Citroen shows off 141mpg C4 Cactus concept

• Citroën has revealed its answer to the French government’s 141mpg challenge with a new concept car based on the C4 Cactus.
• The C4 Cactus Airflow 2L is capable of returning “over” 141mpg, says Citroën, and weighs just 865kg – 100kg less than the standard Cactus. The car will receive its public debut at the Paris motor show next month.

• Power for the concept comes from a Hybrid Air powertrain – of the same type used by the Peugeot 2008 Hybrid Air prototype.A prototype of the technology was shown on a Citroën C3 concept car at the Geneva motor show last year.
• The powertrain comprises a 3-cylinder 1.2-litre Puretech 81bhp petrol engine - already available as part of the Cactus range - plus a hydraulic pump and air storage tank mounted at the rear of the car. An epicyclic transmission is also used. 

• Aside from the obvious economy advantages of using this hybrid setup, Peugeot says it has also reduced frictional losses inside the 1.2-litre Puretech engine thanks to a new internal coating and by using low-viscosity oil.
• Three driving modes can be selected, with two utilizing either air or petrol power exclusively, and the third using a combination of the two.
• Sitting on new 19-inch low rolling resistance tyres developed by Michelin, the C4 Cactus Airflow 2L concept features lightweight materials including aluminium and steel, while carbon fibre features on the Cactus’ ‘Airbump’ panels.

• Standard lighting clusters have been replaced by LED units, while a new lengthened spoiler features alongside a rear-mounted air extractor, plus force-activated shutters on the alloy wheels to reduce air flow.
• In terms of performance, Citroën says the Hybrid Air-powered Cactus is close to the Puretech 110-powered model. That means a 0-62mph sprint time of around 9.5 seconds, plus a top speed of close to 120mph.
• The concept answers a challenge set by the French government to put a vehicle capable of returning 141mpg into production by 2020. 
• Other vehicles revealed to answer the challenge include Renault’s Eolab concept – which is claimed to be capable of returning 262mpg – and Peugeot’s 208 Hybrid Air. All three cars will be seen at the Paris motor show next month.