Japan's Mitsubishi Motors and France's PSA Peugeot- Citroën are deepening their industrial ties in Europe by announcing yet another collaborative project, this time regarding Mitsubishi's ASX compact SUV.
Under the agreement, Mitsubishi will supply its new ASX crossover (named RVR in Japan) to the PSA group that will make two visually different vehicles for its Citroën and Peugeot brands with sales set to begin in early 2012.
These are the first 'real life' pictures of Citroën's latest concept car, the Metropolis, that gives certain German makers (see Porsche and BMW) a lesson or two on how to design an eye-candy luxury sports saloon.
The styling of the 5.3m long and 2m wide but only 1.4m high Metropolis has echoes of the French automaker's well received GT supercar concept of 2008. This one was developed by Citröen's Shanghai-based design team.
Under the subtle "Pearl Silk" colored bodywork there's a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that utilizes "an optimized" 2.0-liter V6 petrol engine, an electric motor and a 7-speed, dual-clutch electronic gearbox.
These are the first pictures of the interior of Citroën's DS High Rider that was originally showcased at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show this past March.
The cabin's design is contemporary as are the color choices that mirror the golden tone of the DS High Rider's bodywork. Being a concept and all, the interior gets special leather surfaces with unique textures and graining, while chrome detailing is used around the dials, steering wheel, air vents, gear stick and the arch that connects the instrument panel to the console.
Continuing its conceptual-car onslaught, Citroën has released details and teaser photos of a new limousine study called the 'Metropolis'. Created by Citroën's international design team that is based in Shanghai since 2008, the show car will be unveiled at next month's Shanghai World Fair on May 1.
Said to pay homage to China's "extraordinary development", the Metropolis is an imposing limo that measures 5.3m in length, 2.0m in width and 1.4m in height, meaning its larger than the long wheel-base version of the new Audi A8.
The Metropolis' exterior design is clearly inspired the French firm's well received "GTbyCitroën" concept supercar, blending taut lines with smooth surfaces.
Sergio Marchionne, head of the Fiat and Chrysler groups is predicting that the next major merger in the automotive industry will involve France's largest automaker, the PSA Peugeot-Citroen Group.
"The next merger will probably be French," Marchionne told reporters in Rome today. "They [PSA] tried with Mitsubishi and they will try with someone else."
Citroën's Brazilian arm has released the first official photos of a new model called the AirCross, essentially a crossover version of the C3 Picasso MPV with a jacked up suspension and a body kit around the bottom of the body to give it a more rugged, off-road look.
Styling tweaks include the relocation of the spare tire to the rear hatch, newly designed front and rear bumpers, a new grille up front, wheel arch extensions, roof rails, faux aluminum trim and larger alloy wheels.
The launch of the C6 Luxury sedan and the Grand C4 Picasso by Brooklands Motors Sdn Bhd (BMSB), the sole importer & distributor of Citroën in Malaysia, marked the return of Citroën vehicles locally. This is definitely good news for Citroën fans here who have not seen any new Citroën vehicles launched here since 2005.The official launch ceremony was officiated by Dato’ Jacob Dungau Sagan, the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia.
Muhammad Fadhil Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer and Director of BMSB said, “The C6 that has been inspired by the great Citroën cars of the past such as the DS, the SM, the CX and the XM is so authentically Citroen with new innovative technologies that have helped the Marque to establish a strong heritage in the luxury sedan market.
“The C6 is the first car to combine hydraulic suspension with double wishbones at the front and a multi-link set up at the rear. Associated with an active suspension system featuring electronically controlled springing and damping, the running gear of the C6 effectively soaks up bumps and dips in the road surface to set new standards in comfort, road holding and driving pleasure”.
The original design of the C6 combines the Marque's own styling cues with those of an executive car. The proportions of the roof line and the curve of the wheel arches immediately identify the C6 as one of the great Citroën models. The C6 features a long front overhang and short rear overhang. The design lines and general approach bring to mind both a powerful coupé and a prestige saloon, from the standpoint of their respective qualities. At the front, the C6 features a wide grille and chrome chevrons spanning the nose right up to the vertical headlamps. The headlamps extend up onto the wings and wide ribbed bonnet.
A long wheelbase and flowing, aerodynamic profile give the C6 real presence, while suggesting space, stability and power. The windows hug the curve of the roof arch, which in turn blends smoothly into the rear pillars in a subtle nod to coupé styling, an effect that is taken one step further by the frameless doors.
At the rear, the design is particularly eye-catching. The concave window extends down to the boot lid and lights, thus adding the finishing touch to the body style. An air deflector is deployed automatically at speed, illustrating the attention paid to another key Citroën value: aerodynamics.
