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Global Viewpoints
Citroen Pluriel
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Citroen seems to be re-acquiring its innovative design flair. At the Frankfurt Motor Show, it showed the Pluriel concept. It is described as a research prototype, but indications at Frankfurt were that it is a serious project and could point the way to a production car. It can become a convertible, open-top leisure vehicle, or a Spider pickup, according to Citroen. In fact it has introduced a new and unlikely bodyshell category, the "sedan convertible," a car with essentially a full-length sunroof (similar to the old 2CV and Dyane) that can fold back to the rear-window area. The roof can also be folded into a false floor in the trunk. In addition, its cant-rails can be removed and the rear seats folded into the floor to create what Citroen terms a Spider pick-up. The Pluriel is fitted with Michelin PAX vertically anchored tires. By the time of the Frankfurt Show, Citroen had already unveiled the C3 Lumiere and C6 Lignage concepts (previously described by AEI) that are further serious indicators of future Citroen models. Citroen technology also embraces active suspension control; direct voice input for control of radio, CD player, and satellite navigation systems; and infrared applications for safer driving in low-vision environments.
Stuart Birch
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