15 September 2011 GAZETTE 19
Tubik is Citroen’s new comfort MPV
CITROEN will show off its new, highly innovative concept van-type vehicle at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Called Tubik, this is designed to be a high-tech executive shuttle based on one key idea – that travel should be fun. The Tubik design has been inspired by Citroen’s Type H or ‘TUB’ van, but with all the styling and characteristics of modern Citroen design, Tubik is a nine-seater packed with entertaining technology. This striking van design boasts offbeat, distinctive styling with colours and materials designed to meet the highest standards of sophistication and comfort. To make travel enjoyable for its passengers, Tubik incorporates a lounge-style cocoon dedicated to comfort and relaxation. The modular seats are designed to be arranged in many
different ways (semireclined, face-to-face, etc.). Citroen claims that the onboard technology, which includes a giant semi-circular screen and high-definition surround sound, turns the cabin into an area that is perfect for sharing over long distances.
Nissan will be offering a new 1.6 litre turbo-diesel in the Qashqai models to improve fuel economy with a Stop/Start option due in 2012
A Pure Drive with the latest Qashqai option
Aerodynamics
This Tubik concept is powered by Citroen’s new Hybrid4 technology. With this full-hybrid diesel drive and optimised aerodynamics, Citroen claims that the Tubik maintains CO2 emissions at a level comparable to a conventional saloon. The full-hybrid diesel drive also offers more range than a stand-alone internal combustion engine and maximises traction in four wheeldrive mode. The front wheels are driven by the diesel engine and the rear wheels by the elec-
The new Citroen Tubik concept car shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show is designed as the ultimate in terms of people carrier design
tric motor. The 22-inch wheels feature deep, narrow, very low-rolling resistance tyres to further help optimise fuel consumption. At 4.80m long, 2.08m wide and 2.05m tall, Tubik is big enough to carry up to nine passengers. The front end, which stands
apart from the main body, brings to mind the corrugated metal of the Type H van with its distinctive ribbing, while the windscreen pillars are reminiscent of the Type H’s two characteristic ridges. To make the Tubik look even more protective,
Citroen’s designers have combined two contrasting colours. The metallic grey of the body shell enveloping the pearlescent white at either end marks the position of the diesel engine (at the front) and electric motor (at the rear) used by the full-hybrid diesel drive.
Peugeot teams up with IFA THE IFA Member Services and Peugeot will launch a new partnership on the occasion of the 80th National Ploughing Championships, Athy on September 20-22. To celebrate the new venture, the IFA is launching a Peugeot 508 giveaway, to the value of €24,850, at the Ploughing Championships, details of which can be sought at both the IFA and the Peugeot stand. T h e I FA / P e u g e o t partnership will bring to fruition many motoring benefits to IFA members, of which there are currently 87,000 in Ireland. Effective from November 1, 2011, IFA members will enjoy excellent value service offers from Peugeot. They will be eligible to join the IFA Peugeot Service Club, offering
John Bryan, President of the Irish Farmers’ Association, Des Cannon, Peugeot Sales & Marketing Director, JJ Kavanagh, IFA National Treasurer and George Harbourne, Peugeot Managing Director.
every fourth service for free. A €250 rebate will be paid to IFA members on new Peugeot vehicle registration. George Harbourne, Peugeot managing director said: “Peugeot has a very natural affiliation with Ireland’s farming
community and the IFA, thanks to our strong diesel heritage. “We are very excited about this partnership and we very much look forward to working with the IFA in the coming years to make sure it is a success for Peugeot Ire-
land, The IFA and IFA members.” John Bryan, president of the Irish Farmers’ Association said: “IFA is delighted to announce this partnership with Peugeot. “We are committed to delivering the best range
of deals through our Member Services division, and the tie-up with Peugeot will bring added benefits to the existing package. “I expect there will be strong interest at Ploughing, given the superb prize on offer.”
NISSAN has developed a new Pure Drive version of the top-selling Qashqai, which produces just 129g/km of CO2 with a fuel consumption of 20.km/litre (4.9l/100km). This latest Qashqai is powered by a new 1.6litre diesel engine that claims to deliver strong fuel economy and low emissions, but which has the same levels of torque and top speed as the 2.0-litre dCi engine it replaces. Peak power from the new engine is 130bhp, which is backed by a torque figure of 320Nm, available from as low as 1,750 rpm. And this is just the start. Early next year, a version of the model will be launched with Nissan’s Stop/Start System, which will help to reduce CO2 emissions still further to a 119 g/km and 22km/ litre (4.5l/100km) of fuel consumption. To add to the new items of equipment including, for the first time on a C-segment car, Nissan will be offering the Around View Monitor (AVM) system. More usually found on luxury cars, AVM uses a series of small cameras located on the exterior of the vehicle to make parking and manoeuvring as safe as possible by giving the driver a real-time bird’s eye view of the environment around the car. A new CVT gearbox
will also be available on 1.6-litre petrol models to bring further drive options to the range. The Pure Drive designation is given to every Nissan product that emits 130g/km of CO2 or less. On its introduction, the “cut off” point was 140g, but, as part of the Nissan Green Programme, membership of this exclusive club gets tougher all the time. The programme calls for a further drop to 120g in 2013.