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Future Mover


Future Mover

Author: Isaac BoberDate: 8 September 2011
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Citroen is hoping to put the fun back into functional and make every journey an, ahem, pleasure. What you’re feasting your eyes on is the Citroen Tubik and it’s designed to be a high-tech, high comfort, highly functional executive shuttle that is shared, intelligent, connected and eco friendly.

The Citroen Tubik had its genesis in the Citroen Multicity, an online portal that provides transport solutions by seamlessly bringing together all available means of transport from push bikes, through cars and trains to planes. The idea is that if you wish to travel from A to B, you log on and the system provides a complete travel solution from your front door right to your destination. But there was a gap. A vehicle was needed that was more than a taxi, more flexible than a limousine and as much fun as a trip to beach. The Citroen Tubik is the solution. Its flexible interiors means it can carry a group of people or a single person and their luggage; the seats can fold down as a bed or swing around for a meeting; entertainment units fold from the roof and privacy is guaranteed.

The design lines of Tubik are a nod to the Citroen TUB (from the French acronym for Traction Utilitaire du type B) and its ingenious upgrade, the Citroen Type H, whose versatility and style made it a best-seller half a million units in 34 years on the market. Sporting a similar body shape to its illustrious predecessor, Tubik is big enough (2.08m wide, 2.05m tall, 4.80m long) to carry up to nine passengers.

The front-end, which stands apart from the main body, brings to mind the corrugated metal of the Citroen Type H with its ribbing, while the windscreen pillars are reminiscent of the Type H’s two characteristic ridges.

To make Tubik look even more protective, Citroen designers combined two contrasting colours: the metal grey of the body shell envelops the pearlescent white at either end, marking the position of the combustion engine (at the front) and electric motor (at the rear) used by the full-hybrid diesel drive train.

The full-hybrid diesel drive train increases vehicle range over an internal combustion engine and also maximises traction with its four-wheel drive mode (the front wheels being driven by the combustion engine and the rear wheels by the electric motor).

With its simple but attractive exterior, the large two-way panoramic window and two large doors giving access to the driving position and living area are barely visible. The driver’s door is rear opening while the side door runs in a circle to free up the entire side of the vehicle.

And as journeys generally involve luggage, the rear end conceals a cleverly designed boot.

 

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