When it comes to the unveiling of futuristic concept cars, Citroen’s motor show track record is hard to beat.

And the firm has just taken the wraps off yet another crowd-stunner at the Frankfurt, Germany, Motor Show.

The C-Cactus – named after the desert plant because it is so low on consumption – is the French firm’s imaginative and ingenious eco-friendly concept that has a lot more going for it than just dramatic design.

The diesel-electric concept’s claimed overall 97.4mpg – a staggering figure – is at the core of this bold and ultra eco-friendly family-sized machine, combining a 70bhp diesel unit with a 30bhp electric motor.

Top speed has been capped at 93mph to further frugality, and CO2 emissions are a maximum 78g/km, although it can of course, run in zero emissions mode.

The shape is more than just an eye-catcher, too. A new approach to overall styling has helped keep projected production costs down so that, should it make it on to the streets in the near future, the C-Cactus could be sold for a similar cost as a conventional car – hybrids are currently far more expensive than conventional counterparts.

Citroen’s engineers have achieved this by streamlining the number of parts required, incorporated several functions into a single part, and removed features that are non-essential to the running of the car or to the comfort and safety of the occupants.

Big 21-inch wheels do more than simply add to the contemporary look of the car, they are large-diameter and have low-profile tyres help to cut ground friction area and boost fuel efficiency.

By Motoring Editor Sharon Walters

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