Citroen has launched the DS3 DStyle and DSport Red special editions. The Red model adds extra equipment and a Red Touch interior and exterior pack. Price from £15,655.

Available in either DStyle or DSport trims and in either Polar White or Perla Neta Black, the red touches give the DS3 a sportier flair similar to the limited-edition DS3 Racing.

The DS3 DStyle Red gets Citroen’s ‘Connect Signature’ - that's Bluetooth and USB connectivity in plain English, while the DSport Red gets a ‘City Signature’ pack. Automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, electric heated and folding door mirrors, an electrochrome rear view mirror, interior mood lighting and a front central armrest are all included.

The exterior finish is matched with white or black 16-inch ‘Ashera’ alloy wheels on DStyle Red models and white or black 17-inch ‘Bellone’ alloys on DSport Red variants.

Under the hood, the DStyle Red is available with a VTi 120 petrol engine or an e-HDi 90 diesel engine. Likewise, the DSport Red offers a THP 155 petrol engine or an e-HDi 115 diesel engine.




Press Release

CITROËN LAUNCHES NEW DS3 RED SPECIAL EDITIONS

• Citroën announces new DS3 DStyle Red & DSport Red special editions
• Available in Polar White or Perla Nera Black with exclusive ‘Red Touch’ interior & exterior
• New Red special editions emphasise DS3’s styling & desirability
• Additional equipment specified as standard

Citroën has launched an exciting range of DS3 Red special editions for the New Year. The new models are based on DS3’s existing DStyle and DSport trim levels, with exclusive styling cues and additional standard equipment. The special edition DS3 Red range is available now, priced from just £15,655.

A TOUCH OF RED

Complementing the Polar White or Perla Nera Black body colours, all DS3 Red models come with an exclusive ‘Red Touch’ interior and exterior pack, which includes a ‘Sport Red’ roof and door mirrors. Also specific to the Red range is the striking ‘Sport Red’ finish to the front grille and chevrons. Inside, the vibrant red customisation continues with a matching red dashboard and door handle surrounds.

Matching the exterior body colour chosen by the customer, DS3 Red models come with white or black 16-inch ‘Ashera’ alloy wheels on DStyle Red models and white or black 17-inch ‘Bellone’ alloys on DSport Red versions. All wheels come complete with ‘Sport Red’ centre caps.

SPECIAL EDITIONS OFFERING MORE

DS3 DStyle Red models are available, as standard, with Citroën’s ‘Connect Signature’ pack, which includes Bluetooth® and USB connectivity, plus an enhanced Hi-Fi system and additional speakers for superior sound quality.

The ‘City Signature’ pack, which comes as standard on DSport Red versions, consists of automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, electric heated and folding door mirrors, an electrochrome rear view mirror, interior mood lighting and a front central armrest. All DSport Red versions are also specified, as standard, with Bluetooth®, USB connectivity and the same enhanced Hi-Fi system as specified in DStyle Red.

ENGINE OPTIONS & PRICES

DS3 DStyle Red is available with either a VTi 120 petrol engine or an e-HDi 90 Airdream diesel engine that produces just 98g/km of CO2. The DS3 DSport Red is powered by a THP 155 petrol engine, with a 6-speed manual gearbox, or an e-HDi 115 Airdream diesel, also with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Marchionne Says European Car Market Won’t Recover Without EU Intervention

If anything, Sergio Marchionne is a man who speaks his mind – a bit too often, some might say. Still, the CEO of the Fiat-Chrysler group is deeply concerned about the drop in European car sales and he thinks something should be done about it.

Marchionne, who is also the head of ACEA, the European auto manufacturers’ association, is strongly endorsing the idea that there should be a European Union-led coordinated strategy if the industry is to survive.

“I am concerned that if we don’t find a collective will to resolve this at a European level, it is going to become a permanent crisis”, he said on Wednesday, October 10.

