First look: Hypnos heralds Citroen’s diesel-hybrid

CITROEN has revealed what it describes as an elegant crossover concept that will make its global debut at the Paris motor show on October 2.

Look beyond the Hypnos show car’s sleek five-door “coupe” styling, however, and it becomes apparent that the French maker is in fact heralding the diesel-electric hybrid drive system that it has already promised will reach production in 2009.

Citroen has previously announced it will release diesel hybrid versions of every model in its range by 2015, and it’s our bet they will be powered by variations of the diesel-electric system that motivates the Hypnos.

Citroen’s second-generation C5 sedan and Tourer range, launched in Australia this week, is the most likely candidate to receive the oil-burning hybrid powertrain first.

Australian Citroen importer Ateco Automotive says the chances of seeing a diesel-hybrid Citroen on local roads are good, if a high pricetag doesn’t limit its appeal here.

“If the price is right, then we’d look at it because there is clearly a niche in the Australian market for such products,” said Ateco public relations manager Edward Rowe.

If Citroen’s claim that the Hypnos combines “the vitality of a coupe with the elegance of a saloon and the space of an SUV” doesn’t excite you, then perhaps the combination of 147kW of power, fuel consumption of 4.5L/100km and 120g/km of CO2 emissions will.