2010 Citroen DS High Rider Concept
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HDi DPFS diesel |
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(from Citroen Press
Release) DS HIGH RIDER: Taking dynamics into a new
dimension
Citroën created a stir in February 2009 with the announcement of a
new line of distinctive products, the DS line. The new line-up
reflected one of the facets of what is a true reinvention of the
Marque, symbolised in its new tagline, “Créative Technologie”.
Rounding out the main CITROËN range, the DS line features products
with more radical design choices aimed at customers looking for
stand-out styling, architecture, driving feel and refinement.
Just one year after this major event, and with the DS3 now on show
in CITROËN showrooms, the Marque is taking a new step in the
evocation of the DS line with the DS High Rider. The new concept car
embodies a contemporary vision of dynamics with compact design as a
fundamental value. It opens the way to new vehicle uses, new
motoring pleasure, and an innovative technological approach founded
on a Full Hybrid 4 drivetrain.
The DS line moves forward into a new universe
With DS High Rider, Citroën is clearly remaining faithful to the philosophy behind the DS line, namely products with bold choices in terms both of styling and architecture.
Without reneging on the charms of conventional coupés, CITROËN has discovered new ways of expressing automotive vitality with this new creation – less restrictive and exclusive and more adapted to today’s driving conditions, while boasting a renewed sense of driving pleasure.
Unlike regular 4-seater
coupés that are long and low-slung, DS High Rider places the
emphasis on muscular compact design. The body styling combined with
the height of the car underline the compactness of the whole, in
turn strengthening the dynamic feel.
Behind the wheel, this promise of vitality is delivered in the shape
of a unique driving experience based on a blend of the following:
Design embodying a new vision
Because it takes its
inspiration directly from the values it vehicles, the styling of DS
High Rider eschews all clichés in favour of an all-new, radically
modern and inherently elegant shape. DS High Rider does not attempt
to express vitality or versatility; rather, its body styling is a
lively and pure reflection of these qualities.
DS High Rider is an object of desire that stands apart through its
coherent design, that of a “beautiful automobile” placing the
emphasis on harmonious forms through sensual and physically-present
design that avoids caricature. Raised ground clearance and the
strong on-road presence of the 19-inch diamond-effect alloy wheels
structure the car’s proportions and make a defining contribution to
DS High Rider’s character. The priority focus on authentically
elegant forms also served to avoid the generic effects often used to
typecast vehicles. The wheel arches and the forms of the car,
particularly the flanks, are enough in themselves to express the
robustness and protective character of the concept car. Components
such as the front and rear bumpers, while also expressing vitality
and agility, are perfectly integrated in the body styling and
underline the overall harmony.
A handsome automobile and a good-looking coupé, DS High Rider also
has an exclusive and elegant edge, with the beauty of its lines
underlined by touches of contemporary luxury. Perfectly matching the
all-new, sensual Golden Gloss body paint chosen for the initial
manifestation of DS High Rider, the smoked chrome surrounds on the
side windows accentuate their distinctive shape and literally
highlight them. This lighting effect is also at play on the front
and rear ends in the form of lamp and position light surrounds.
An animate object with a unique personality, DS High Rider is all
CITROËN. It is instantly recognisable as such from the double
chevron in the centre of the front end through to the compact and
taut styling at the rear.
All-new, agile and attractive
DS High Rider brings a
dynamic edge to versatility with a good dose of agility. Straight
off, it comes across as a coupé redolent of movement with tightly
drawn proportions. A coupé that reassures the onlooker with its
subtly muscular character, one that refrains from outrageous
aggression. Ground clearance is raised, giving drivers a commanding
view of the road and traffic. The feeling of safety and protection
is strong, but devoid of arrogance or brutality. Neither does it
give the impression of taking up an exaggerated amount of space in
the street, especially considering the car’s interior volume. DS
High Rider is roughly as long as the C4, and boasts a similarly
spacious cabin.
The elegance-laced practicality of DS High Rider also hints at other
pleasures, such as the textile-covered roof suggesting a top-down
position.
DS High Rider’s evident agility and its ability to break free of
restrictions are naturally reflected in the Full Hybrid 4 drivetrain
combining:
This set-up combines dynamic performance with environmental protection. The Full Hybrid 4 system balances the frugality of a latest-generation diesel engine with zero-emission electric mode, continuously switching between or combining the two engines. When drivers have to accelerate fast, the electric motor instantly adds its torque to that of the HDi diesel powerplant. In addition, this torque is transmitted to the rear wheels, effectively providing four-wheel drive grip and total control – and sublimating DS High Rider’s dynamic qualities.