What's the news?
This is the Citroen SpaceTourer 4x4 E Concept, due to take up some space on Citroen's Geneva Motor Show stand. It's a rougher, tougher off-roading version of the company's clever big MPV and it might even make it into production, given the current climate of high customer demand for crossovers.
With camouflage-style paint, snow chains on the tyres, a raised ride height and more rugged underbody skid-plate protection at the front and rear, the 4x4 E Concept is a striking-looking thing. The white paint is bespoke to this Swiss-bound Space Tourer and touches of red highlight various features on the car. Like the regular MPV, the idea would be for the 4x4 E Concept to be offered in various body sizes - XS, M and XL - and the model you're looking at here is the XS, measuring 4.6 metres long and 1.9 metres tall.
Inside, the cabin takes colour inspiration from the 'E' lifestyle range that Citroen debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2016, a collection which features a red, white and blue scheme (this can be seen on the seatbelts and Cactus-esque suitcase-inspired door pulls); however, in the show car, we've got white leather on the upper parts of the seats and then a mottled grey Alcantara/leather combination on the lower portions. The Advanced Comfort programme sees big, comfy chairs fitted to the Space Tourer, while a panoramic roof above lets light flood into the cabin. Although the Citroen can accommodate up to nine people on-board, this show car is configured for only five passengers. Finally, the lifestyle 'E' logo is embossed into the front-seat head restraints as a reminder of the SpaceTourer's special status.
This model has 60mm more ground clearance than a regular SpaceTourer and it's powered by the BlueHDi 150hp turbodiesel engine, coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox. The selectable 4x4 transmission underneath is produced by French all-terrain specialist company Automobiles Dangel, which has long collaborated with the PSA Group and its predecessors - look up Peugeot 505 Dangel if you've got a moment, to see what we mean.
The SpaceTourer 4x4 E also benefits from various connectivity and comfort technologies, such as 3D Citroen Connect Nav on a seven-inch touchscreen, Mirror Screen to replicate smartphone apps on the infotainment, a head-up display for the driver, a 'Top Rear Vision' camera with a 180-degree view of the rear of the MPV, Blind-Spot Monitoring, a speed limiter with Road Sign Recognition, automatic main beam, a Lane Departure Warning System, Active Safety Brake, Collision Risk Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control. Phew! That's a long list of kit.
Anything else?
Citroen says the SpaceTourer 4x4 E Concept is both a 'bold expression' of the brand's current 'Be Different, Feel Good' motto, as well as a 'stylish, practical and contemporary mode of transport for the modern-day adventurer'. Catch it at Geneva in early March.