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  • Valeo introduces stop-start system that works while car is still in motion

    In Cars, Citroën, International News, Peugeot, Technology / By / / 12 comments

    The use of start-stop technology is now available with most new cars and is a prerequisite on eco-friendly models. These systems are occasionally called “micro hybrids” due to their minor fuel saving capabilities. Valeo, one of the companies producing this system, has announced that they will be fitting their second generation start stop technology in PSA Peugeot Citroen group cars by the third quarter of 2010.

    This new system is branded “i-StARS” and can be fitted on both auto and manual transmissions. Unlike previous versions of the start-stop system, the system can now cut off the engine even before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, so you can coast to a stand still in silence without burning any fuel. The maximum speed for the system to kick in is anything below 8km/h for auto transmissions and below 20km/h for manual transmissions.

    Apart from that, engine re-starts are supposedly “noiseless and with no vibrations” and are effortlessly done in 400 milliseconds. This naturally increases fuel efficiency and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 15 per cent in heavy traffic.

    Making it more flexible in its application within different car models, Valeo will offer i-StARS in two variants which would either be the starter-alternator or reinforced starter-based system. This strategy has secured them orders from 10 automakers to fit it within 50 vehicle models.

    Valeo plan to fit 1 million Citroen and Peugeot vehicles with their technology by 2013, so don’t be surprised to see the technology in your new Peugeot sometime soon.

     

  • PSA Peugeot Citroen may rebadge new Mitsubishi 1.0L to 1.3L compact car

    In Cars, Citroën, International News, Mitsubishi, Peugeot / By / / 30 comments


    Mitsubishi Outlander

    Apparently Mitsubishi and PSA Peugeot Citroen are working again on another project together, this time to produce compact cars with engines of between 1.0 litre to 1.3 litre capacity. An agreement is said to be announced by the end of this year.

    Apparently Mitsubishi will start making this new compact car in Thailand by the end of Q1 2012, likely under Thailand’s eco car incentive program. Production will then expand to China, India and Brazil, which are widely hailed as new fast growing emerging markets that will save the bottom line for many fat auto manufacturers while they continue to trim their operations. The European markets are where PSA will come in – they will likely be sold as Peugeots and Citroens there.

    Peugeot 4007
    Peugeot’s rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander

    Are we looking at a new Colt which will then be rebadged under the Peugeot and Citroen brands? The Japanese and French companies already have existing partnerships based on the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV and the Mitsubishi i MiEV electric car, both of which are rebadged and restyled into Peugeot and Citroen counterparts for the European market.

    PSA’s relationship with Mitsubishi falls under the supervision of newel appointed Head of Asian Operations Gregoire Olivier. A big part of Olivier’s job will be to help the company shift the focus of its business away from Europe. He will also take care of the South East Asian market. PSA Peugeot Citroen is generally said to be over-reliant on the European market, where it sells about two thirds of its cars. Europe is already pretty much mature, however most of PSA’s products are tailored for the European market, where sales volumes aren’t expected to increase anytime soon.


    Citroen’s rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander

    PSA Peugeot Citroen has to develop strong products for emerging markets in order to increase its volume and using Mitsubishi’s “Asianised” products are a good stop gap measure to get a good emerging market vehicle to sell quick without incurring high development costs of developing these products by itself. An example of a Peugeot product that it developed for the Asian market recently is the Peugeot 408, which is a lengthened sedan version of the 308 that was unveiled in China recently.

    Other than the car deals with Mitsubishi, PSA also cooperates with BMW and Ford for its petrol and diesel engines respectively, and with Fiat SpA for commercial vans and Toyota for the French versions of the Toyota Aygo. Rebadging to save development costs is happening all over the world and we shouldn’t take Proton rebadging a Mitsubishi product for a Waja replacement too negatively as it will help free up development funds for other segments with higher volumes.

     

  • 2011 Citroen C4 unveiled – details and photos

    In Cars, Citroën, International News / By / / 31 comments

    We’re sort of between the major motorshows here so it feels like we haven’t seen a news release for a major mainstream car for a very long time. Citroën have released details of the 2011 C4 that will be displayed at the Paris Motor Show this year.

    As you can see, similar design cues have been taken from the new retro-futuristic C3 that strikes an impression of strength, stability and balanced proportions. New additions include a front and rear spoiler, chrome detailing, headlights and alloy wheels that give it a special French flair.

