What if...

Magpi · Post by **Magpi** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:42 pm

looks like a bx version of the cx hearse (cx estate)

Magpi · Post by **Magpi** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:47 pm

ok i know its a xantia
but
it look smore liek a subaru forester than a citroen

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:17 pm

Magpi wrote:

looks like a bx version of the cx hearse (cx estate)

Yes, that rear end treatment - without the elevated, glazed roof side panels (which are obviously hearse-like) - might've worked OK on the production BX break/estate instead of the compromised rear (due to the slope of the rear) that we ended up with.

Note the black BX behind. If I'm right it's a BX4TC (production model). I thought they only came in white.

I have looked again at the MPV - let's call it the 'Monospace' - it's raised up so here's one on 'normal' setting: (also note that front end treatment illustrated on the Heuliez design website is NOT the one on this prototype: I wonder what the front of this looked like):

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:45 pm

That Heuliez website is very interesting. Shame the company has now shafted itself - they were last making the Tigra which proved very unprofitable. Maybe all those BX prototypes drained the coffers too! I think the newly bought out Heuliez will be making electric micro cars.

I was fantasising that this was perhaps my yellow BX break in the picture which was originally white when it came from Heuliez. Where are they all now? Little cubes?

I've also got these extra seats that fit in the boot and some bad 80s casual wear and a Casio digital watch too!

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 5:54 pm

Philip Chidlow wrote: Note the black BX behind. If I'm right it's a BX4TC (production model). I thought they only came in white.

Why do you think its a 4TC Phil? If its the wheels, then are they not just CX wheels? It looks to be missing the 4TC body kit at the rear, its hard to tell if the bonnet is extended, but that said it would only take a body shop to make a white one black? I've seen Deloreans in everything from red to black and they all left the factory in, erm, stainless.

I've never seen that BX 'Hearse' before

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:18 pm

Re: Black 4TC
This is the same car in these pics, possibly?

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 6:19 pm

I wonder where all these prototypes are?

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:22 pm

Thats deffinately a 4TC alright. I suspect it might have been a Heuliez styling prototype. I think all these pics (with years on the registration plate) are in the Heuliez private museum, possibly in Renes?

Magpi · Post by **Magpi** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:39 pm

Philip Chidlow wrote:

is it just me or does it look like they cut two cars at the B pilar and then stuck the two odd parts together
even looks like its sagging at the B pilar

almost as ugly as a tarago

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:32 pm

Magpi wrote:ok i know its a xantia
but
it look smore liek a subaru forester than a citroen

That's fucking ace, apart from the grille. And the fact it's a Xantia.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:55 am

Magpi wrote:even looks like its sagging at the B pilar

almost as ugly as a tarago

The Tarago was the name given to the TownAce wasn't it?

Anyway, I think (once the design was developed and finalised*) the BX Monospace could've looked no more or less attractive than the original Renault Espace.

*The line of the front doors would need altering in my view, although on the estate, that downwards curve is 'dealt with' stylistically, (helped by the use of the same rear doors as the saloon). In the MPV's case - with it's specifically designed and larger rear doors, that would've been harder to do. As you say, it seems to 'sag' and that is mostly due to the door line along with the estate-like roof 'step'. An interesting exercise though.

Interestingly: Why wasn't the BX Monospace produced? Well this could give an idea:

"The Espace was originally intended to be sold as a Talbot, and to be a replacement for the Matra Rancho leisure activity vehicle. Early prototypes used Simca parts, and hence featured a grille reminiscent of the Simca 1307 (Chrysler Alpine).

In 1978, before the Espace went into production, Chrysler UK and Simca were sold to the French company PSA Peugeot Citroën (PSA), and the Espace design was given to Matra.

PSA decided the Espace was too expensive and too risky a design to put into production, and Matra took their idea to Renault (PSA finally ventured into the minivan sector eleven years later with the Citroën Evasion/Peugeot 806).

The Matra concept became the Renault Espace....

The Espace was launched by Renault in 1984. After a very slow start — a grand total of nine Espaces were sold in the first month after launch[3] — customers warmed to the benefits of the MPV concept and the Espace became very popular." Wikipedia

Tourist · Post by **Tourist** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:28 pm

http://www.citroenet.org.uk/prototypes/ ... ro-04.html

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:48 pm

Whoah, arrgh! Gandini might well have a fit!

Tourist · Post by **Tourist** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 2:49 pm

Found this! OK so it's not really a concept but ...

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 4:22 pm

A ZX with a 306 front end??