Presented in 2002, C-Airdream tested the architecture and equipment of the future C4. © Citroën
The Peugeot RC carreau concept car. © Peugeot
Style drawing of Citroën’s C-Airlounge. © Citroën
Peugeot H2O illustrated Group research on fuel cells. © Peugeot
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Article
Concept cars, dreams of the future
Concept cars are made for many reasons. Some may herald future production models or showcase new technologies, while others may simply be objects of fascination. But they all share the same ambition: to give us a preview of tomorrow’s cars while also inspiring a sense of wonder. Join us as we retrace the history of Peugeot and Citroën concept cars.
New vehicle design demands major technological and stylistic research right from the start. From the sixties and seventies, this research was increasingly applied to concept cars as well as to production models. Designed to be shown at international motor shows, concept cars are one-off vehicles embodying the manufacturer's know-how, creativity and values. They became communication tools in their own right, playing a crucial role in promoting the image, renown and likeability of the brand.
Concept cars become driveable
In the early eighties, concept cars became a major attraction on Peugeot and Citroën stands. Static concepts gave way to driveable vehicles, able to take to the road. This meant that engineers and journalists were able to test the cars’ qualities in real driving conditions. The success of Peugeot and Citroën concept cars encouraged both makes to give them more and more space on their stands. The Paris, Geneva and Frankfurt motor shows became key events for the styling, innovation and research teams of both brands, each of which presents between two and four concept cars a year.
A multi-purpose object
The concept cars created by Peugeot and Citroën over the last 20 years illustrate the many facets of this type of model. Concept vehicles can act as “teasers” for future production models, allowing the brand to gauge the reactions of the media and the general public. The 1994 Citroën Xanae, precursor of the Xsara Picasso, is an excellent example of this, as is the 1998 Peugeot Oxia, which offered a glimpse of the future styling of the 605.
Innovation is a core concept in vehicle design at PSA Peugeot Citroën. The concept cars of both brands are an ideal way to showcase the Group’s latest technological developments. Peugeot’s Taxi PAC (2001) and H2O (2002) were designed to present Group research on fuel cells, while Citroën’s C-Airdream (2002) explored new avenues in architecture and equipment – including the multi-functional fixed-centred controls steering wheel now fitted on the C4.
Freed from most of the economic and technical constraints of production models, designers can think outside the box and give free rein to their imagination and creativity. One of the best examples of this are the “showcars”, which aim to achieve a strong emotional impact through their styling or technology. The Peugeot 907 succeeded on both of these counts, creating a huge wave of interest when it was unveiled at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, and again at the Frankfurt show a year later.
[12/08/2005]
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