The new compact SUV from Citroen, the C4 Aircross, seems to have all it takes to be successful in one of the most competitive segments of the market. After its official launch at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the model will hit the showrooms by the beginning of the summer in both front- and all- wheel drive configurations, and the ‘buzz’ it has generated on the internet is indeed quite promising.

The engine range of the Citroen C4 Aircross include 3 units, all of which will come with start-stop system and Euro5 homologation. There will be a 1.6-litre with direct injection producing 115 hp with 152 Nm of peak torque; a 1.6 HDi delivering 115 hp and 270 Nm coupled with a 6-speed gearbox and a 1.8 HDi credited with an output of 150 hp with 300 Nm of maximum torque. The first one is the ‘greener’ option of the lot, with just 119 g/km of CO2 emissions, but it is also the only one that will be available with the front-wheel drive configuration only. Besides, a 2.0-litre unit with direct injection homologated for the Euro4 standards will also be made available outside Europe. This engine is produces an output of 150 hp with 198 Nm of peak torque and can be coupled to either a 5-speed manual or a CVT gearbox.

The C4 Aircross measures 4.34 meters in length, 1.8 meters in width and 1.63 meters in height, and has a boot capacity of 442 litres. Inside, the model offers good cabin space which has been designed to accommodate 4-5 people and to provide them all with the same kind of comfort of a saloon car. Standard equipment include Navidrive sat-nav with touch-screen, rear view camera, Keyless Access & Start and a pretty nice Rockford sound system.

View the full Foto della Citroen C4 Aircross photo gallery

New official videos dedicated to the Citroen DS5 HYbrid4, which represents the cutting edge of the French D-segment range: under the hood is a full-hybrid solution that combines a 4-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine with a permanent magnet synchronous motor located on the rear axle developing 37 hp.

The result is 200 hp of total power, an original four wheel drive system, the ability to travel 100% electric mode. Not to mention the great flexibility provided by the combination internal combustion/electric and its environmental credentials, well summarised in the data reported by the brand: 99 g/km of CO2, 3.8 l/100 km on the combined cycle.

View the full Citroen DS5 Hybrid4 gallery

Citroen has begun testing the next C4 Picasso on the road, as these spy shots demonstrate. The current incarnation of the popular C-segment MPV from the French carmaker has been around since 2006, so it is definitely the right time for a new version of this model. The new C4 Picasso will surely retain some of the most distinctive features of the outgoing model such as the small side windows behind the A-pillars, but it is also expected to mark a significant step forward

If someone is thinking that the design of the pictured mule looks too “normal” to be a Citroen, then it might be useful to remember that the C-models - such as the C3 and C4 - are getting a more and more conventional look, while the DS-models are the ones that are carrying on the “fancy Citroen look” tradition.

The next Citroen C4 Picasso should come with an engine range made of supercharged but economical petrol and diesel engines, with an hybrid powertrain (developed on the HYbrid4 platform) that will also join the fold at a later time. The second generation of the C4 should make its debut this fall in both its ‘regular’ and ‘Grand’ configurations (the latter is the one with 7 seats).>

A member of the Automobile Magazine website took some pictures of the new Citroen saloon, known as DS9, spotted during a photoshoot at Place de la Concorde in Paris. The French flagship model was previously anticipated by some partial or blurred images and will be extending the DS range, giving continuity to a project launched by the DS3 and developed by the DS4 and DS5. The car is characterised by a 2 n a half box body type and an extremely original outline, even more daring than the unconventional Metropolis: the Double Chevron designers have eliminated the third box, and designed a new front. No details about the engine have been released yet, although the grille covered in transparent material suggests the presence of an electric motor. The prototype will be displayed at the next Beijing Motor Show (April 23rd-May 2nd).

View the full Citroen DS9 photo gallery

“The future of the DS line is already taking shape at Citroën…”. This is the line that introduces the first teaser of a new DS model that has appeared today on the French carmaker’s official facebook page. Following the successful DS3, DS4 and DS5, Citroen is now working on the next model of its premium range which will go on to sit at the top of the whole “dé-esse” family.

The new flagship from the “double chevron” house should debut even before the already announced citycar variant of the DS3, and - apparently - will draw a lot of inspiration from the Metropolis concept, which was showcased a couple of years ago at the Shanghai universal Expo.

