Paris Motor Show LIVE: Citroen C4 Aircross SUV and Citroen Numero 9 concept car

Citroen entered the compact SUV market this year with the C4 Aircross, a result of the cooperation between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi.

The car is built on the same platform as the Mitsubishi ASX and Peugeot 4008. Citroen says the C4 Aircross combines the grip of an off-roader with the ride and driveability of a saloon. The car is available with either two- or four-wheel drive versions, depending on the engine.

Citroen C4 Aircross is powered by three diesels and two petrol engines. The 1.6 liter HDi has either 110 or 150 horsepower (270 Nm), while the 1.8-liter unit delivers 148 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. Petrol lovers can chose from the 1.6i which is delivering 114 horsepower and 152 Nm of torque, or the 2.0i with 150 horsepower, the latter being sold only in markets outside Europe.

Citroen also showcases in Paris the spectacular Numero 9 Concept, a showcar which previews a new executive sedan that will go on sale in China and is likely to be called DS9. The Numero 9 sits on 21-inch wheels and is only 1.27 meters tall.

Like most of Citroën’s concepts of the recent past, the Numéro 9 packs an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain, which promises a combined fuel economy of up to 138 mpg but without giving up on performance. A 52kW/200Nm rear axle-mounted electric motor and a 165kW/275Nm petrol engine will help the vehicle to hit 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds.

In addition, the battery can be recharged from a standard power socket in 3.5 hours, allowing the Numero 9 concept to operate in all-electric rear-wheel-drive mode for up to 50km. When grip is lacking, the car switches to all-wheel drive mode with the electric motor driving the rear wheels and the combustion engine powering the front wheels.