Citroen is plugging...

Citroen is plugging into hybrid technology for its new C-Crosser, and it hopes the car will have such low CO2 emissions, it will change the public view of off-roaders.

Due on sale this summer, the C-Crosser will be the firm"s first SUV. It could become Citroen"s first dual-fuel model, too, although the hybrid HDi version probably won"t hit showrooms until 2008 at the earliest.

Citroen concept chief Emmanuel Lafaury said: "We are doing a lot of research into hybrid technology because we think it"s ideal for off-road vehicles. There"s room to put the electric engine in the back and it"s a good solution for 4x4s in the future. It proves to people that, just because a car can go anywhere, it doesn"t have to be dirty or harmful to the environment."

Parent company PSA is already well advanced in its development of the diesel hybrid powertrains for smaller cars, and has built an off-road vehicle using an adaptation of the system.

The six-wheel Cruise Crosser pick-up - seen at March"s Geneva Motor Show, and driven this week on Page 26 - borrows heavily from Citroen"s new production SUV, and uses a 20kW electric motor to drive its rearmost axle. This works in conjunction with a 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine.

Meanwhile, Honda is set to launch two hybrids in 2009. UK boss Ken Keir confirmed there will be a new petrol-electric family saloon. Although an Accord successor will also be unveiled that year, Honda sources say the new hybrid will be a smaller car, to replace the current Civic IMA.

The second model will be an affordable coupé. It will be a spiritual successor to the CR-X of the Nineties and, according to Keir, will resemble the REMIX concept revealed at last year"s Los Angeles Motor Show.