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Loeb Wins 9th Consecutive WRC Championship, Citroen Claims 8th Manufacturers’ Title

We bet that rivals of Sebastien Loeb wish that the 38-year old Alsatian hadn’t quit being a gymnast in favor of rally racing in 1995… If he had stuck to his former profession, Loeb and his co-driver Daniel Elena wouldn’t have done a Michael Schumacher (in his first Formula 1 stint) and dominate the FIA World Rally Championship.

Actually, they have outdone Schumi for they have won the WRC title nine years in a row after winning this weekend’s Rallye de France and helping Citroen secure its eight manufacturers’ title in the WRC.

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Detroit's Big 3 to Record US$4 Billion Combined Losses this Year due to European Car Sales Slump

After the U.S. market meltdown, which resulted in General Motors and Chrysler receiving a bailout, the two automakers along with Ford recovered quickly and are now posting near-record profits.

However, it seems that Detroit's Big Three have to face the fact that, even though their sales are blooming in most parts of the world, the European debt crisis will put their local operations in the red.

According to a report from the Detroit News, GM’s Opel/Vauxhall and its French partner PSA Peugeot Citroen, Ford of Europe and Fiat will lose a combined US$4 billion this year because sales in the Old Continent are slumping to their lowest levels since the mid-1990s.

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Citroën Plugs Into the Grid with New DS3 Electrum Concept

Not to miss out on the electric car fad, Citroën is presenting a new take in the segment with a conceptual version of its DS3 supermini at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

The not-too-brightly named DS3 Electrum might look like a regular model on the outside but under the hood, it replaces the internal combustion engine with a pair of 65kW 87Hp) electric motors.

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PSA Peugeot Citroen Reportedly Terminates Hybrid Research Partnership with BMW, Continues with GM

When it formed an alliance with General Motors last February, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Europe’s second-biggest car manufacturer, said that this would not affect its partnerships with other manufacturers.

Yet according to Agence France-Presse, Peugeot’s head of R&D Gauillaume Faury said that the French group would end its joint venture with BMW on hybrid research that was established in February 2011, and continue with GM instead.

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For Richer or Poorer: Citroen to Bring Upmarket DS Models, Affordable Saloons at Paris Auto Show

The brand-new DS3 Cabrio, the revamped C3 Picasso and the DS3 Electrum EV concept won’t be the only models Citroen will display at its Paris Motor Show stand. Far from it, the French carmaker is launching a full-on assault on both ends of the market.

On one hand, Citroen wants to be perceived as a bold and creative brand that is moving upmarket by means of its technological advances and unique styling through its DS lineup.

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Citroen to Unveil DS3 Electrum Concept at the Paris Motor Show

While the DS3 Cabrio may steal most glances at Citroen’s Paris Auto Show stand, the brand with the double chevron logo will also display another interesting version of its stylish hatchback.

The DS3 Electrum is an all-electric plug-in concept of the firm's chic supermini. Its drivetrain features two 65 kW (87HP) electric motors on the front axle and a Panasonic 17.5 kWh lithium-ion battery that can be charged via a socket hidden under the classic fuel cap.

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Citroen to Launch Refreshed C3 Picasso Mini MPV at Paris Auto Show

Since its introduction in 2008 at the Paris Motor Show, Citroen has sold more than 320,000 units of its C3 Picasso. The French carmaker has decided that it’s time to upgrade its mini MPV and has chosen the same venue for its world debut.

Changes in the "new" C3 Picasso are mostly cosmetic to bring it in line with the rest of the carmaker’s range.

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2012 Citroen Numero 9 concept

Citroen has releases the Numero 9 Concept ,which will debut at the 2012 Beijing motor show

The Concept primarily previews a new D-Segment executive sedan that will presumably be known as the DS9 when it reaches production form. However, it also previews the styling elements of the another 2 vehicles that are to join the DS line-up which Citroen has confirmed will be a C-segment premium sedan and an SUV.

Citroen describes the Numero 9 as a "new take on the shooting brake body style," combining the proportions of a wagon with the style of a fastback five-door and the dimensions of a large executive car.

