We’ve just seen the recently debuted SURVOLT concept that was showcased in Geneva, and now the French automaker has revealed a new one called the Citroen GQ.
The Citroen GQ Concept has been developed trough a partnership with UK’s GQ men’s magazine and Mark Lloyd, tha man responsible for the Citroen DS3 who wanted to integrate the GT theme into a typical design.
The Citroen GQ Concept is a plug-in Hybrid that extracts power from a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder direct injection petrol
engine. With is kind of power-train the Citroen GQ is able to reach 60 mph from a standstill in 4.5 seconds and has a maximum speed limited to 155 mph. Despite the sporty character of the car the CItron GQ Concept has a CO2 emission figure of 80g/Km.
Citroen press release :
Citroën and GQ have revealed a unique and exciting automotive project – the GQbyCITROËN.
The GQbyCITROËN is a concept car born through a unique partnership
between the UK’s market-leading quality men’s monthly and a team of
Citroën designers, collaborating to create the ultimate gentleman’s
drive. This is the first time a British magazine has collaborated with
a car company in this way.
Responding to a brief by GQ’s editor, Dylan Jones, Citroën’s team,
headed by British designer – and the man responsible for the new
Citroën DS3 – Mark Lloyd, took a new look at the GT theme and
integrated it with a typical Citroën design approach bringing
GQbyCITROËN from design outline to concept reality.
GQbyCITROËN combines classically sophisticated features and
contemporary styling with a sculpted front end, rounded rear, strong
body contours and sleek concave rear windscreen – a signature Citroën
design.
The car’s cabin is accessed by rear coach doors and reveals a
spacious, comfortable and futuristic cabin. Completing the car’s
bespoke styling, the interior detailing and upholstery selections were
provided by Patrick Grant, the Creative Director of prestigious Savile
Row tailors, E.Tautz, who commented: “Savile Row is all about balance
and Tautz’s simple military inspired interior is the perfect
counterpoint to the Gallic flair of the exterior.”
Dylan Jones commented: “I wanted something practical, something
cool, and something idiosyncratic – i.e. something surprising that
didn’t just look like a concept car. The GQ car needed to have the
‘want’ factor, but it also needed to look, feel and ‘drive’ like the
sort of car no sane man could choose to ignore. We think it looks very
very special.”
Dynamic performance and environmental responsibility were also key
requirements for the project. The GQbyCITROËN concept car is powered by
a plug-in Hybrid with a 1,598cc, 4-cylinder direct injection petrol
engine offering a sporty 0-60mph time of just 4.5seconds, an
electronically limited top speed of 155mph and CO2 emissions of just 80g/km.
Mark Lloyd, Chief Designer of Citroën’s International Projects
added: “Where this car works so well with GQ is that it fits with the
current attitudes of conspicuous consumption. It is understated rather
than in-your-face and sleek rather than too macho. With the skills of a
Savile Row tailor on the car’s interior we have also achieved that
bespoke, fitted feel, both inside and out.
“For me, the car that has always represented the pinnacle of
automotive excellence and refinement is the GT – the Grand Tourer. It
is not the all-out sports car, rather it is something gentlemanly, it
has performance and it is for travelling, not racing. We wanted to
create something that, like GQ, was aspirational, but also retained the
classic automotive ideals. We didn’t want a car for the mass market. We
wanted a car for GQ.’”
