Citroen C-Metisse concept
This is a flamboyant showcar in the traditional sense, with dramatic proportions, advanced technology (hybrid diesel powertrain) and an interior full of new ideas. The exterior, led by designer Gilles Vidal, takes the typical Citroen stance of long hood, long wheelbase and short tail and pushes it to the extreme. Some designers we spoke to compared it to the Mazda Senku concept of 2005, which also made a reappearance on Mazda's neighbouring stand. The exterior develops the theme of 'kinked' feature lines that Citroen have been employing since the AirDream concept four years ago and which we're now seeing on production models such as C4, C6 and new C4 Picasso. The rear end has references to the C6 sedan with an arched rear window and taillamps, while the roof has a prominent dip in the center with high mounted DI lamps in the corners of the roof - like a DS. Meanwhile, the very fast wraparound visor screen keeps the upper body graphics clean, allowing the bright red body color and chrome accents to work to best effect.
The door system reminds one of the lovely Activa concept of 1988. Front gullwing doors are combined with rear butterfly type doors that open on a helical axle to move them outboard of the wide rear wheel. The aircraft style cockpit features four individual white leather bucket seats with visible structural frames. Neat touches include the drivers headrest suspended from the center spine in the roof and a bespoke luggage bag stored in the front kickplate area, accessed when the doors are opened. There's a real sense of purpose to this car, demonstrating a wealth of experimental ideas that fit well to Citroen as a brand.
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Renault Twingo concept
The original Renault Twingo of 1992 was the first Renault designed from start to finish under the then still new Director of Design, Patrick le Quement. Speaking with Car Design News last year he said it remains one of the designs he is most proud of. It was a radical design in many ways; a monospace shape, an exceptionally spacious package born of long wheel base and minimal overhangs (and the monospace shape) and a 'cute' but simple aesthetic. And the car went on to be a tremendous sales success and prompted other brands such as Ford and Volkswagen to produce 'sub-B' class small cars.
The Twingo Concept that debuted yesterday at the Paris motor show is a show car preview of long awaited Twingo replacement due next year. And what is most significant about its design is that it is more of a repost to the Citroen C2 than a development of the original Twingo concept. The core design identity is, like the C2, a youthful and sporting small hatchback with prominent wheel arches, an aggressive down-road-graphic and distinct two box profile. Arguably there is some of the original's simplicity in the forms of the larger surfaces of the car and the overall calmness and resolution of the exterior form, but otherwise it is very different. Inside (where the production car will differ substantially) there is an analogue dial in place of the original's digital speedometer at the centre of the dashboard, a minimalist IP and centre console form, and a single piece plastic mouldings that floats in the centre of the doors with a soft blue backlight - so simple and pure and yet also cheap to produce...
Unquestionably well resolved and a logical theme to take, but the Twingo Concept also shows how Renault are now content to follow where once they led.
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Nissan Qashqai
This is probably the most significant production debut here at Paris Show. More than two years ago at Geneva, Nissan showed the Qashqai concept and announced it was seeking a new format of C-Segment car to replace the mainstream Almera hatchback. Considering that C-Segment is the biggest sub-sector in Europe these were brave words indeed and many doubted whether Nissan would really commit to it. Well, this is the result. Pronounced 'cash-kai', Nissan describes it as 'a passenger car with SUV attributes' and the aim is to combat the fragmenting of the sector with a fresh product to appeal to mainstream family buyers, typically male, in their late forties.
Sizewise, it's the same as a Ford Focus, smaller than a typical compact SUV (CR-V, Freelander, X-Trail) and more masculine than a compact MPV such as a Scenic, Picasso or Zafira. However, Nissan aren't alone in targeting this concept: earlier this year we saw the launch of the Fiat Sedici and Suzuki SX-4 which, in terms of both concept and exterior style, are quite similar to the Qashqai, while Renault's Koleos concept is clearly previewing a Renault version off the same platform.
Qashqai is also significant as it's the first full programme to be led by Nissan Design Europe (NDE) in London. The exterior combines elements of the Murano from rear three-quarter but with some subtle surfacing, such as twin power domes in the hood or the hard shoulderline that feeds into the rear lamps. Because of Nissan's presence in the marketplace, Qashqai is likely to set the format for this new breed of car and, judging by the number of executives from rival companies on the stand, everybody will be watching this one very closely. Sales start in February 2007.
Dimensions: Length 4310mm, width 1780mm, height 1610 mm, wheelbase 2630mm.
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