Citroen SURVOLT Concept Wows Geneva

 Citroen SURVOLT Concept Wows Geneva
Citroen SURVOLT concept live in Geneva 02.03.2010

Citroen's latest concept car, the Survolt, is an unusual design study meant to show off a potential all-electric performance vehicle in an extravagant and "high-fashion" package.  The new concept was unveiled today at the Geneva Motor Show.

Performance specs were not revealed on the two-seater, but the French automaker does state that the car has a "motor racing punch."  No specific details were given about the car's all-electric drivetrain, but it is said to be an evolution of the Citroen Revolte concept seen last year in Frankfurt.  The Revolte is a hybrid model able to run as an all-electric using a rechargeable battery and small internal combustion engine.

As such, one wonders why engineers would make such a heavy use of honeycomb grilles.  Additionally, there seems to be little purpose to the roof-mounted air intake, but again few details were revealed.

Its design was meant to convey an aerodynamic look combining "flowing lines [that] convey agility, precision and vitality - with a powerful, muscular character contained in its refined and luxurious frame," according to a press release.  The supermini measures in at 3.85-meters long by 1.87-meters wide, making it 65mm longer and 150mm wider than the Lotus Exige S.  It stands rather short at 1.2-meters high, which is taller than the Exige, but shorter than the Audi TT.

Exterior touches on the charcoal, fuchsia, and yellow car include LED lighting at the front, an awkward oval-shaped grille, rear spoiler, and the same rear lighting as the Revolte.  A long windshield gives the appearance of added space inside.


Citroën has revealed an electrifying new model at the Geneva Motor Show - the sensational SURVOLT concept.

A blend of high-fashion, extravagance and more than a hint of motor racing punch, SURVOLT takes the essence of Citroën’s REVOLTE concept - performance, cutting-edge technology and luxury - and adds an assertive sporting dimension into the mix.

A new breed of stylish, sporty and elegant supermini, SURVOLT bucks current trends and points towards the future of sleek coupés - combining elegance, sophisticated style and sporting passion.  Clearly ahead of its time, SURVOLT also captivates the imagination with its innovative, environmentally-conscious all-electric drivetrain, which delivers driving pleasure, thrills and performance - all in virtual silence.

With a sleek, compact and low-slung frame - 3.85m long, 1.87m wide & 1.2m high - SURVOLT takes inspiration from sports car styling, then casts convention aside to form an entirely new and revolutionary concept design.  SURVOLT’s aerodynamic, flowing lines convey agility, precision and vitality - with a powerful, muscular character contained in its refined and luxurious frame.

Both charming and profound, SURVOLT’s distinctive profile features a voluptuous bonnet and generous, sculpted flanks highlighted by emphatic wheel arches.  The front end is characterised by slim, horizontal headlights, a large oval-shaped grille with Citroën’s integrated double chevrons and an eye-catching vehicle badge design.  The striking LED clusters also add a contemporary, high-tech flourish.  At the rear, SURVOLT inherits the elegant light signature of the REVOLTE concept and gains a new spoiler - an essential reference to motor sport.

An evolution of REVOLTE’s distinctive colour palette, SURVOLT’s two-tone paintwork features shades of fuchsia and charcoal grey.  The concept’s elegant curves, shifting from satin-smooth to shiny, are a clear departure from the classically masculine design codes of the sports car world and the use of chrome and aluminium throughout simultaneously references the worlds of luxury and motor racing.

Resembling a piece of fashionable jewellery, SURVOLT’s two-occupant cockpit is designed like a glass setting between the chrome-finished roll bars.  The generous glazed area brings a sensation of light and space, which sets SURVOLT apart from many contemporary sports cars with their confined and gloomy cabin environments.

Citroën’s new and radical vision with SURVOLT is entirely consistent with the Company’s 90-years of history as an innovative brand, focused on creativity and technology.

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 Aleksi Aleksi
Woah, that's cool! Although, if it makes in to production, they need to tone it down, but just a little. Citroën has really started making cool cars.
March 2, 2010 9:45 am
 cata cata
Maaaan, Citroen is making cool concepts or what! I always look at theese daring cool concepts from diferent automakers and I ask why, oh why doesn't anybody at Subaru paying atention to the beautifull, bold and dynamic lines of design like this one! WHYYY?
March 2, 2010 9:54 am
 quattrosport quattrosport
I didn’t realize we were already the 1st of April ...
March 2, 2010 10:08 am
 pawelblue pawelblue
Mon Dieu !!! it is really cool..!!! this would be the first small dream car..!!
March 2, 2010 10:31 am
 chris25 chris25
The design is too complicated, I can't make out the frontend design & the rear wing. It has got some design like 599 gtb C pillar & VW bettle.
March 2, 2010 10:51 am
 charlemagne charlemagne
typically french: great concepts, poor mass production vehicles.
March 2, 2010 11:19 am
 dmanero dmanero
What the hell happened to Citroen, well what ever it is I love it. Finally, The GT and now this Survolt. Simply amazing.
March 2, 2010 11:27 am
 Mikeado Mikeado
Looks like something you'd find on the streets of Halo: ODST rather than those of Paris or Monte Carlo. It's a Citroen GT-R that turns into a VW Beetle racer at the rear, via the unusual C-Pillar off the Toyota FT-HS from a few years back. I'll stick with GTbyCITROEN, thanks.
March 2, 2010 11:33 am
 Xenicide Xenicide
Front looks more like the Aston Martin One77. Beautiful concept though.
March 2, 2010 11:59 am
 Renegade Renegade
Sick...
March 2, 2010 12:16 pm
 ivanporcalla ivanporcalla
Crazy looking car! (in a good way) I like the new design language of Citroen.
March 2, 2010 12:28 pm
 xLumino xLumino
don't know why comparing to so many cars. this is unique. I can't see a defining structure in this design, but it's very brave styled. kind of cool ;)
March 2, 2010 2:47 pm
 Horniss Horniss
futuristic..
March 2, 2010 5:41 pm
 carbonfibreguy carbonfibreguy
This looks like it was just driven off the Halo 3 ODST game screen or something. But seriously, this thing looks sick. Designers at Citroen, AMAZING job! Especially with the GTbyCitroen concept!
March 2, 2010 10:02 pm
 Garais87 Garais87
Citroen and Peugeot is worlds worst cars at the moment, most faults found on new cars, and thats mean that doesn't realy meters how they looks, still worst..... but looks really good this one :)
March 3, 2010 3:01 pm
 Kid_Voltron Kid_Voltron
Just comment about the car instead of feeding us your inacurate perceptions about the marques...if you want to comment about quality, bring stats and testimonies and disclose as well...no one want's to hear your sorry inaccuracies...please...the reason you are viewing this page is beacause you wanted to see this car not rant about what company has the poorest qualities and so forth, by the way I've had a Pegueot for 5 years now and NEVER EVER been stuck or had faults with my car...I've never beem towed off....and I know a lot of people who never complain about their Peugeots or Citroens for that matter...
March 8, 2010 2:19 am