Of all the cars on display in Hall 1 today, few got more attention from show goers than Citroen's luscious C-Metisse. It would be an interesting car if were no more than a study for future design directions, but the C-Metisse is actually an exhibit for Citroen's efforts in the area of diesel hybrid technology.
The car has a 208-hp turbodiesel V6 engine (equipped with particulate filters) that powers the front wheels with the help of a six-speed automatic transmission. It also has an electric motor mounted in each rear wheel, and on its own each motor is capable of 20 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque...
We've previously noted that mounting electric motors within a vehicle's wheels seems like a not-so-good idea because of the unsprung weight issue it creates. However, Citroen claims that because these motors are in the rear, they help distribute the C-Metisse's weight. Additionally, with its carbon construction, the car only weighs about 3,100 lbs despite the fact that it's about 15 feet long.
Add a comment