New Citroen Cactus concept makes its debut

A new Citroen Cactus concept car has been revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2013, with a simple look and a number of mechanical innovations. It's not a real production model at this stage but we expect it to turn into a brand new model in the Citroen range in 2014.

This small family car is a preview of the upcoming range of Citroen ‘C’ range of cars, and it’s likely that there will be a production version with toned-down styling coming in early 2014. It's likely to be called the Citroen C4 Cactus, and will be part of the C4 range, offering a simple and efficient design to family car buyers.

From the outside, the Citroen Cactus has been styled with functionality in mind and in addition to pearl white colouring it also features innovative side panels with air capsules that protect the car against scratches while driving around town.

The wheel arches and roof rails have been finished in contrasting black, and due to its high ride height the Citroen Cactus is able to cope with uneven roads and speed bumps. Additionally, this concept car features the split front headlamps that were also used in the new Citroen C4 Picasso.

The contemporary interior has been designed to provide more space and comfort for all four occupants and features a large panoramic roof which allows a lot of sunlight into the car. Materials such as cotton and leather are used throughout, including on the steering wheel, seats and door handles. The interior also features plenty of storage space and an inventive passenger airbag placed in the ceiling.

All instruments and controls in the Citroen Cactus have been replaced with their digital equivalents. There are no control buttons – instead, there’s an eight-inch touch screen that provides access to all functions of the car including air-conditioning and sat-nav. Additionally, in place of a conventional dashboard, the concept features a seven-inch screen that displays the car and engine status.

Under its bonnet, the Citroen Cactus uses a number of mechanical innovations, including combining a conventional engine with a system that uses compressed air and hydraulics to deliver improved fuel economy - in excess of 94mpg - and to ensure low road tax costs.

Although we don’t know what the production version of the Citroen Cactus will look like, this concept is a look towards their goal of introducing a new line of basic and more affordable models providing strong practicality and good value for money.

For the full Citroen range, visit the CarBuyer Citroen reviews page.