2010 Citroen Lacoste Concept

Citroen Lacoste Concept is an emblem for a state-of-mind and a lifestyle, it positioned at the crossroads of the automotive world, where fashion and sport meet.

Stylishly minimalist and elegantly laid-back, the Citroën Lacoste instantly attracts with its off-beat sports aesthetic. It features a high waistline; bulging and textured wings; minimum overhangs front and rear; and golf ball-style alloy wheels, placed in the furthest corners of the body.

2010 Citroen Lacoste Concept opts for a 3-cylinder petrol engine with plenty of performance on tap to power a vehicle of this size and weight. With its light timbre, the flexible, economical and ecological powerplant is a perfect match for the car’s “back to essentials” nature.

Compact and robust (at 3.45m long, 1.80m wide, 1.52m high and with a 2.30m wheelbase), the body paint in pearlescent white, which is set off by dark blue design motifs and strips underlining the forms of the vehicle. Cabin access couldn’t be easier, since the doors have been replaced by broad cut-outs that are in perfect harmony with the body styling.

The compartments are discreetly located under the dashboard and within the two bench seats – with sliding covers that echo the colour of the upholstery. The seats themselves are overstitched in white cotton, with a weave closely resembling that of a polo shirt – an iconic Lacoste design.

Strictly speaking this car has no fixed roof. In its place is a T-shaped structure that extends back to the boot like a “backbone”. An auto-inflatable hood deploys all the way along the backbone to form a soft-top roof.

The front and rear lights are discreet to the point of being almost invisible. Concealed under the car’s dark blue bodywork, they can be seen only when illuminated. As well as providing visual purity, this design choice delivers a unique and almost magical sight.

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2011 Citroen C4 Picasso

2011 model year the five-seat Citroen C4 Picasso and seven-seat Citroen Grand C4 Picasso minivans that will get their first public outing at the Paris Motor Show later this week. UK sales of the new Citroon C4 Picasso range will start in from 1st October.

Both model benefit from new styling elements including Citroen’s new chevron design on the front grille and tailgate, a restyled front bumper, new headlights and rear light clusters, plus LED daytime running lights for the higher grade VTR+ and Exclusive models.

Little different at VTR+ models get chrome side window sills and a chrome rear bumper strip, while the C4 Picasso Exclusive is now offered with a ‘Black Top’ option which adds a glossy black finish to the roof, A-pillars and exterior door handles, door mirrors and alloy wheel centre caps. Interior upgrades are limited to new materials and colors for the upholstery. Also added standard equipment on the VTR+, which gets rear parking sensors, electrically folding mirrors, a USB socket and Bluetooth, and the Exclusive which benefits from 17-inch alloys, new upholstery USB and Bluetooth connectivity and the new Citroën eTouch Emergency & Assistance System.

It is offer Citroën’s new e-HDi micro-hybrid technology, which combines a second-generation Stop & Start system with an e-booster function that re-starts the engine instantly (0.4 seconds), a reversible alternator that recovers energy during braking, and a Euro 5 1.6-liter HDi 110hp DPFS engine with a 6-speed EGS transmission.

With this powertrain setup, the C4 Picasso delivers a combined fuel economy of up to 58.9mpg UK (Grand C4 Picasso: 57.6mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of between 125g/km and 132g/km.

Both MPVs get a new 2.0-liter HDi 150hp diesel engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which delivers a combined cycle fuel economy of 49.6mpg UK. A 2.0-liter HDi 160hp with a 6-speed automatic gearbox is also newly available on Exclusive models.

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2011 Citroen C4 e-Hdi

As already posted once that Citroen C4 will be available Citroen’s new micro-hybrid powertrains e-Hdi, with the theme of environmentally friendly hybrid car was created. The boasts 109g/km CO2 emissions.

