Citroen will launch a revolutionary new suspension system in 2017, with CEO Linda Jackson saying it will prioritise ride comfort without compromising body control.
The new suspension system will replace the hydropneumatic set-up that is utilised on the Citroen C5 at present, and will eventually be rolled out across the entire Citroen range.
“Comfort is a core value of the Citroen brand, and this is ours way to recreate the benefits of the hydropneumatic set-up in a more modern, more appropriate way,” said Jackson.
Although Jackson declined to go in to specifics on how the system will work, she revealed Citroen engineers had been working on it in conjunction with a supplier for some time. Jackson would not be drawn on whether it would utlise an air system, or if it would be self-levelling.
However, despite the boss of Citroen’s upmarket DS brand, Yves Bonnefont, previously saying that his firm was investigating a similar suspension system, Jackson claimed the technology would be available on Citroen cars only.
“I can guarantee it will be unique to Citroen,” she said. “We have the opportunity to pick new technologies for the future and I am sure this one is best suited to Citroen's core values. I believe I can promise you this will be a Citroen-only system."
Jackson also reasserted her intention to reduce the number of Citroen bodystyles on sale by half. At present, she says there are 14 available, plus the Citroen C1, which is co-developed with Peugeot and Toyota. In future, she wants to offer seven body styles, plus the C1. Long-wheelbase vehicles, typically developed specifically for the Chinese market, will also be made in addition to these.
Despite the reduction in Citroen's model range, Jackson hopes to grow sales by 15% by 2020, to around 1.6m cars a year.
