The Citroen Metropolis luxury saloon has been unveiled at the Shanghai Expo.
The Metropolis, which is bigger than a long-wheelbase S-class or A8 L at 5.3m long, and as wide as a Maybach 62, at two metres, could open up an entirely new market for the French manufacturer.
See the Citroen Metropolis pictures
China is the second biggest market globally for Citroën, and it’s a market that likes its large luxury saloons. BMW is unveiling a long-wheelbase 5-series at the Beijing show this week, and VW will show its facelifted Phaeton.
The Metropolis is the first car to be styled and developed by the PSA Group’s Shanghai design studio. It builds on the themes established by the Hypnos concept, using a full-width Citroën double chevron in the grille, the same upright intakes ahead of the front wheels and even near-identical door mirrors. The complex turbine-style wheels are 21-inchers, with 265/35 tyres.
Underneath the Metropolis is a modified version of on the PSA Group’s Platform 3, which is used in cars such as the Citroën C6 and Peugeot 407. Both Peugeot and Citroën build Platform 3 cars in China in a joint venture with local manufacturer Dongfeng Auto.
The Metropolis uses a hybrid drivetrain, combining a 2.0-litre V6 petrol engine with an electric motor that can increase its output from 55bhp to 95bhp when needed.
The engine produces 272bhp and 277lb ft, but using the motor’s overboost function, the two are capable of increasing the combined output to 460bhp and 317lb ft. The transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, with four-wheel drive.
Citroen claims performance matches that of a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine but CO2 emissions are just 70g/km.
Dan Stevens
Follow us on FacebookSee all the latest Citroen reviews, news and video
Join the debate
Add your comment
Re: Citroen Metropolis launched
If this model, even if only with half of the tech, were available in a few months it would blow the Germans (and everyone else, for that matter), clear out of the water, just like the DS did back in the 50's.
Citroën, get going and don't forget to offer a 5-metre SWB version for us cramped Europeans!
Re: Citroen Metropolis launched
Agreed.
And, ironically, I think it looks a lot more like a Peugeot than a Citroen (Chevron grill aside!).
Re: Citroen Metropolis launched
How does 272bhp from the engine and 95bhp from the electric motor give a total of 460bhp? And if I'm not mistaken, you can't just add up the outputs in hybrid systems. Even Lexus don't claim 460bhp total for their LS600h with its 5 litre V8 and bigger battery system.
But I do love the styling!