Buggy bears all to hint at C2

By Sam Hardy

16th May 2006

However, it's much more than that. Borrowing styling cues from the recent C-AirPlay concept - unveiled in Issue 887 - it offers another way for the French maker to show off the face of the forthcoming C2, which is due on sale next year.

The supermini is likely to get the same high-mounted headlights and large air intakes.

Described as a 'fun, go-anywhere type of car', the C-Buggy has a raised ride height and wide wheelarches, but no roof. Chunky tyres, a metal sump guard and roll-over hoops to protect occupants in the event of an accident give it a tough, off-road look. As with the C-AirPlay, it boasts see-through smoked glass side panels, wheels at each corner and a steeply sloping rear end.

Inside, there's a lime green interior with twin racing seats and four-point safety harnesses. Unlike the C-AirPlay - which has a one-piece silicone bench seat with moulded buttons for the SensoDrive automatic gearbox - the off-roader uses a manual transmission linked to a conventional lever.

However, the C-Buggy won't be the only Citroen making its debut in the Spanish capital. The French brand will also show off the C5's latest 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine, which employs twin turbochargers to produce 173bhp.

At the same time, the company will take the wraps off an electro-hydraulic six-speed gearbox for the C4. This set-up will feature an automated clutch.