Metropolis makes its debut at Beijing

Citröen has unveiled the concept limousine that the brand will be presenting at this year’s Auto China Show, in Beijing. The Metropolis was developed at the brands design centre based in Shanghai since 2008.

The Metropolis is a limousine with a sports design and soft lines and was developed according to the current market demand in China for this kind of vehicle. Created by the design team of Shanghai’s design centre it intends to honor the development of the country. Besides the presence in the Auto Show in Beijing, the Metropolis will also be exposed at the French pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai from the 1st of May to the 31 of October.

The name and the design of the Metropolis limousine concept make reference to the size, the avant-garde and the dynamism of the world’s megalopolis.

So that it is up to green issues of modern life the Metropolis received a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The concept is powered by a 2.0 V6 petrol engine, fitted with a 7-speed, dual-clutch electronic gearbox, delivering 272bhp (200kW) and 375Nm of torque. Combined with the electric motor the Metropolis has a maximum output of 460bhp (345kW) and 430Nm of torque.

The Metropolis makes part of Citroën’s strategy to grow in the Chinese market that has become since 2009 the world’s biggest car market. In 2009 and after 20 years of presence in the Chinese market, Citröen had the best result in deliveries with 165.000 units being sold. The French brand wants to continue its progress in China and to do so it is planning to be present in 230 cities by the end of the year, with the selling points also growing up to 200.