The Numero 9 sits on 21-inch wheels, with its glassy roof just 1.27m off the ground. The 4.9m length and wide-set headlight and grille treatment accentuate the car's ground-hugging stance, while the fastback rear profile and aerodynamically shaped pillars contribute to a low drag figure. Even those mammoth wheels are sculpted to scythe through the airstream with minimal fuss.

The plug-in hybrid setup offers a 30 mile EV only range, automatically chooses the power source and driven wheels according to conditions and driver demand, can manage 62mph in 5.4 seconds, the usual sill economy and emission figures (in this case 166mpg and 39g/km) and can even switch the ICE to standby when not needed.

The Numero 9 can also travel on electricity only for up to 50 kilometres, with the battery pack taking 3.5 hours to recharge from a regular powerpoint.





Press Release

• Citroën’s DS line will launch in China during 2012

• Numéro 9 concept to be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show to mark the DS line launch

• Numéro 9 concept combines radical executive styling with luxury and comfort

• Hybrid drivetrain delivers fuel economy of 166mpg (1.7l/100km) and CO2 emissions of just 39g/km

• Concept signals styling cues of the next three models in the DS line

Marketed in parallel alongside Citroën’s main range, the distinctive DS line explores new automotive territory. Based on more radical choices, it opens new perspectives in premium vehicle design and illustrates the best of Citroën’s expertise in creativity and technology. Just two years after its launch, the DS line - comprising of Citroën DS3, DS4 and DS5 - has already notched up more than 200,000 sales worldwide, with 25,000 in the UK alone.

The DS line will be launched in China this year and, to mark the event, Citroën has designed a new concept car, Numéro 9, which will be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show. The concept signals the styling cues of the next three DS line models: a C-segment premium sedan, an SUV and a D-segment executive saloon.

A new take on the shooting brake body style, Numéro 9 has elegant, thoroughbred looks enhanced with further radical design elements. Solid, sculpted proportions and subtle lines convey a distinctive and sophisticated character. The sophistication is allied with a high-quality finish for a truly original driving sensation and features that are practical and versatile in everyday use.

The concept is designed with plug-in full-hybrid technology; an ultra-efficient system that boasts remarkable levels of performance - 166mpg fuel economy, 50km range in ZEV mode, 295hp, a ‘boost’ function and 39g/km of CO2.

Designed in Paris, Numéro 9 opens a new chapter in the styling of the DS line.

NUMÉRO 9 IN DETAIL: A FRESH TAKE ON FRENCH-STYLE LUXURY

Following on from Citroën DS3, DS4 and DS5, concept car Numéro 9 takes a fresh look at the DS line with a new take on the prestigious shooting brake design.

Subtly combining the proportions of a coupé with those of an estate, Numéro 9 hints at exceptional driving sensations, with its taut lines, long bonnet and ultra-low stance (1.27m tall) on 21-inch wheels. It also promises unique onboard comfort with its generous proportions (4.93m long and 1.94m wide, with a 3m wheelbase) providing plenty of room for rear occupants. The three glass areas in the roof also create a welcoming, friendly cabin ambience.

Numéro 9 evolves the design cues of the current DS line, introducing the new front-end identity of future models, along with an original light signature. The grille is sculpted in 3 dimensions and flows into the full-LED headlights, which end in daytime-running lights. Condensing the distinctive forms of the DS line, the concept also features a floating roof, underlined by chrome trim with discreet DS markings, and glazed side surfaces flowing into the rear window.

A sophisticated use of body colours and materials includes deep black bodywork with subtle hints of violet. The finish, named ‘Whisper’, is a perfect match for the warmer shade of the ‘Californian’ chrome finish.

The ‘Créative Technologie’ used by Numéro 9 combines comfort, safety and respect for the environment, while also delivering enjoyable driving sensations for all occupants.