The interior of the C6 creates an immediate impression of space and comfort. The pure lines of the dashboard, premium materials and comfortable, sculpted seats are an invitation to step on board and enjoy a relaxing ride.Classic andyet thoroughly original, the C6 sets itself apart from the models that currently set the standard in the sector, while meeting all the requirements of an executive car:elegance, refinement and presence.
The C6 Exclusive is priced at RM398,000 and comes with a two-year or 100,000km warranty. It is powered by the 3.0 V6 petrol engine that delivers 155 kW EEC (215 bhp DIN) at 6,000 rpm and 290 Nm of torque EEC at 3,752 rpm. The engine is fitted with a new exhaust line and dual-mode active silencer, which improves both performance and engine noise. By redirecting the exhaust gases in the silencer, this system improves engine noise in normal conditions of use and improves performance under load. In terms of environmental protection, the V6 engine meets the Euro IV emission standard.
The Grand C4 Picasso is an innovative and compact seven-seat MPV. It sports distinctive styling and a host of original features that make travelling by MPV an even more comfortable and enjoyable experience. With the fluid and harmonious profile of a true thoroughbred, the Grand C4 Picasso has all the hallmarks of a Citroën. Continuing the trend set by the brand's latest models, this new MPV boasts some unique features that make life on board simpler and more enjoyable for its occupants.
From any angle, the Grand C4 Picasso is an impressive seven-seat MPV. Bold styling; with sweeping contours of innovative design give you an attractive yet purposeful road presence. And the driving experience is exceptional. It has a wide range of features as standard that make for a comfortable, enjoyable and safe journey for you and up to six passengers.
A five-star Euro NCAP safety rating means the Grand C4 Picasso is one of the safest cars on the road. You only have to look at the security and safety specifications of the Grand C4 Picasso to understand how important driver and passenger protection is to Citroën, especially in a vehicle that can effortlessly carry seven people or large heavy loads.
Active features and aids that adapt to your driving needs, such as an automatic parking brake, dual zone climate control with air vents for all 3 seating rows, ESP, cruise control with speed limiter and multiple airbags come as standard, so convenience and passenger protection are at the heart of the Grand C4 Picasso, along with great handling, fuel economy and ample comfortable space for passengers and luggage.
The extensive use of glass gives great all round visibility. A raised, fully adjustable driving position and panoramic views of the road through a wide-angle, acoustically designed windscreen combine to give you unrivalled vision that helps to reduce driver fatigue.
The Grand C4 Picasso will be priced at RM168,000 with two-year or 100,000km warranty. It is powered by a 16-valve 2-litre engine that develops 103 kW EEC (143 bhp DIN) with maximum torque of 200 Nm available at 4,000 rpm. The engine features variable valve timing (VVT), to optimise filling of the combustion chambers, irrespective of engine speed.This engine is mated to an automatic 4-speed transmission system and it is Euro IV-compliant for environmental protection.
Brookland Motors Sdn Bhd is now the sole importer and distributor of Citroen automobiles in Malaysia. Having invested more than RM7 million setting up 3S (Sales, Service n Spares) centres in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Baru and Kota Kinabalu, existing owners of Citreon cars have every reason to rejoice in confidence. In addition, more 3S centres will be up and running in Petaling Jaya, Ipoh and Kuantan soon.
To kick start things, the new Citroen Grand Picasso MPV (pictured below) is slated for launch sometime next year. However, it remains to be seen whether the sleek all-new C5 will make it to Malaysian shores as well.
Citroen has updated its mid-size C5 for 2008, revealing a very sleek, modern and neat looking executive sedan and estate. This C-segment vehicle features Citroen’s air suspension dubbed Hydractive 3 Plus, offering self-leveling via continuously self-adjusting spring and variable damping rates (Sport and Comfort). The high-spec C5 will have NaviDrive system i.e. GPS navigation plus phone function and audio with display interface on a 7 inch LCD.
Click on images to enlarge
The new Citroen C5 is longer and wider than its predecessor, powered via its front axle (FWD) by options of two petrol engines and four HDi turbodiesels. Mostly for the European market, base diesel model is the 1.6 HDi with 110hp, followed by a 2.0L HDi with 138hp. Next up is the 2.2L twin-turbo HDi with 173hp, while the range-topping oil burner will be the 2.7L V6 twin-turbo VGT HDi with 208hp.
Petrol 4-cylinder blocks include a 127hp 1.8L and a 2.0L with 143hp. These are the most probable engine options for the Malaysian market, should local distributor Brookland Motors decide to launch this all-new C5 next year.