What's all this about?

Two bits of news rolled into one here, as Citroen has once again done that odd trick of showing a concept version of a full, production-ready vehicle at a motor show... with said full, production-ready vehicle sitting alongside the concept. Thus the SpaceTourer Hyphen is the concept car and the SpaceTourer is the new MPV from the French firm.

Why is it called the Hyphen?

Because it was developed in conjunction with a young, hip French pop group called Hyphen Hyphen, made up from a bunch of art students from Nice who are called (variously) Santa, Puss Line and Zaccharie. Oh, and Adam. These guys have attempted to make what is essentially a van with windows look super-cool.

And do the results speak for themselves?

On the outside, the SpaceTourer Hyphen has wheel arch trims, sill protectors and beefier bumpers finished in Dark Moondust with red-orange highlights. It sits on 19-inch wheels and rides higher than the regular SpaceTourer, as it also has four-wheel drive capability. The body colour is described as a 'soft, iridescent green' and it is contrasted by a gloss black roof. But that's nothing compared to the interior.

Which is...?

Finished in an array of eye-searing colours. Each of the eight seats on board has its own colour scheme, while bright red-orange features on the centre console. It's, er... certainly individual, and precisely what we'd expect from an avant-garde French music group.

What's under the bonnet?

A stonking great V8.

Really?

No, not really. It's a BlueHDi 150hp diesel engine with a six-speed manual transmission. And four-wheel drive, as already stated.

So, with all that in mind, what on Earth is a Citroen SpaceTourer?

The company's new big MPV, which really is quite van-like. But at least the French company's flair for exterior design and an attractive interior makes it appealing. The SpaceTourer will come in two guises here in the UK, called the Feel and the Business. The first is aimed at private buyers, the second at professional passenger transport (airport shuttles and so on). Either way, you can have the SpaceTourer in three sizes, which are XS, M and XL, meaning you can carry anything from five to nine passengers (eight for the Feel version).

What's it based on?

The EMP2-based modular platform, as used by the C4 Picasso and the larger Grand C4 Picasso. You'll notice the wheels of the shorter models - the XS and M, which are 4.6- and 4.95 metres long respectively - are right in the corners of the vehicle, maximising interior space. The M and XL (5.3 metres long), meanwhile, have a longer, 3.27-metre wheelbase anyway, compared to the XS's 2.92-metre affair and, as well as carrying plenty of passengers, the SpaceTourer can cart loads of up to 1,400kg, while it has a colossal boot ranging from 1,978- to 2,932 litres.

Any other neat tricks up the SpaceTourer's sleeve?

It has motorised sliding side doors, an opening rear windscreen, hands-free access (you wave your foot under the car and the driver's side sliding door opens automatically) and loads of storage compartments, as is befitting of a Citroen people carrier.

What powers it?

A range of BlueHDi engines, with low CO₂ and NOx emissions, ranging from 95- to 180hp. In XS format, that means economy as high as 55.4mpg and CO₂ as low as 133g/km. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be offered on selected models.

And both of these are going to be in Geneva?

Indeed they are. The SpaceTourer will hit showrooms later this year. The SpaceTourer Hyphen will not. Unless something truly bizarre happens...

Matt Robinson - 4 Feb 2016