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This crossover coupé-SUV develops themes from the C-Metisse concept shown at Paris two years ago and adds some creative new ingredients for Citroën design language. The front and rear ends continue the vertical blade inlets seen previously, combined with boomerang-shaped lights and 22" Montupet polished alloy wheels.
The side view is characterized by a pronounced undercut directly below the beltline, offset with a complimentary lightcatcher in the lower door area with large chrome ‘sabre' decoration. Talking to CDN, head of Citroën concept cars Carlo Bonzanigo explained his aim to add more 3D form rather than simply 2D graphics on surfaces. "For example, the chevron logo at both front and rear ends has more section in it than before and the lower chevron feeds out to frame the rear air outlet". While the general surface treatment of the car is fresh, some designers we spoke to felt the multiple layers and the level of detailing were too busy and detracted from the overall design.
The interior by designers Leanne Earley and Francois Duris is remarkable for its originality of forms and the extremely complex interplay of 3D shapes, 2D graphics and use of light. From two meters away, it's very difficult to figure out whether the rainbow seat colors are simply achieved using light or else are embedded in a new material. In fact it's laquer sprayed directly on the in-situ leather, supported by projected light from the roof. The dominant theme is the four deep shell-like seats in a staggered configuration and the colored controls that swivel out of the spiral theme on the center console. Overall, there's a wealth of new thinking on this car that's very refreshing and clearly makes the Hypnos a contender for Star of the Show.
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Design Review: Citroën C-Metisse (2006)
One of the emerging themes in the last two years has been the appearance of the low-slung 4-door supercar, for example the Aston Martin Rapide, the forthcoming Lagonda sedan, Porsche Panamera, Fisker Karma - and the new Lamborghini. Peugeot is no stranger to this format and the RC HYmotion 4 builds on previous concepts such as the 908RC and 907RC Spade and Diamond series from 2002.
There are two interesting sidelines here: Firstly, this is the first - and now last - showcar done under the leadership of recently-departed design chief Jerôme Gallix. Secondly, just as 907 RC previewed the design theme of the 407 sedan, this RC HYmotion 4 is rumoured to preview design ideas for the new 408 sedan due next year. As such, that bodes well for the 408, not least because the rear end treatment here has a number of novel ideas, including two vertical ribs running through the neon taillamps and the ‘lion of Belfort' emblem sitting in a recessed pocket above the number plate recess.
The front face is a progression of that on the 907RC Spade and 908RC with the upper grille and Peugeot lion emblem pushed down into the lower vertical mouth but adds an Audi R8 look to the front end, partly due to the headlamp shape but also the way the fenders develop into the hood. Interestingly, the front lower ‘grilles' are actually recessed dark panels, and the main air inlets for this mid-engined car are formed by scoops in the rear doors and the glass panorama roof. The concept was finished in a matt silver paint which was a great improvement on the black color shown in preview images.
The concept of a touring car coupé with high performance and low C02 emissions of 109g/km is achieved with a 1.6 liter petrol engine developing 218 bhp, supplemented by a 54bhp front-mounted electric motor using Li-Ion batteries.
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Peugeot 908RC - Paris 2006
Car Design News has previously noted how the ‘sports shooting brake' appears to be undergoing something of a revival recently in concept cars and here we see the latest Mercedes-Benz offering on this body format. In the flesh this is a handsome, if somewhat orthodox, design that previews some elements of the next E-Class and CLK due to be released next year and finished in an elegant champagne body color that suits the car very well indeed.
The side view has three notable characteristics. The long, frameless, DLO describes a continuous arc from front to rear, uninterrupted by a B-pillar and with all three glasses dropping completely into the bodyside, leaving a completely open side window. There is also a ‘vortex line' above the rear wheelarch that wraps around below the tailgate glass and ties the rear end together in a neat visual way. Finally, there is a satisfying indexing of the slim chrome body protector strip continuing forward of the front wheelarch and wrapping around into a pronounced vee-formed front end. Here, the four rhomboid headlamps hint at the new E-Class, with some nice detailing evident too, including a string of LEDS behind the headlamp glass, together with an interesting texture in the lower grille, with four bars that curl down at the ends.
The interior appears to be production-ready and is likely to be that of the forthcoming E-Class. The color and trim is said to be inspired by the world of equestrianism: light ivory Alcantara is used extensively, matched with the upper IP and door insert in a dark saddle brown color and finished off with mid-tone matt wood inserts. Materials such as wood, aluminium and smoked glass are extended into the trunk, which incorporates a refrigerated compartment and a humidor as well as offering a pratical load space for a sports coupe.
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Design Review: Renaissance of the Shooting Brake
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