Citroen C4 e-Hdi exhibits a new level of interior quality from the French firm. There are lots of buttons around the cabin, but the overall look is one of decent quality. The EGS clutch-less transmission is standard in this e-HDi model, meaning a raised centre console with a cool looking lever for gear selection – incorporated neatly. Space is good too, with leg- and headroom generous for four adults, while a large boot means there’s plenty of luggage space, too.

The C4 is powered by a 110bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine mated to what Citroen (and many rivals) call a micro-hybrid system. That’s slightly misleading as it’s not a hybrid in a conventional sense; instead it’s a generator-starter motor. That gives the e-HDi micro-hybrid stop-start capability, helping reduce its emissions and improve fuel economy.

Citroen is making a big deal of the C4 e-HDi’s 109g/km CO2 emissions and 64.2mpg economy, but among its green rivals that’s only average performance. Citroen has a 99g/km C4 in the pipeline, but the e-HDi is already playing catch up with established rivals, despite being an all-new proposition.

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2010 Citroen C-Zero Hybrid

There may still remember my previous post on the introduction of the Citroen C-ZERO the first time. It’s a Citroen-badged Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Like its French cousin Peugeot – which offers its own version called the i0n – Citroen has added an electric car to its range by buying off the peg.

It’s a good looking car, in that slightly quirky, modern city car style that the Japanese excel at. It suits the Citroen badges then, as the French company has a long history of avant-garde design.

Citroen C-ZERO is all about its powertrain. It’s a plug-in electric vehicle, with a lithium ion battery pack and electric motor powering it. It requires a seven-hour charge to completely fill those batteries – or a 30-minute quick charge to 80 percent if you can find a high voltage power outlet. Its range is about 80 miles in normal use.

Like as Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV, Citroen has added a more conventional automatic transmission to the C-Zero. Instead of the multi-mode item in the Mitsubishi the C-Zero simply offers you Drive, Reverse, Park and Neutral. The means by which the C-Zero differentiates its power delivery and driving modes is via a two-stage accelerator. Use the first portion of travel and the C-Zero is in Eco mode, though push through and it gives you all of its power. Nothing radical there then.

It does give Citroen a lead in the UK market, but Nissan’s Leaf is going to be a very tough rival for the C-Zero and its Mitsubishi and Peugeot badged relatives.

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2010 Art Car Citroen Survolt Concept

The Marseille- born artist took Citroen’s all-electric Survolt concept racer and adorned it with a psychedelic, fluorescent paint scheme. Not one for Citroen is displaying several of its new production and concept cars including a Survolt racer turned-art-car.

According to the French carmaker, the contemporary artist was one of the sources of inspiration for the styling of the original Survolt. The Italian artist won first prize in Citroen’s Créative Awards, beating out some 700 other entrants. Melchiorre’s car will be launched next year along with other DS3 personalization options.

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2011 Citroen C4

The new Citroen C4 boasts a real positive energy – with exceptional levels of quality, style, interior space and occupant comfort, as well as responsive handling and impressive environmental credentials. It will be produced at the Mulhouse PSA Peugeot Citroen plant in France and will premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September 2010.

2011 Citroen C4 is stability and balanced proportions design. Defined and flowing surfaces, such as the purposeful front end and rear spoiler, hint at the model’s optimised aerodynamics. The tasteful addition of chrome detailing combines with the dynamic headlight styling and sculpted alloy wheels to give the new model a premium presence. It has .33m long, 1.79m wide and 1.49m high.

Citroen C4 has some features of existing technology, such as EGS (Electronic Gearbox System), hill start assist, automatic electric parking brake, Lane Departure Warning System and Xenon dual-function directional headlamps, Citroën C4 will be available with convenient and useful new technologies – some of which are unique to the segment. These include a new blind-spot monitoring system, a cornering light function, cruise control and speed-limiter with road speed memory settings, and an innovative new service called eTouch.

