Citroën’s C-Métisse Diesel Hybrid Sports Car
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN 
on 09. 7.06
On display at this year’s International Motor Show in Paris will be a car that embodies one of our favorite propulsion combinations. Yes, the Citroën C-Métisse is an over-the-top concept car, but it’s also a diesel/electric hybrid, a powertrain we need to see more of. Ford has also whetted appetites with its Reflex diesel hybrid concept car, which debuted at the International Auto Show in Detroit this year. While no shortage of “eco” concept cars boast fuel cell innards with little articulation of what that might actually entail, diesel hybrids are a realistic and attainable prospect, and if it takes quadruple gull-wing doors to get people amped up on them, then so be it.
The C-Métisse is a four-door sports car whose front wheels are powered by a 205 hp diesel V6, and the rear by two electric motors (essentially the same as how the Reflex manages things). When the electric kicks in, the car effectively becomes four-wheel drive. Even though the car can do 0-62 mph in 6.2 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph, its makers claim it will average 42 mpg, and its particulate trap reduces pollutant emissions. The diesel is a 3.0 liter HDi, or high pressure direct injection, a motor jointly developed by PSA (mother company of Peugeot and Citroën) and Ford. The HDi claims a 20% carbon reduction over non-injection diesels, and a 30% reduction over comparable gasoline engines. The two electric motors run on centrally positioned battery packs charged by the car’s regenerative breaking. During city or low speed driving, the C-Métisse can operate in electric-only ZEV mode, while at high speeds, the electric motors kick in to provide a boost function.
Of course there is no word on bringing the C-Métisse into production, but PSA has developed two other much more realistic concept diesel hybrids, the Peugeot 307 and the Citroën C4, though these too appear to be a number of years off. The Citroën C2, which is currently on the road, is equipped with start/stop technology which claims a modest 15% consumption reduction.
While American and Japanese automakers have tended to lean towards gas/electric hybrids, the Europeans have emphasized cleaner diesels. Seeing the two come together is a happy sight. It isn’t clear how the diesel paradigm translates into American standards, however. For all the hype that Mercedes-Benz has drummed up around its Bluetec clean diesel line, five U.S. states recently deemed them still too dirty to pass muster. But as well all know, gull-wing doors have been a key that opens Americans’ hearts. Let’s just hope diesel hybrids don’t go the way of the De Lorean.
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This car is pretty smokin for a hybrid car. Most hybrids look strange to me, but by combining aesthetics and function, I think more people will be inclined to drive them. I know I would certainly drive this car with no problem!
Umm, I'd say something but I don't know if it would be exceptable...
So like Tony the Tiger
"Grrr-8!"
The MB-diesel banning is extremely frustrating. How do they expect us to reduce CO2 levels when they won't let us use the inherently more efficient engines? California has two separate eco-intended regulations that are fighting eachother.
CO2 certainly has to be reduced, but it would be a mistake to go backwards in air quality. I think it was smart to wait for low-sulfur fuel to be available and improved anti-pollution devices. It would have been smarter to make these things happen years ago, but it's a bit too late for that.
42 mpg for diesel is pretty crap mileage.
Not for a car that large.
I read someplace that it only weighs 1400kg. If so, then yeah 42mpg isn't great.
Dam I live in California Please let this come here to U.S.
this is definitely an amazing machine, the looks are exotic, i would want one for myself too. Hats Off to the person who came up with the design
Omg 0_o This definately is a great machine! The 42mpg coverage is great! especially for a car this size and with this performance. I actually didn't see someone mentioning the Hydraulic suspension or the Advanced particle filter (FAP) It meets the requirements of the euro 8 standard of co2 emission which is pretty good!
Has anyone ever drove in a Citroen with this type of suspension ? Once you drive one you never want something else. It is really comfy, like a flying carpet.
that car is sexie every one should get one
hay hay hay this car is bitchen i love it and it rocks i have it in hot pink cause i am a rich bitch a
Well...I hear that they will begin allowing New diesel engins to be sold in 2008/2009 in california. Also this is a great car because we can fuel it up with BIODIESEL!!!!
Anonymou its not true its comforbal we used to have one with that cind suspention and its ok but u will see in europe people dont look at Citroën's they are looking nice but tha engen is mest up like they braik fast like audi and thats sucks only 42 mpg i will reder take a mercedes bence disel or a lexus 600 hybrid and its more comforebal and more milles eill drive
damn this car is gay we used to have a car with same suspention when we lived in germanyt and it hade problems after another and we sold it and i would never buy a sheat like that citroen is prity fast i agrry but when it coms to comfort and other stuff its not true its almost like a civic or a corola in us ofcorse its better than american cars cuz in europe people tought american cars a good but when the bought tham they did not know what to do with tham cuz they never swa a pieace of garbegi like american cars this is true go and look on enternet and u will see i will never changy any car for my countrys cars or japans cars
I'm surprised at all the hype about the design. if it looked like total crap, but was 1000% better for the environment than a Ferrari, most people would be STUPID ENOUGH to still buy a Ferrari.