Citroen Debuts New C-Elysee and C4 L

Citroën is targeting the world's most populous automotive segment, the compact saloon market with some 20 million registrations in 2011 or close to a third of all worldwide passenger car sales, with not one but two new models, the C-Elysée and C4 L. As you may have already guessed by now, the C-Elysée is the Citroën flavored version of Peugeot's budget compact sedan, the newly announced 301, with the two cars sharing the same body but bespoke fasicas, wheels and tail lamps.
The French brand says the C-Elysée will be manufactured in Spain and will be sold in Turkey, Spain, Central Europe and Algeria before the end of 2012.
The sedan model rides on a 2.65m long wheelbase and has large boot capacity of 506 litres. Depending on the market, the C-Elysée will be available with the latest generation VTi 97bhp petrol engine.
Citroën's second compact sedan is the more upscale C4 L, which is based on the firm's C4 hatchback. Interestingly, the C4 L is the first production Citroën to de designed by the brand's Shanghai style center in China.
According to the French automaker, the C4 L will be produced in each of the zones where it will be sold, including Wuhan, China by the end of 2012, and Kaluga, Russia in the first half of 2013.
Citroën claims that the C4 L will offer a "lounge-like rear compartment" with "wraparound seats, backrests inclined to 29° and headrests designed for added comfort". Available features include hands-free access and start, touch-screen GPS, reversing camera, fully heated windscreen and air ionizer
Buyers will have a choice of three gasoline engines, the BMW Group and PSA co-developed THP 150 and 170, and the VTi 135, all of which can be linked to a new automatic or a sequential 6-speed transmission.
Thanks to Bruno for the tip!

CITROEN C-ELYSEE

Citroën Facelifts Berlingo and Jumpy/Dispatch Vans for 2012

Citroën has revealed the facelifted versions of its Berlingo and Jumpy (called Dispatch in Britain) minivans. Depending on the market, the Berlingo and the larger Jumpy/Dispatch are offered in both passenger and commercial variants. In Britain, Citroën has provided initial details on the Berlingo Multispace and the Dispatch Combi, which are the passenger models of the series.
Starting with the smaller Berlingo Multispace, which is available in five- and seven-seat variants, the French firm's minivan gains a wider and more defined grille, a new chevron badge and a new headlight arrangement that can optionally include LEDs.
Other notable changes on the outside include the redesigned exterior mirrors and new alloy wheel designs, while Citroën also introduced an optional "Black Pack" styling kit with Onyx Black trim on the top of the front bumper, side mirrors, side strips and rear number plate moulding.
Inside, the updated Berlingo Multispace gets a new assortment of colors and higher quality materials throughout the interior.
Customers can choose from several engines including the e-HDi 90HP Airdream diesel with Stop & Start and a six-speed automated manual transmission, the HDi 75HP and HDi 90HP diesel units. The latter now deliver reduced emissions (135g/km down from 139g/km).
Moving on to the larger Dispatch Combi than can accommodate up to nine passengers, the 2012 model sports a new face with a chromed grille featuring the brand’s updated chevron design.
Citroen notes that it has reduced the Dispatch's CO2 emissions by adding new aerodynamic panels underneath the body and a ‘volt control’ function to optimize battery charge management by the alternator.
The 2012 Dispatch Combi is optionally available with the newly introduced "Grip Control" traction control with four modes: normal, all-terrain, snow and sand.
Engine options include the HDi 160HP diesel with a new six-speed automatic transmission, and the HDi 95, HDi 125 and HDi 160 engines with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Citroen said that final UK specification and pricing details for both the 2012 Berlingo Multispace and Dispatch Combi will be released closer to their launch date on April 2.

PHOTO GALLERY

Vive la DS! Ugo Spagnolo Imagines the Duchesses’ 2019 Successor

Ask any French car fan what the most beautiful and technically advanced executive sedan of the 1950s was and most will reply, “The Citroen DS.” You only need to look at the styling of some of the DS’s competition – take the Alfa Romeo 1900 Ti, Austin A95 Westminster or BMW 501/6 for example – to see just how far ahead of its time it was.
Here was a car with a fully independent and auto-leveling suspension set up, front power disc brakes, power steering, a fiberglass roof and a hydraulically operated clutch and transmission. And the styling...
So if there’s any car worthy of a modern day revival, it’s the venerable DS. While studying at France’s Institut Superieur de Design, design student Ugo Spagnolo took on this challenge as part of his internship with Citroen.

With Spagnolo’s drawings at hand and the help of his friends at the institute, the 3D renders and animation were produced. It is said to have garnered favorable reviews from Citroen Styling Director Jean-Pierre Ploue.
Infusing the DS’s 64-year-old styling with the new Citroen design language introduced through concepts like the Revolt and Survolt, the DS24 is a real looker. With aggressive haunches, sliding rear doors, an almost Corvette-like nose and shapely rump, the Nouveau DS was imagined for Citroen’s Centenary in 2019.
And the interior does not fail to disappoint either, with its pulsing blue transmission tunnel suggesting the raw energy of the car’s hydrogen power source. Is it just me, or does that seem to be designer’s engine-of-choice these days?

2019 Citroen DS Design & 3D animation, students project

Ugo Spagnolo, designer.
Aurelien Petit, 3d digital designer.
Benoit Louzaouen, 3d digital designer.
Guillaume Vasseur, 3d digital designer.

Citroën E-3POD Antistatic Concept for a Futuristic Electric Vehicle

This here is the E-3POD Antistatic design study and it was revealed at the Royal College of Art’s Interim Degree Show in London as part of the Double Challenge project sponsored by Citroën and aerodynamic simulation software company EXA. The task of the second year students was to envision an ultra-compact vehicle that could influence the design language of the automaker’s future electric cars.

Created by Heikki Juvonen, the E-3POD Antistatic was favored by the judges due to its “bold and engaging take on an urban three wheel electric vehicle”. Winning the competition gives the talented student the opportunity to work at the PSA Design Center in Paris for six months.
“I’m thrilled Citroën selected my design as their favorite 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”, Heikki said.
According to the designer, the single-seater electric trike is meant for urban commuting, but it doesn’t replace cars. Instead, it could be an addition to future households, positioned between bikes and cars.
The E-3POD has a simple, lightweight construction and excellent aerodynamics meaning that it can be powered by a small battery, which in turn reduces manufacturing costs and final price, making the theoretical production version affordable.
The advantages of the E-3POD reside in its small footprint, allowing for easy parking, and closed cockpit, which, unlike bicycles and public transport, creates a “comfortable and isolated personal space”. Furthermore, the short overall length transforms the design study into an agile vehicle, excellent for tackling heavy urban traffic.
“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 recognized 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”, said Philippe Holland, Responsable Style Graphique at Citroën.