New C4 uses the latest Citroen technology to reduce its environmental impact. New Citroen C4 will be available with Citroen’s new micro-hybrid e-HDi powertrains, which feature the latest generation Stop & Start system that helps deliver CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km at launch – and 99g/km on future models. Michelin Energy™ Saver tyres are also specified to help achieve these low emissions and to boost fuel economy. The control of the car’s overall weight – in spite of the increased dimensions and added equipment – has been achieved using new technologies, such as laser welding, in the model’s construction.

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2011 Citroen DS3 R3 Rally Car

2011 Citroen DS3 R3 is versatile car, high performance and yet affordably-priced. It will be available in both in kit and ready-to-race versions. The Citroen DS3 R3 Rally car comes with an upgraded 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four producing 210bhp and 350Nm / 258.2 lb-ft of peak torque with the steel body shell reinforced by a welded, multi-point roll cage.

The DS3 R3 is equipped with a six-speed sequential transmission, which the company claims allows for gear changes to be made twice as quickly over a manual gearbox. The suspension has been redesigned and upgraded to make full use of the Group R regulations, allowing for a wide variety of setup options. Rally-spec alloy wheels and a reworked braking system are also part of the package.

View more details, check out the complete list below and click images to view Gallery:

TARMAC RACING KIT (500 PARTS)

• Racing engine, assembled and bench-tested, ready to be mounted
• Gearbox, assembled and bench-tested, ready to be mounted
• Reinforced body shell, with roll-cage and seat attachment brackets and accessories (handbrake, ECUs, spare wheel, mounting brackets)
• Reinforced engine sub-frame
• Protective skidplate for engine and exhaust
• Adjustable front and rear suspension elements
• Reinforced hub carriers
• Adjustable specific front suspension wishbones
• Maximum size front and rear brake discs
• Front and rear specific brake callipers
• Reinforced rear axle
• Set of rear axle geometry adjustment shims
• Direct power-steering rack
• Specific braking system
• Specific ‘pedal box’ assembly
• Tarmac 7×17” wheels
• Fuel system with FIA-homologated tank
• Specific engine and gearbox cooling system
• Air/high-capacity air exchanger and specific booster circuit
• Aviation type electrical system with digital instrument panel display
• Data acquisition system built into the injection unit
• Roof-mounted air intake
• Glossy dashboard strip
• Specific wheel arch protections
• Front and rear tow straps
• Spare wheel straps

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:

• Gravel rallying adaptation kit, including shock absorbers, springs, anti-roll bar, front brake discs, 6×15” gravel wheels and bodywork protective covers
• Short or long torque settings
• Co-driver footrest
• Citroën Racing rear-view mirrors
• FIA-homologated crash panel doors
• Xenon headlamp assembly
• 64MB data acquisition unit upgrade
• Specific mapping for racing fuel
• Tool kit, including: wheel hub fitting tool, brake fluid bleed device, steering rack shim
• Springs of varying levels of stiffness
• Anti-roll bar of varying diameters
• Standard bodywork spare parts kit

EQUIPMENT NOT INCLUDED IN THE KIT:

• Seats
• Harness
• Fire extinguishers
• Battery
• Spare wheel
• Jack and tyre-changing accessories
• Radio equipment and on-board computer
• FIA-approved anti-shatter protective film
• Tyres

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
CHASSIS

• Structure Reinforced body with welded, multi-point roll cage
• Bodywork DS3 THP 150 with specific roof-mounted air intake and rear-view mirrors

ENGINE

• Type 1.6 THP PSA
• Bore x stroke 77×85.8 mm
• Capacity 1,598cc
• Maximum power 210bhp at 4,750rpm
• Specific output 131.4bhp/litre
• Distribution Double overhead camshaft valve train
• Breaker arm with adapted cam profile
• Specific pistons, connecting rods, engine flywheel and camshaft
• Fuel feed Direct injection
• Motorized single throttle valve

CLUTCH

• Type Thrust mechanism
• 184mm cerametallic twin-disk

TRANSMISSION

• Type Front-wheel drive
• Gearbox Six-speed sequential
• Control Electronically controlled with steering wheel-mounted paddle
• Differential Self-locking type ZF differential