At the moment there is not much information about this project available, but it is fair to assume that Citroen will try to break away from the unfortunate C6 chapter and come up with something completely different. The new car will also be exploiting the strong reputation gained by the whole DS range over the past few years, and that will surely turn out to be a very good calling card for it.

Citroen is at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show to introduce a slew of new models, namely the C4 Aircross, the DS4 Racing Concept, the DS3 Racing Sebastien Loeb, the DS4/DS5 Paris Rendez-Vous and the new, facelifted C1. The C4 Aircross has been developed on the same platform that generated the Mitsubishi ASX and will be available on the European markets with an engine line-up made of three options: on the diesel side there’s the 1.6-litre HDi (producing 115 hp and 270 Nm of maximum torque) and the 1.8-litre HDi (150 hp and 300 Nm), both of which will be coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission; as for the only petrol unit, it will be a 1.6-litre delivering 115 hp and 152 Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The diesel variants will also be made available with an all-wheel drive configuration featuring three driving modes.

The Citroen DS4 Racing Concept is an anticipation of a more pushy DS4 version that will come out at a later time, and is equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder THP engine delivering a quite impressive 256 hp. The looks of the car definitely live up to its aggressive spirit: in comparison to the ‘regular’ DS4, it boasts wider tracks at the front (by 55 mm) and at the rear (by 75 mm), has a lower ride height and rolls on a set of flashy two-tone 19″ alloys fitted with 235/40 tyres. Braking comes from an upgraded system featuring 380 mm discs mated with 4-piston calipers. Moreover, the DS4 Racing Concept comes with newly designed bumpers, a proper diffuser and an exclusive matt gray livery.

The Citroen DS3 Racing Sebastien Loeb is obviously a limited edition tribute to the 8 times WRC Champion and his co-driver Daniel Elena. Only 200 units of this car will be produced, featuring an exclusive two-tone color scheme that is mainly Tarmac Black with Arden Red for roof, wing mirror shells and front grille outline. Besides, the model will also come with a special numbered plate signed by Mr.Loeb himself. The DS4 and DS5 Paris Rendez-Vous use a Pearl White paintjob with chromed wing mirror covers, chrome details and a quite original set of 19″ alloy wheels, while in the cabin we have brown leather seats with blue stitching. Also in Geneva is the restyled Citroen C1, powered by a brand new 86 hp 1.2-litre engine that has been developed together with Peugeot and belongs to the new VTi engine range. The other engine option will be the sturdy and reliably 68 hp 1.0 litre, which can be coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission that will provide for power shifters behind the steering wheel. In this configuration, the average fuel consumption claimed by the French manufacturer is 4.3 litres/100 km, with 99 g/km of CO2 emissions.

View the full Citroen live at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show photo gallery

The previously announced Citroen C4 Aircross and DS4 Racing will be on display at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show (8th-18th March) along with three special versions based on the DS3 Racing and the DS4/DS5. The Citroen DS3 Racing Sébastien Loeb will be produced in 200 units and features Tarmac matt black paint with embossed effect and Arden red finish for the roof, the shell of the rear view mirrors, the grille, the dashboard and the lower half of the gear lever. This version is dedicated to Sébastien Loeb and his navigator Daniel Elena and includes a numbered plate on the lining of the roof signed by the Alsatian pilot, in addition to the MyWay navigation system.

The DS4 and DS5 Paris Rendez-Vous will also be presented in Switzerland. Both display a pearly white paint, chrome rear view mirrors’ shells, a few polished chrome details and 19-inch alloy wheels with diamond-effect and black finish. In the passenger compartment stand Club leather seats in Criollo brown shade with bright blue stitching. The DS4 dashboard can be completely covered with Club leather, as an extra. The Double Chevron will also introduce the C1 restyling, the new Berlingo and the C3 Red Block, inspired by the homonymous prototype setting.

Citroën has released more pictures and info of the new C4 Aircross, which will be unveiled at the next Geneva Motor Show. In Europe the new crossover from the French carmaker will come with an engine line-up composed by two diesel and one petrol units: a 1.6-litre HDi engine delivering 115 hp and 270 Nm of peak torque, a 1.8-litre HDi delivering 150 hp and 300 Nm and a 1.6 petrol producing 115 hp and 152 Nm. Outside Europe, a 150 hp 2.0-litre petrol engine will also join the fold. The gasoline powertrains will make use of a 5-speed manual gearbox whereas the diesel ones will come with a standard 6-speed manual transmission.

