Citroen at 2012 Paris Motor Show

With the Paris Motor Show being the home motor show to Citroen, the car maker is turning up with a very rich lineup. Good news is, almost the entire lineup are interesting cars. Not that they make bad cars, but there’s no van or commercial vehicles messing up the view. They are all interesting new production models. The distinctive DS line is growing with the arrival of the Citroen DS3 Cabrio, a soft-top model combining all the strengths of the DS3’s – styling, driving thrills and refinement – with the pleasure of top-down motoring. The roof can even be activated at up to 75mph (120 km/h). In other DS line news, DS3 has gained even more personalisation possibilities, DS4 and DS5 are shown as limited edition Pure Pearl models, with even more sophisticated style, and the DS4 adds an HDi 160 version with an automatic gearbox. Citroen is also moving up-market with the C range, as evidenced with the newly revised C3 Picasso, which is making its debut in Paris. More details can be found in Citroen press release: WORLD PREMIERE: CITROËN DS3 CABRIO Citroën is revealing the latest advance in the DS line at this year’s Paris show, DS3 Cabrio, a cabriolet version of the multi-award winning DS3 that uses intelligent design to make top-down driving considerably easier and more enjoyable. Since its launch in 2010, DS3’s distinctive style and enhanced personalisation options have won the hearts and minds of both public and press. DS3 has already generated a string of awards, over 180,000 sales worldwide and a line of special editions and new versions including DS3 Racing and DS3 Ultra Prestige. A striking addition to the DS3 range, DS3 Cabrio features all the hallmarks and thrills of DS3, with bold styling, sophisticated refinement, extensive personalisation and enjoyable handling, combined with the pleasure of al-fresco driving. Continuing DS3’s personalisation options, three soft-top roof styles will be available – black, Infinite blue and a DS Monogrammed design. An innovative 3D rear light signature and original tailgate opening action add to the refinements. Injecting fresh modernity into the cabriolet segment, DS3 Cabrio offers drivers:

• an electrically operated roof up to motorway speeds (75 mph)
• the only adult 5-seater in the class
• the largest boot in the class (245 litres)