    Inside more space has been created with the new C4 being 5cm longer, 2cm wider and 3cm taller than the previous model. It also has a 408-litre boot space which may be the biggest boot space in its class. Customisation of the internal displays such as the colour of the drivers instrument displays, a choice of polyphonic sound alerts and adjusting the intensity of the air-conditioning unit are also available. Depending on the model there may even be a massage function on the front seat.

    Added features on the new C4 also include blind-spot monitoring system, a cornering light function, cruise control and speed-limiter with road speed memory settings. Apart from that a new service called eTouch is on offer. This system lets you monitor your driving patterns and how it effects things like fuel efficiency and even provides you with advice on how to improve fuel economy. This system also informs you of the vehicle’s technical status and service requirements.

    Citroën have announced that it will include their new micro-hybrid e-HDi powertrains which feature Start-stop technology along with Michelin Energy™ Saver tyres. This helps achieve an incredible 109g/km at launch, while future models will eventually only produce 99g/km. They have also used 15 percent green materials which is recycled polyamide components.

    Unfortunately this is all that Citroen has said about the new C4′s engine offerings at the moment, but you can probably expect a similiar mix to that found in the Peugeot 308.

    Click below for a hi-res picture gallery and a video of the new C4.
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  • Citroën DS3 roof and dashboard design competition

    In Cars, Citroën, International News / By / / 4 comments

    Citroën’s DS3, the “anti-retro” rival to BMW’s MINI, was conceived as a customisable small car where unique colours and trims can be specified in (dashboard, seat, key fob) and out (floating roof, wing mirrors, rubbing strips, wheels) for each car to have its own personality. The offbeat French brand is taking this a step further; instead of just colours, future DS3 buyers will be able to choose from various motifs.

    With that in mind, Citroën has launched an international design competition, inviting aspiring designers (or anyone for that matter) to customise the DS3′s roof and dashboard. In addition to a 5,000 euro cash prize, the winning design will be presented at Citroën’s international showcase on Champs Elysees, the C_42, in October this year to mark the start of the Paris Motor Show. As an ultimate reward, the design will be put into production, available in 2011 as part of a special DS3 collection.

    A series of video briefs will be available on www.citroencreativeawards.com to give you an idea of what they’re looking for. ‘Daring’ and ‘professionalism’ are the watchwords of the jury, which will include senior representatives from GQ, the Cartier Foundation and Louis Vuitton. Last date of submission is 4 July.

    Click here to view images of the DS3 Racing that was unveiled at Geneva for some inspiration.

     

  • GALLERY: Haunting images of the Citroën Metropolis

    In Cars, China, Citroën, Concept Cars, International News / By / / 69 comments

    This is the Citroën Metropolis concept car, which shows off the French brand’s typical wackiness on a long limo body. To make its debut at the World Expo in Shanghai, the Metropolis was created by PSA’s Shanghai design studio as a “homage to China’s extraordinary development” and is meant to convey the country’s “avantgarde status, grandeur and vitality”.

    The imposing 5.3 m long/2.0 m wide limo is a plug in hybrid powered by an electric motor and a 2.0-litre V6 petrol engine. Combined, 460 bhp and 430 Nm of torque is channeled to all wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

    This latest gallery after the jump is as dramatic as the car itself. For more about the Metropolis, see our previous post here.
    Read more ›

     

  • PSA Peugeot Citroen to rebadge Mitsubishi ASX

    In Cars, Citroën, International News, Mitsubishi, Peugeot / By / / 30 comments

    PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi have announced that the Mitsubishi ASX (called RVR in Japan) will be built for PSA Peugeot Citroen. This comes as no surprise considering how many other “rebadge” deals PSA and Mitsubishi have been having in the past – the Outlander rebadged as the 4007 and C-Crosser as well as the i-MiEV rebadged as the Peugeot iOn and the Citroen C-zero.

    The Peugeot and Citroen versions of the Mitsubishi ASX will have their own styling, much like what they did for the Outlander project. PSA Peugeot Citroen will be using its own 1.6 litre HDi turbodiesel for its versions of the ASX. They are targetting a fuel consumption of 4.7 litres per 100km for the two wheel drive version. An all-wheel drive version will also be available.

