Don’t expect to see this one coming to the states! The Citroen C-Cactus concept is truly remarkable and just a little weird. Designed to embody simplicity, the C-Cactus has an 'appealing, modern and upbeat' design, while through the combination of rounded and slightly angular forms; the car also has a muscular, energetic touch. The little hatchback is round and compact, perfect for European city streets but not necessarily the US. However several features of the C-Cactus are applicable on both sides of the pond.
The C-Cactus is made mostly of recycled materials and weighs a measly 2,600lbs, making it an eco-friendly ride. It gets about 69mpg with its small but gutsy 100HP diesel hybrid engine, and it has the potential as most diesels do to run on biofuels. A lot of interesting design and engineering went into the C-Cactus, with some unexpected results.
The steering wheel, for example, houses the AC, Cruise Controls, lights, wipers, and houses a navigation screen! Makes you wonder what they’ll put on the dash. The C-Cactus attempts to minimize its ecological footprint by using less materials and less energy to manufacture, which resulted in some strange but functional design aspects engineered fro efficiency. For example, the front and rear bumpers are mirrors of each other, the only difference being in the color of the tail lights vs. the headlights.
Frameless windows and a large panoramic glass roof give the interior a roomy feel and help minimize blind spots and the amount of metal used. Don’t think this makes the C-Cactus a deathtrap though; its main pillars and roof supports act as a roll cage in the event of an accident. Keeping in the spirit of “less is more”, the doors are made of only two pieces, unlike the usual 12 used in other car doors. The car looks friendly, with its white and black neutral paintjob and pale green interior consoles that are a constant theme throughout.
Moreover, the interior of the car has been created by removing material. This idea of decorating "in a vacuum" is reflected in the patterns present on the door panels and seat frames. The patterns cut-out in the door panels show the apple green felt inserted between panel and metal. The main role of this part is to soundproof the vehicle, but its color and cut-outs make it an integral part of the décor. The front doors open normally, while the rear doors open suicide style and have a pillar-less center, providing a cavernous maw in which to enter the compact little hatchback. Now if only they’d send one here.
