Are my eyes deceiving me, or is that a modern-day CX?

We're with you on this one: it's a modern-day CX. At least, we hope it is. This is the Citroen Cxperience Concept and it cannot be coincidence that the two letters bolded up in the giant hatchback's name are 'CX'. Also, it has a concave rear windscreen, hydraulic suspension and a single-spoke steering wheel. Permit us to make a Homer Simpson drooling noise, if you will.

Permission granted. What else can you tell me about it?

At 4.85 metres long, two metres wide and with a three-metre wheelbase, this is a big, luxury machine. The 'progressive hydraulic cushion advanced module' suspension is supposed to isolate occupants from any of the nasty discomforts of the outside world (lumps and bumps in the road included) while the interior is all about the company's 'Be Different, Feel Good' ethos. It's also part of Citroen's Advanced Comfort programme and the company says its hatchback body style marks 'a new offensive in brand strategy'.

I like the exterior lights. Are they LEDs?

Yes, the daytime running lamps fashioned into two chevrons at the front in order to reinforce the company's logo in your mind, while the directional LED headlights are clustered in two sets of three, their layout again echoing the V motif. As do the rear lamps, although these 3D items are illuminated by laser fibre optics.

Snazzy. But is it going to be powered by dull old four-pot petrol and diesel engines?

Unlikely, as the show car is a petrol-electric hybrid, with a 200hp combustion engine augmented by an 80kW electric motor (109hp, or thereabouts) for a total output of 300hp. It has a 37-mile fully electric range and its battery can be recharged in as little as two-and-a-half hours on a 6.6kW connection. With an eight-speed automatic gearbox providing the drive, in essence this silky and partially silent drivetrain should suit the extreme comfort ethos of the Cxperience perfectly.

So will Citroen make it?

It seems as though something will go into production, possibly with the CX badge revived for the 21st century. This concept car has been revealed a month ahead of its full debut in Paris, where we'll find out more about it. In the meantime, cross everything and pray for the French firm to see sense and greenlight production... we'll have a 2018 CX Turbo 2, please.

Matt Robinson - 30 Aug 2016