Citroen is unveiling a minibus concept called the Tubik that the company says is aiming at putting the fun back into travel.

The Tubik is a "high-tech executive shuttle" that can carry up to nine passengers, and takes its inspiration from the classic Citroen Type H and TUB vans made for forty years from 1939 onwards.

A flexible interior arrangement means that the seats can be laid out in a variety of ways, with a large, upwards-sliding side door that allows access to the back and a generous luggage area.

The rear section, with Citroen calls the 'living area', features a series of alternative materials, such as felt seats, silken backrests and door panels, and a leather floor. Meanwhile the rear windows are all one-way privacy glass, allowing passengers to see out without people looking in.

The first row of seats can face forwards or be swivelled around to face the other occupants, while the middle row can either be used conventionally to seat three, be folded flat to make a table, be pushed onto the third row to create a large open area or be folded out to create a reclined seat.



The technology under the bonnet is a hybrid diesel engine like in the 3008 people carrier, but the passengers enjoy a lot more in the way of high-tech equipment. The driver is identified by a fingerprint recognition system, while Tubik also features reversing and rear-view cameras.

Citroen says the emissions levels of the Tubik are close to a convention saloon, despite its 4.80m length, 2.08m width and 2.05m height and 22-inch alloy wheels.