    Look after the jump for pictures of the original RVR. The two photos you see above are Theophilus Chin‘s impressions of what Peugeot and Citroen versions of the RVR/ASX might look like.
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  • Citroen DS High Rider interior shots just released

    In Cars, Citroën, Concept Cars / By / / 9 comments

    We’ve already seen the exterior of Citroen’s DS High Rider Concept at Geneva earlier this year, but now Citroen has unveiled the interior photos. The interior door panels are trimmed with a graduated grey to gold shading that’s supposed to match the golden tone of the DS High Rider Concept car’s golden exterior paintwork. You can also spot a colour screen in the centre console and the ‘Hybrid’ badge just below the gear stick. Look after the jump for the rest of the interior shots.
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  • Citroën pays homage to China with Metropolis concept

    In Cars, China, Citroën, Concept Cars / By / / 17 comments

    Citroën should be one of the few remaining carmakers who believe that concept cars must deliver shock and awe above all – their recent creations like the GTbyCitroen, Revolte and the Survolt from Geneva look like beings from another planet. Their latest concept, Metropolis, takes all that wackiness and puts it in a limo body.

    The French carmaker says that the Metropolis “pays homage to China’s extraordinary development” and reflects China’s “avantgarde status, grandeur and vitality”. What? Created by Citroën’s international design team – based in Shanghai since 2008 – the Metropolis will be on show in the French Pavilion at the 2010 Expo in Shanghai from 1st May to 31st October this year.

    The Metropolis’ silhouette is imposing (5.3m long, 2m wide, 1.4m high), blending taut lines with smooth surfaces. Up front, the sculpted wings and kite-shaped grille hint at recent Citroen concepts. The headlamps have an “imperious and steely look” according to its maker. At the rear, there’s an active spoiler and Citroën’s signature concave rear window. Wrapping up is a ‘Pearl Silk’ body colour that changes under different light conditions.

    This car is a plug in hybrid which consists of a 2.0-litre V6 petrol and a 7-speed, dual-clutch gearbox. At low speeds, the limo runs in zero emissions mode, its electric motor developing a continuous 55 bhp, peaking at 95bhp. At steady speeds, the engine provides 272 bhp and 375 Nm. When additional performance is required, both sources combine for 460 bhp and 430 Nm of torque channeled to all wheels. The Metropolis sits on Citroën’s Hydractive suspension, of course.

    More pictures after the jump.
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  • Mitsubishi sells 100,000 i-MiEVs to a single buyer?

    In Cars, Citroën, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Mitsubishi, Peugeot / By / / 16 comments

    Yes, that’s true, and the buyer in question is PSA Peugeot Citroën. Mitsubishi has announced the signing of a “Final Cooperative Agreement” that will see the French giant purchase 100,000 units of the i-MiEV electric car. PSA will market the rebadged i-MiEV as the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero. Both French badged cars will go on sale in Europe by the end of this year, starting with their domestic market.

    This sealed deal comes just after both parties failed to agree terms for a capital alliance in the style of Renault and Nissan. Mitsubishi Motors CEO Osamu Masuko and PSA chief Philippe Varin met at Geneva and jointly released a statement that a capital tie-up would not be realistic although both companies would continue to expand business ties.

    Besides this latest deal, which would help Mitsubishi achieve better economies of scale for an expensive project, PSA also bases its Peugeot 4007 and Citroen C-Crosser on the Japanese maker’s Outlander SUV.

     

  • GQbyCitroen – design brief by GQ magazine

    In Cars, Citroën, Concept Cars / By / / 10 comments

    The GQbyCitroen concept is a concept car styled by GQ magazine’s editorial team and executed by Citroen’s design team, including Mark Lloyd, the man who was responsible for the new Citroen DS3′s design. If this is the case shouldn’t it be more like a CitroenbyGQ rather than a GQbyCitroen?

    In any case, the car looks like a 2-seater to me. It’s just a concept so Citroen can probably say whatever they want in terms of what’s powering it but in this case they’ve chosen a plug-in hybrid system based around a 1.6 litre direct injection turbocharged inline-4 – probably the same 1.6 litre Prince engine found in nearly all of their cars now. 0 to 100km/h is quoted to be 4.5 seconds while CO2 emissions are just 80 g/km of CO2.

    Despite the car being released somewhere around the Geneva Motorshow, the car was never shown at the show. Does a physical versions exist? Look after the jump for more shots of the GQbyCitroen and a ‘making of’ video.
    Read more ›

     
 
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