Every detail was designed to contribute to Numéro 9’s aerodynamic efficiency (CdA = 0.61) including:

• a rear spoiler, which reinforces the fastback effect

• windscreen pillars that contribute to efficient air flow around the car

• ‘Turbine’ wheels with integrated fins to increase the air flow around the wheel arches, reducing both turbulence and fuel consumption.

With its plug-in full-hybrid technology, concept car Numéro 9 is also a perfect fit with Citroën’s environmental commitments.

The advanced drivetrain combines a conventional petrol or diesel engine (depending on the market) with an electric motor on the rear axle that develops 70hp and torque of 200Nm. The electric motor is powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged in just 3½ hours from a normal domestic socket. The model on display at the Beijing Motor Show is fitted with a 1.6 THP petrol engine developing 225hp (165kW) and 275Nm of torque.

With its plug-in hybrid technology, Numéro 9 respects the environment. It has a range of 50km (around 31miles) in all-electric ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode and, on roads demanding successive acceleration and deceleration, the hybrid drivetrain limits consumption by using both sources of energy. On the motorway, the combustion engine takes over to deliver real performance.

Numéro 9 features new-generation micro-hybrid technology designed to switch the combustion engine to stand-by whenever it is not required.

When the driver requires speed and torque, a ‘boost’ function combines the power of the combustion engine and electric motor to enable high levels of performance (up to 295hp). Numéro 9 takes just 5.4 seconds to go from 0 to 62mph and 25.3 seconds to travel 1,000m from a standing start.

When grip is lacking, the car switches to four-wheel drive mode with the electric motor driving the rear wheels and the combustion engine powering the front wheels. In particularly difficult driving conditions, such as driving up a sloping, snow-covered road, the driver can manually select 4WD mode. The four-wheel drive system and hydraulic active suspension then deliver increased traction, making full use of the potential of Numéro 9 in complete safety.

Looking beyond on-road performance and environmental benefits, the full-hybrid plug-in technology offers a third advantage: the cabin can be prepared before the car is used. For example, it can be pre-heated to ensure the comfort of all the occupants as soon as they climb onboard.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

DIMENSIONS

Length: 4.93m
Width: 1.94m
Height: 1.27m
Wheelbase: 3m

WEIGHT

Total laden weight: 1,500kg

PLUG-IN HYBRID DRIVETRAIN

1.6 THP petrol engine developing 225hp (165kW) / torque of 275Nm
Electric motor on rear axle: power of 70hp / torque of 200Nm
ZEV mode: range of 50km

PERFORMANCE AND CONSUMPTION

0 to 1,000m: 25.3 seconds
0 to 62mph: 5.4 seconds
Top speed: 152mph (244kph)
Consumption: 166mpg (1.7l/100km) over a combined cycle MVEG
CO2 emissions: 39g/km

AERODYNAMICS

CdA: 0.61

RUNNING GEAR

MICHELIN tyres 245/35 ZR21

Citroen DS4 Racing Concept

Citroen has releases photos and details for the DS4 Racing Concept ,which will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in next month.

The concept car is based on the current DS4 five-door with a long list of modifications that showcases the brand’s success and expertise as a World Rally Championship competitor.

Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. In the regular DS4 this engine is tuned to develop as much as 200 horsepower but in DS4 Racing guise it now spits out a total 256 horsepower.

The engine was developed jointly by PSA Peugeot-Citroen and BMW, and it is widely used in each brand’s lineup. It powers the MINI Cooper, the Peugeot RCZ, and even the Citroen DS3 Racing, just to name a few.

The suspension has been substantially uprated to deal with the power hike - a 35mm drop all-round - and a wider front and rear track. These changes complement the 19-inch wheels that are fitted to the concept, housing the huge 380mm brake discs and four-pot callipers.

The DS4 may seem to be an unlikely basis for a hot hatch, being simply a more luxurious take on the rather bland C4 compact. It’s a five-door which tries to look like a three-door crossover, with hidden rear door handles and fixed rear side windows. It also is jacked up to sit higher than the C4.




