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The 2003 Citroën C-Airlounge Concept, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, introduced a revolutionary approach to stylish grand touring with its aerodynamic design and innovative interior lighting system. With a drag coefficient of just 0.26, the C-Airlounge showcased that practicality and aerodynamics could coexist harmoniously, offering both sleek aesthetics and impressive efficiency.
Featuring a dynamic exterior design highlighted by a V-shaped bonnet, wide air intakes, and clear-cut headlamps, the C-Airlounge exuded both purity and strength. Its fluid yet dynamic profile, emphasized by a chrome strip raising the waistline and the absence of central pillars, revealed a spacious passenger compartment flooded with natural light, enhancing the sense of onboard space.
Underneath its elegant exterior, extensive aerodynamic studies resulted in a Cd of 0.26, achieved through the implementation of four air-flow control systems. These included Blade Vortex Generators, wheel fairings, and air ducts between the front end and wheel arches, optimizing vehicle stability, acoustic comfort, fuel consumption, and pollutant emissions.
Powered by a 3.0i V6 engine producing 152 kW (210 bhp), coupled with an automatic auto-adaptive gearbox, the C-Airlounge offered exceptional driving pleasure and safety. Its Hydractive 3 suspension, with two settings for comfort or sport, automatically adjusted vehicle height based on speed and road surface, ensuring optimal roadholding and comfort.
The interior of the C-Airlounge was a masterpiece of design and functionality, featuring premium-quality materials and advanced technology. The minimalist yet sophisticated cabin offered high-comfort individual seats upholstered in white satin-finish leather, complemented by scrolled armrests and a panoramic sunroof, creating an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
The innovative interior lighting system allowed passengers to customize the mood of the cabin through fiber optics and video projectors, transforming the ambiance from pure and zen-like to baroque and luxurious. Modular seating configurations provided flexibility, accommodating either four or five occupants, while advanced technology, including tablet PCs and a short-range wireless network, ensured connectivity and entertainment for all passengers.
Overall, the Citroën C-Airlounge Concept represented a new era in automotive design and technology, blending aerodynamic efficiency with luxurious comfort and advanced connectivity, redefining the concept of on-board living for the modern traveler.
