Parisian delights

The concept vehicles at September's Paris Motor Show ranged from futuristic, over-the-top dream machines with diesel hybrid power to fuel-efficient small cars with high-end interiors.

Door-opening mechanisms continue to intrigue concept-car designers. Gull-wing and scissor-action types appear at motor shows year after year, but almost none make it to production. This year, Citroën had both systems on its high-performance C-Métisse concept. Although the company calls it “out of this world,” Citroën invariably uses some elements of its concepts as indicators of future production applications.

Theoretical performance figures combine a 250-km/h (155-mph) top speed with overall emissions of 174 g/km. These are thanks to its diesel-hybrid powertrain that includes a 150-kW (201 -hp) HDi V6 engine and two electric motors positioned within the rear wheels (to provide all-wheel drive) that can generate an additional combined 400 Nm (295 lb ft) and some 30 kW. They also engage in low-adhesion conditions. Performance estimates include a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 6.2 s with 80-120 km/h (50-75 mph) achieved in 4.2 s. The engine drives through an automatic six-speed gearbox. The concept has an in-city zero emissions mode and is fitted with a diesel particulate filter.