An all-wheel drive option with three transmission modes will be made available for diesel models only: there is the 2WD mode for optimal fuel consumption, the 4WD mode which automatically distributes the torque between the front and rear axles, and the ‘lock mode’, which increases the torque transmitted to the rear wheels for more grip under severe conditions.

The Citroën C4 Aircross uses 18″ rims and a number of safety and aid systems such as hands-free access and starter, to the GPS navigation system with its touch-sensitive screen, rearview camera, transmission mode selector, USB port and Bluetooth connection for portable audio players, just to name a few. The model is expected to hit the market in the first half of the current year, but Citroen is yet to reveal its price.

View the full Citroën C4 Aircross photo gallery

This lot of spy shots comes once again from cold Northern Scandinavia, and the mule wearing that heavy cammo is the new Citroen C4 Sedan, a three-box version of the popular French family car. The current C4 Sedan is sold mostly in China, but with other small sedans popping up, from different manufactures (we had some Opel Astra Sedan spy photos just yesterday) it is possible that this car will find its way in several European markets.

Apparently, in countries like Italy and Spain and in Eastern Europe, the smaller sedan segment is experiencing a certain growth, and some European manufacturer might want to exploit the moment. As for the engine range, we expect the power to come from the well-known units that are already fitted in the other C4 models.

View Citroen C4 sedan spy shots photo gallery

The first images of the restyled Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1 have surfaced on the internet. The two models were supposed to make their debut at the upcoming 2012 European Motor Show in Brussels - although they were trying to keep it quiet - but now this first bunch of images of the new little French cars have somehow appeared on the internet, as well as a few info.

Judging by these first shots, the 2012 restyling appears to be more impactful than the one both models underwent in 2008, the only one so far for the pair since their launch in 2005. The redesigned front-end of the C1 is somewhat reminiscent of the C-Cactus concept that was on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007, while other minor changes include different handles and hubtub. The Peugeot 107 instead adopts a styling quite similar to what we have seen with the recent 208 and 508, meaning a so-called floating grille as well as a ripple on the bonnet.

As for the cabin, both cars get a new steering wheel, a new gearshift lever and new upholstery patterns. Initially, the cars will be equipped with the same 93 hp 1.0-litre 3-cylinder unit of the previous version, but a new 1.2-litre unit should also be made available for the pair by the summer. Now we would expect to see a similar restyling for the third natural twin of the lot, the Toyota Aygo. However, an all-new version of the three cars is already scheduled to surface in 2014.

View the full 2012 Citroen C1 photo gallery
View the full 2012 Peugeot 107 photo gallery

via | LeftLane

8 times World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb has been testing the Citroën DS3 WRC on the roads of the Monte Carlo just weeks ahead of the first round of the WRC season, which will take place between the 17th and 22nd of January in the Principality of Monaco, and here is a short video documenting the event. The Monte Carlo rally has just been reinstated in the World Rally Championship calendar after a 3 year long absence, but this fact did not dent its status as the most prestigious and famous rally race of the planet, and Mr.Loeb knows that only too well having won the event no less than 6 times. We will see whether this year it will be a good start for the Frenchman’s 9th title campaign.

video | Motors Television

Citroen is about to launch a new special edition of the C3 Picasso for the UK market called Code, which will replace the Blackcherry special edition. The car is based on the most successful model of the range, the HDi 90 manual VTR+ version, therefore it will have the same 90 hp 1.6-litre diesel engine under the bonnet, a unit that boasts an average fuel consumption of 4.6 lt/100km and CO2 emissions of just 120 g/km.

The Citroen C3 Picasso Code special edition will come with air conditioning, curtain airbags, cruise control, Bluetooth and USB connectivity as standard equipment whereas 17 ” alloy wheels, chrome lower bumper inserts, black-chrome door handles, black painted bumpers and longitudinal roof bars will be available as optional extras. There will be four body colour options to choose from: Polar White, Cherry Red, Belle Ile Blue and Thorium Grey.

via | Autoevolution