If you are not familiar with Citroën's long history, you will most likely find the Tubik as another concept model with an overly futuristic design language.
But the truth is that the French automaker blooked into its past for inspiration as the Tubik pays homage to Citroën's iconic 1939 Tub van and its replacement, the 1948 Type H that was produced for more than three decades.
Citroën described the Tubik as a "high-tech executive shuttle". The van measures 4.80m long, 2.08m wide and 2.05m tall, and is big enough to carry up to nine passengers who are accommodated in three separate rows of adjustable seats plus an individual seat for the driver.
Up front, the first row of seats lets two people sit facing the road or facing towards the rear. At the back, the middle row can seat up to three people or, alternatively, it can be converted into a small table, be folded onto the last row to free up an area of almost two-square meters, or be folded out completely to create a meridienne style coach.
The Tubik runs on the PSA Peugeot-Citroën group's new Hybrid4 full-hybrid diesel powertrain that combines a front-mounted diesel engine driving the front-wheels and an electric motor that motivates the rear axle.
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Birthdays are special occasions – even more so if it's your 125th. For most people, reaching such an age is unlikely, but for Mercedes-Benz it is a fact this year and to celebrate the event, the German automaker unveiled a gullwing concept named -not too imaginatively- F 125! at the Frankfurt Motor Show.The F 125! is a plug-in hybrid that demonstrates Mercedes’ vision for a large luxury coupe of the not-so-far future. The company claims that while its previous research vehicles have “looked ahead” by one model generation or approximately seven to eight years, the F 125! concept“looks” much further, by more than two generations, beyond 2025.“With the F 125! we want to show that large, comfortable and safe saloons have an excellent future, partly because they are able to operate with no emissions" says Mercedes’ head of Research and Development, Thomas Weber. "The legend is that the S-Class will continue into the future thanks to intelligent solutions.”The F 125! utilizes a lithium-sulphur high-voltage and high energy density (350 Wh per kg at cell level) battery that powers four individual electric motors, one for each wheel, creating an all-wheel drive system that Mercedes names e4MATIC.The car's hydrogen tank is integrated into the floor assembly and has a capacity of 7.5 kg. It can withstand pressure of up to 700 bars and offers a driving range of 1,000 km (622 miles).According to Mercedes, the F 125! doesn’t sacrifice performance either, as it can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph).The bodywork is made of a mix of fibre-reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, aluminium and high-strength steel, resulting in great rigidity but with a significant weight reduction compared to a regular vehicle of this size.Inside, Mercedes-Benz's designers wanted to create a cabin with which the driver will be able to interact intuitively. Tech highlights include 3D displays, projector-beam technology, next-generation networked telematics system with social media integration and remote control of vehicle functions., and of course, a semi-autonomous driving via the Advanced Driving System.PHOTO GALLERY
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