Press Release

Citroën has sold more than 180,000 DS line models worldwide since launch. The adventure continues at the Geneva Motor Show with the reveal of the DS4 Racing Concept. As with the DS3 Racing, the engineers at Citroën Racing and the styling team have firmly stamped the DS4 with the image of the Brand's racing department.

Making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the DS4 Racing Concept features "100% Racing" attributes. The chassis is 35 mm lower than the regular model and track is 55 mm wider at the front and 75 mm wider at the back. The concept car also sports an air diffuser, a front bumper panel, a lower-body belt line and wing extensions. Citroën Racing has tweaked the 1.6-litre turbo engine to develop 256 bhp, or 160 bhp per litre - a record for a series-production car. This spectacular performance comes hand in hand with controlled CO2 emissions of 155 g/km.

Citroën Racing engineers have also redeveloped the running gear with the utmost precision. The concept car is equipped with four-pot, fixed calliper brakes at the front, with special discs widened to 380 mm in diameter, and shod with larger, 19-inch wheels (235/40).

Another stand-out feature of the Citroën DS4 Racing Concept is its matte grey, textured-effect paint - a first in the automotive sector. The grain of the paint catches the light differently and further enhances the body styling, while the colour is sober, modern and robust and ideally suited to a sports car. To refine the exterior aesthetic, the concept car gets a two-tone roof and specially-designed, two-tone wheel rims.

Citroen C3 Picasso Code Special Edition

French carmaker Citroen has releases the C3 Picasso Code for the UK market

The car is based on the most successful model of the range, the HDi 90 manual VTR+ version and comes with new equipment that complements the already generous list of standard features.,

The C3 Picasso Code Special Edition for the UK is available in four exterior colors, the Polar White, the Cherry red, the Belle Ile Blue and the Thorium Grey. The special edition of the French car is coming with curtain airbags, cruise control, air conditioning, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, chrome lower bumper inserts, black door handles with chrome inserts, longitudinal roof bars, black painted bumpers and a fresh set of 17 inch wheels.

Interior changes are limited to unique floor mats, but the model is nicely equipped with air conditioning, cruise control and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Citroen C3 Picasso Code Special Edition is coming with a 1.6 liter diesel engine, developing 90 horsepower and emitting 120 g/km of CO, with an estimated 61.4 mpg fuel consumption, for a price of 15.695 GBP.




Press Release

INTRODUCING CITROËN'S NEW C3 PICASSO CODE SPECIAL EDITION

Citroën has introduced a stylish new special edition into its award-winning C3 Picasso range - C3 Picasso Code.

The C3 Picasso Code, which replaces the previous Blackcherry special edition, is based on the best-selling HDi 90 manual VTR+ version, with added equipment.

Complementing a generous specification that already includes air conditioning, a Connecting Box (Bluetooth® system with USB socket), curtain airbags and cruise control with speed limiter, the C3 Picasso Code gains a ‘Look Pack' that features:

• Polar White or Cherry Red 17" ‘Clover' alloy wheels (depending on body colour)
• Chrome lower bumper inserts
• Shiny black painted door handles with chrome inserts
• Obsidian Black painted front & rear bumpers
• Obsidian Black door mirrors with shiny black surround & base plate
• Longitudinal roof bars
• Shiny black vent surrounds
• Carpet mats

There are four body colours to choose from - Polar White, Cherry Red, Belle Ile Blue and Thorium Grey. The Polar White wheels are available with the Belle Ile Blue or Cherry Red body colours and add Polar White painted side rubbing strips and a white rear number plate surround with chrome detailing. The Cherry Red alloy wheels are available with the Polar White or Thorium Grey body colours and bring Cherry Red painted side rubbing strips and a Cherry Red number plate surround with a chrome insert.

The new model's refined and efficient diesel HDi 90 powerplant returns an impressive 61.4mpg on the combined cycle and is eligible for free VED in the first year thanks to its sub-120g/km CO2 emissions.

The C3 Picasso Code special edition is ‘on sale' now priced from £15,695, which is just £300 more than the HDi 90 manual VTR+ version on which it is based.