BRAKES

• Front Ventilated disks, 330×30mm (tarmac) and 300×30mm (gravel)
• 4-piston callipers
• Rear 300×8mm discs
• 2-piston callipers
• Distribution Adjustable
• Handbrake Hydraulic control

SUSPENSION

• Front McPherson type
• Specific hinges and hub carriers
• Rear H-shaped axles
• Shock absorbers BOS three-track adjustable shock absorbers (low-and high-speed compression and rebound)
• Adjustable hydraulic bump stop

STEERING

• Type Hydraulic power-assisted steering

WHEELS

• Tarmac 7×17” wheels
• BFGoodrich 200/50/R17 tyres
• Gravel 6×15” wheels
• BFGoodrich 195/70/R15 tyres

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES

• Length 3,948mm
• Width 1,715mm
• Wheel base 2,465mm
• Track 1,520mm (front) – 1,490mm (rear)
• Fuel tank 67 litres
• Weight 1,230kg with driver pairing (regulations)
• Weight distribution 64/36% (front/rear)

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2010 Citroen Survolt Concept Le Mans Classic

At the Le Mans Classic racing event, the Citroen Survolt Concept made its track debut this past weekend. The racing driver Vanina Ickx is daughter of Belgian Formula One pilot, Jacky Ickx.

She says “I am very proud to have participated in this unique project,”. “On the track it felt really good. It’s a real race car, with a very promising potential for the future.” Vanina said.

2010 Citroen Survolt Concept powered by a pair of electric motors that deliver up to 300-horsepower. That’s good enough for a top speed of 260km/h [162mph] and a 0-100km/h [62mph] time of less than five seconds.

As revealed for the first time at the 2010 Geneva show, the Citroen Survolt Concept is a 3.85m-long coupe sporting a tubular frame with a full carbon body and a flat underside.

The energy for the electric motors is provided by two 140kg [309 lbs] lithium-ion batteries that offer a driving range of around 200km/h [124 miles] and can be re-charged in two hours with a specific power supply, or in 10 hours on a standard 220 Volt network.

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2010 Citroen DS High Rider Concept

Good news, Citroën will unveil the first photos of a new model or concept on Monday, August 30th, ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut. The French car maker will reveal the DS4, which is the production version of the Geneva Show Citroen DS High Rider Concept, next week – possibly, as early as Monday.

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2012 Citroen DS4

The DS4 is the production version of the French carmaker’s Geneva Salon DS High Rider concept car. Citroen describes the DS4 as “a unique and attractive blend of creativity, dynamism, exclusivity and versatility”, which in reality translates to a potpourri of design influences from numerous cars and segments ranging from the coupe-esque roofline and hidden rear door handles, to the almost crossover-like road clearance.

This car will reach European showrooms in 2011 at the Paris motorshow.

Interior by the French automaker’s designers basically spiffed up the cabin with higher-class materials and decorative trim than the standard C4 hatch, while also offering more personalization options such as a choice of five leather combinations, including two-tone colors. It’s also equipped with high quality leather on the dashboard and door panels while all versions come with a standard large panoramic windscreen that extends backwards into the roofline.

2012 Citroen DS4 has 4.27 metres long, 1.81 metres wide and 1.53 metres high, making it 60mm shorter, 20mm wider and 40mm taller than the regular C4. It features a 370-litre boot capacity, which is 38 liters less than the C4s.

The DS4 will come with a choice of five powerplants. There are two diesel options, a 110HP 1.6-liter HDi that can be specified with stop/start tech and regenerative braking technology, and a 160HP 2.0-liter HDi. The petrol range consists of three 1.6-liter engines that were co-developed with the BMW Group and include a naturally aspirated version with 120HP, and two turbocharged variants with 155HP and 200HP. All engines are available with manual or robotized manual EGS six-speed gearboxes.

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