Continuing its conceptual-car onslaught, Citroën has released details and teaser photos of a new limousine study called the 'Metropolis'. Created by Citroën's international design team that is based in Shanghai since 2008, the show car will be unveiled at next month's Shanghai World Fair on May 1.
Said to pay homage to China's "extraordinary development", the Metropolis is an imposing limo that measures 5.3m in length, 2.0m in width and 1.4m in height, meaning its larger than the long wheel-base version of the new Audi A8.
The Metropolis' exterior design is clearly inspired the French firm's well received "GTbyCitroën" concept supercar, blending taut lines with smooth surfaces.
The four-door saloon with the suicide-style rear doors makes use of a hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.0-liter engine and a 7-speed, dual-clutch electronic gearbox, with an electric motor.
At low speeds, Metropolis runs in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mode, with its electric motor developing a continuous 55bhp (40kW), peaking at 95bhp (70kW) when necessary.
Citroen says that while coasting on the highway, the V6 powerplant delivers 272bhp (200kW) and 375Nm of torque, but when additional performance is required, the car uses both the electric motor and the combustion engine to deliver a maximum power output of 460bhp (345kW) and 430Nm of torque.
Since the numbers don't add up, we're assuming that in this case, the V6 uses some sort of overboost function.
There's also a four-wheel drive mode for when extra grip is needed.
According to the French automaker, while the car's performance is equivalent to a vehicle fitted with 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, CO2 emissions are just 70g/km.