Citroen Antistatic Concept

Citroen has released today the renderings of the new Citroen Antistatic Concept, or E-3POD, The project was jointly sponsored by Citroën and EXA, a France-based aerodynamicsimulation software company.

The best overall design was Heikki Juvonen's Citroen E 3POD Antistatic electric tripod which is a single seater vehicle features two small wheels at the front and a large third wheel with an innovative hub-less design. The Citroen E 3POD Antistatic electric tripod is positioned between bikes and cars in the micro segment, and is intended to enhance urban mobility as an addition to the family transportation fleet.

The designer Heikki Juvonen, receives a six month employment contract to work at the prestigious PSA Design Centre in Paris.




Press Release

A series of visionary designs in a Citroën sponsored project have been unveiled at the Royal College of Art’s Interim Degree Show in London. The Double Challenge project required RCA MA second year students to design a compelling ultra-compact model that could establish a unique Citroën e-vehicle aesthetic for the future. The project was jointly sponsored by Citroën and EXA, a France-based aerodynamic simulation software company.

Heikki Juvonen’s E-3POD Antistatic was chosen as the best overall design by representatives from Citroën’s Style Centre and Electric Vehicle Development Team. His single-seat creation is a bold and engaging take on an urban three wheel electric vehicle. The distinctive, aerodynamic styling features two smaller wheels at the front with the driver sitting inside a larger third wheel with an innovative hub-less design. As his prize, Heikki receives a six month employment contract to work at the prestigious PSA Design Centre in Paris.

Heikki commented; “I’m thrilled Citroën selected my design as their favourite and I can’t wait to work with their talented team in France. As a designer I strive for new and better solutions. Good and sustainable design not only improves manufacturer brand image and sales, but can also help to preserve our environment.”

Citroën had significant involvement throughout the Double Challenge project, providing industry figures to lend the students their expertise and experience, as well as organising a trip to the PSA Design Centre and Le Conservatoire, Citroën’s in-house museum of historic models.

Philippe Holland, Responsable Style Graphique at Citroën, said; “We’re delighted to be involved in this important RCA project. The students have produced some truly exceptional ideas for the future design of electric Citroën vehicles. This type of powertrain is increasingly recognised as an important solution for economically and environmentally viable urban transport; so it’s fantastic to see the electric visions of these potential car designers of tomorrow.”

The RCA is the only exclusively postgraduate art and design university. The college’s Automotive Design course has been in existence for 40 years and is the oldest of its kind in Europe.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Designer of the award-winning Citroen DS3, previously studied at the Royal College of Art.

Designed by RCA student Heikki Juvonen, the Citroën E-3POD Antistatic electric tripod is a new type of electric vehicle for urban commuting. The ultra-light, micro segment, single-seater is not meant to replace cars, but to be an addition to the family transportation fleet, positioned between bikes and cars. With the E-3POD, the user can enter the world of electric vehicles without having to sacrifice their main means of long distance travel in internal combustion engine cars. The distinctive look of the electric design language is applied to distinguish the product from being associated to cars, for the avoidance of comparison in terms of operational range or refuelling/recharging time. The E-3POD has a simplified, lightweight construction with an emphasis on aerodynamics to minimize the required battery size. This lowers the production costs, making the E-3POD affordable for purchase in addition to the family car - and a potential means of commuting for young people and students. The lowered weight is emphasized in design elements such as the rear wheel, which works as a supportive structural element, the shared suspension for both front wheels, and the use of scratch resistant plastic for the canopy. The silent electric engines also make sound insulation redundant, allowing for lighter material selection. The E-3POD provides the user with easy, cost efficient transport with access to easier parking due to the small footprint. The design also provides comfortable and isolated personal space, which - when compared to bicycles or public transport - is a welcome addition. The short length of the vehicle makes it agile in urban environments. At higher speeds the E-3POD tilts slightly to provide solid grip and an emphasised stance, giving cornering a more responsive feel.