Citroen Hypnos concept - the car in tune with your emotions
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 02 October 2008
The Citroen Hypnos concept has made its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show.
The Hypnos is designed to show off Citroen's hybrid technology and future design language in the shape of an SUV sports coupe
Powered by Citroën’s all-new diesel hybrid drivetrain, HYmotion4, the Hypnos offers over 200bhp of power and returns over 60mpg.
The Hypnos is Citroen's effort at making the ultimate driver- and passenger-friendly vehicle, including a face-recognition system that adjusts the cabin environment to its occupant’s emotions, massaging seats, thermo-sensitive ambient lighting, a faceless clock and diamond-shaped instrument clusters.
A floating roof, rear-hinged back doors and cargo tailgate adding functionality to the Hypnos’s SUV characteristics.
Inside the cabin it's more a case of Nauseous than Hypnos, with multi-coloured leather and brushed aluminium trim adorning dash and 'morphologically-sculpted' seats that can be inflated and deflated to give occupants upper and lower back massages.
The body-hugging seats are positioned either side of a central console based on a DNA double helix configuration. Still with us? The console allows individual passengers to set air control and other settings to their space.
The driver’s instrument cluster is seen through diamond-like prisms, incorporating a touch screen into the middle of the console.
Most impressive of all, a ceiling-mounted camera films the driver’s face and regularly measures anthropometric data to gauge emotions. Why? SO it can automatically adjust cabin lighting and fragrance accordingly to calm you down.
The Citroen Hypnos also features an onboard clock designed by artist Michel Serviteur. The timepiece changes colour depending on the light at different times of the day and emits a succession of rhythmic colour pulses like a breathing organism.
The Hypnos' four-wheel drive system combines a 200bhp 2.0-litre HDi engine with Diesel Particulate Filter with a six-speed Electronic Gearbox System.
The engine drives the front wheels while an axle-mounted electric motor drives the rear wheels, offering an affordable hybrid solution, according to Citroen.
62mph takes 'around nine seconds', while the Hypnos returns 63mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 120g/km, or zero emissions while driving in electric mode. WHere more power is required the diesel engine kicks in to boost acceleration.
The Hypnos is also equipped with Stop & Start technology, which also powers the electric motor when the vehicle is in 4x4 mode. When faced with difficult driving conditions the Hypnos switches to four-wheel drive mode to boost grip and handling.
Citroen’s self-levelling suspension is included to ensure a balance between passenger comfort and driving manners.
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