that 50 years ago people were strongly believing cars will be nuclear powered, or at least have a jet engine?
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