NEW CITROËN C3 PICASSO: THE NEW GENERATION ‘SPACE BOX’ Making its debut at Paris, the newly updated Citroën C3 Picasso is more distinctive than ever with its bold styling and innovative architecture. New styling features include a revised front bumper and the latest Citroën chevrons, along with the addition of LED daytime running lights for a fresh new look. There are two new body colours – Pearlescent white and Ink blue – and new upholstery choices including a new cloth trim and optional Mistral Claudia leather. The new C3 Picasso can be specified with Citroën’s eMyWay satellite navigation system including an audio jack plug, USB sockets and a Bluetooth® hands-free kit. The system can even be connected to a reversing camera for easier manoeuvres. Other new features include fog lamps with static cornering lights, an electrochrome interior rearview mirror and a roof console at the front of the cabin with LED ambient lighting. The new C3 Picasso will go ‘on sale’ in the UK early in 2013. Specification and pricing will be announced closer to the launch. CITROËN DS4 & DS5 PURE PEARL LIMITED EDITIONS Citroën will exhibit two new sophisticated limited edition models at the Paris show, DS4 and DS5 Pure Pearl. Available in selected markets, both models are finished in pearlescent white body paint with gloss chrome detailing and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Pure Pearl limited edition is particularly impressive inside, with watchstrap-style club leather upholstery – a signature feature of the DS line – enhanced with blue overstitching. The limited editions are fitted with integrated eMyWay satellite navigation, Xenon dual-function directional headlamps with wipers, front and rear park assist and the Citroën eTouch system. In another first, the DS4 Pure Pearl is powered by the HDi 160 engine with an automatic gearbox. Athletic and refined, the drivetrain is a perfect fit for the dynamic and sophisticated DS4. ACCELERATING INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CITROËN C4 L: POSITIVE ENERGY The ‘Lounge’ version of the Citroën C4 is aimed at the high-end segment in international markets. Launched in early 2013 in China and later that year in Russia, the Citroën C4 L extends the C4 family and features prestigious and contemporary styling, outstanding on-board well-being and creative in-car technologies for comfort, safety and performance. CITROËN C-ELYSÉE: MODERN, SPACIOUS & ROBUST The Citroën C-Elysée benefits from all of Citroën’s expertise in technology and design. The styling and features deliver a targeted response to the needs of customers looking for an attractive, affordable saloon. Scheduled for launch late in 2012, it demonstrates brand expertise in the development of running gear, quality and technology, as illustrated by the new VTi 72 engine, designed for performance, fuel efficiency and durability. The Citroën C-Elysée was designed first and foremost to meet the needs of international markets. THE DS LINE AS AN INTERNATIONAL BRAND SHOWCASE The DS line has been a worldwide success for Citroën with sales of over 250,000. The DS line has enabled Citroën to strengthen its reputation as a global brand by attracting new customers in fast-growing international markets. China is the world’s number-one car market, Citroën’s number-two market and the top priority in the Brand’s international growth strategy. DS4 and DS5 were launched in the country on 28 June and will soon be joined by DS3. To accompany these launches, Citroën aims to open 80 DS Stores by the end of 2013. In parallel, the Brand has been moving ahead with the DS line launch in Russia, with DS4 and DS5 after DS3, and in Latin America with the launch of the Citroën DS3 in Brazil in June. The Brand will launch the Citroën DS5 in Brazil in October to coincide with the São Paulo Motor Show, where it will also present DS4. A NEW APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL MOBILITY PURETECH: ENHANCED EFFICIENCY WITH A NEW RANGE OF PETROL ENGINES Citroën is strongly committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and, to coincide with the Paris Motor Show, the Brand is launching a new family of 3-cylinder petrol engines named ‘PureTech’. The new powerplants, with a capacity of 1.0 and 1.2 litres offer maximum power of 50 and 60kW (68 and 82hp). They deliver extremely low fuel consumption of between 65.7 and 62.8mpg (4.3 and 4.5 l/100km) and CO₂ emissions of 99 to 104g/km. The VTi 68 powerplant will be available in the C3 and the VTi 82 in the C3 and DS3. CITROËN DS3 ELECTRUM: THE ‘PLUGGED-IN’ CITY CAR Citroën is taking things further at the Paris Motor Show with the presentation of the DS3 Electrum concept car featuring full-electric technology and innovative design. The technology used on the ‘plugged-in’ and ‘electrifying’ DS3 Electrum city car ensures performance consistent with the current DS3 together with zero emissions, a range of up to 75miles (120 km) and optimum on-board comfort with zero noise. Fully respecting the spirit of DS3, the Electrum concept shows that a full-electric car can be a thrill to drive and that being environmentally considerate doesn’t have to be boring. DS3 Electrum’s electric drivetrain has an innovative and non-intrusive design. With two 65kW motors located on the front axle, the car keeps all of its cabin and boot space. This development makes it possible to ‘electrify’ existing internal-combustion vehicles. DS3 Electrum also includes a Panasonic 17.5kWh lithium-ion battery and a charging socket located under the fuel flap for connecting to quick charging stations. An 80% charge can be achieved in just 30 minutes. CITROËN C-ZERO: THE ELECTRIC ODYSSEY Following its heritage of pioneering adventure, Citroën is just about to complete a new challenge with the C-ZERO: the ‘Electric Odyssey’. The first around-the-world tour in a mass-produced electric car set out from Strasbourg on 11 February 2012. “If we can drive an electric car around the world, you can definitely use it for most of your everyday trips” says Xavier Degon and Antonin Guy, the Electric Odyssey team. The duo is soon to return from their exceptionally long trip and will be meeting up with the public at the Paris Motor Show on Citroën’s stand. NUMÉRO 9 CONCEPT: POINTING TO THE FUTURE OF THE DS LINE With its unique styling and creative approach, the Numéro 9 concept car points to the future of the DS line and heralds the next three new models: a premium C-segment sedan, an SUV and a D-segment executive saloon. Numéro 9 stands out from the crowd with its charismatic body style, which reinterprets the shooting brake and introduces a new styling identity at the front. Powered by a plug-in hybrid system, Numéro 9 achieves impressive performance and a 50km range in electric mode, together with 295hp and just 39g/km of CO₂. Performance is further enhanced by a new-generation wheel design with blades that direct the air flow around the wheel arches to reduce turbulence and fuel consumption. Related posts: