Citroen

Citroen C-ZERO - no local emissions, no fuel consumption, no engine noise

By Jeff Salton

19:41 November 15, 2009 PST

After building more than 5,500 electric vehicles, Citroen is calling on its experience in the field to deliver a “triple zero” car - zero fuel consumption, zero CO2 emission at the tailpipe and zero engine noise. The C-ZERO (what else could they call it) is a full electric city car powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 47kW or 64bhp EEC from 3,000 to 6,000rpm. Citroen says the automatic vehicle will have a top speed of 130kph (80mph), acceleration from 0-100kph (0-62mph) in 15 seconds and 60-90kph (37-56mph) in six seconds. Between charges, the vehicles is expected to achieve a range of around 130km (80 miles). Read More

France to spend US$2.2 billion on network of electric car charging stations

By Jeff Salton

19:15 October 11, 2009 PDT

As France’s car-makers push their plans to increase sales and give motorists more electric and hybrid-powered vehicle choices, the French Government has added its support by announcing it intends to spend €1.5 billion (about US$2.2 billion) on creating a battery-charging network for electric vehicles across the country. Part of its spend will also go towards further encouragement of clean vehicle technology and battery manufacturing. Read More

Teleavia type P111 - high definition TV circa 1958

By Gizmag Team

14:49 October 4, 2009 PDT

Michael Bennett-Levy's extraordinary collection of early technologies went under the hammer at Bonhams in London on Wednesday with 90% of the 758 lots on offer sold for a total of £683,384. A tidy sum no doubt, but having had the opportunity to examine the treasure trove closely, and the benefit of speaking at length to Bennett-Levy about the significance of key items, we can't help but conclude that many pieces were a steal for shrewd investors. The largest privately held collection of early televisions in the world - including 26 pre-war sets - made up a large slice of the auction and in the first of a series of interviews, Michael Bennett-Levy talks to Gizmag about outstanding items in his collection, starting with the much sought after Teleavia type P111, a rare 1958 console-stand television by Citroën DS designer Flaminio Bertroni that was not only a hallmark in style, but also one of the earliest examples of high-definition TV. Read More

Citroen's REVOLTe - the electric 2CV

By Gizmag Team

09:44 September 15, 2009 PDT

Citroen showed an ultra-chic plug-in REVOLTe hybrid concept inspired by its iconic 2CV at the Frankfurt Motorshow. Compact, with a visually-stunning low stance, REVOLTe measures just 3.68m long, 1.73m wide and 1.35m tall. Apart from the drive train, the most interesting feature is its original and distinctive three-seater layout - driver’s seat to one side with two passenger seats behind it - is designed to resemble a lounge, with the rear seats taking the form of a contemporary sofa. Read More

Citroen shows off the new C3

By Gizmag Team

04:02 September 6, 2009 PDT

Citroen’s task in redesigning the best-selling C3 was not an enviable one – how do you better a car that is still selling strongly, with more than two million units on the road. We’ll see the finished product at Frankfurt later this month, but the brand’s new ‘Visiodrive’ certainly looks the goods with its huge windscreen, remarkable interior space and what Citroen claims will be “astonishing” road behavior. Read More

GTbyCitroen to star at Goodwood Festival of Speed

By Noel McKeegan

04:48 June 17, 2009 PDT

This year’s Festival of Speed is almost upon us and as usual, a stellar array of go-fast-gear will assemble to take on the famous 1.16-mile Goodwood Hill. Among the highlights will be the GTbyCitroën, an outlandish concept car designed for the virtual world of Gran Turismo 5 that first appeared in its real world guise at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Read More

The UK's first four-seat, all-electric production car goes on sale

By Paul Evans

14:24 May 3, 2009 PDT

The first all-electric family car went on sale in the United Kingdom over the weekend. Electric Car Corporation Plc has launched a lithium ion battery-powered, all-electric version of the Citroen C1, called the C1 ev'ie. Unlike the previous largest selling electric vehicle in Britain – the Indian-built Reva G-Wiz, which was legally classed as a quadricycle – the C1 ev’ie is a proper car, albeit a mini car. Read More

Citroen tests the world’s first hybrid WRC rally car

By Mike Hanlon

03:25 April 10, 2009 PDT

Citroen Racing has started testing its Citroen C4 Hybrid World Rally Car, proving that its technological showcase is much more than just a motor show model and that it is paving the way for low consumption, low emission, low noise motor sport cars of the future. Just hours after winning its fourth World Rally Championship event of the season, Citroen driver Dani Sordo took the new car testing in Portugal. Read More

What Diesel Car of the Year Awards 2009

By Mike Hanlon

00:59 April 8, 2009 PDT

The UK's What Diesel magazine is celebrating its 21st year of publication and focuses on one of the few growth areas of the automotive market – the diesel world. Each year its writers and readers vote to award the best diesel car in each category and this year the Car of the Year honour has gone to Ford's new “world car” the Ford Fiesta. Jaguar scored the best executive diesel and second overall with the XF, Volkswagen got three awards (Medium car, coupe and the green award), Citroën grabbed two gongs with the C3 Picasso (best MPV) and C5 Tourer (Best Estate Car) and the Land Rover Freelander 2 won the 4x4 class for the third year running. Read More

2008 Paris Motor Show round-up

By Noel McKeegan

19:37 October 19, 2008 PDT

As the curtain falls on the Paris Motor Show for 2008 we take a look back at some of the biggest surprises and brightest innovations to emerge from this massive global automotive extravaganza. As a starting point it's hard to go past Lamborghini, which emulated its 2007 most-talked-about crown by showing its Estoque concept. As a mid-engined four-door coupé with a V10 motor and permanent four-wheel drive, it's not really eco-inspired but a weapon to behold for the family man. Mazda definitely made our short-list for the most striking design with the aerodynamic Kiyora Urban compact and Citroen also floated some compelling concepts including the colorful Hypnos luxury hybrid crossover and the virtual-meets-real-world GTbyCITROEN which will appear on-screen in the next installment of Gran Turismo. Read More

Citroen takes wraps off Hypnos Concept Car

By Noel McKeegan

00:18 October 9, 2008 PDT

Teaser pics of the Citroën Hypnos first surfaced last month and more details have now been revealed to coincide with the unveiling of the outlandish crossover concept at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Pitched as a hybrid in terms of both technology and styling, the dynamically proportioned Hypnos attempts to marry the elegance of an executive saloon with the volumes of a cross-over while at the same time showcasing the company's HYmotion4 technology - a diesel hybrid drivetrain featuring a rear axle-mounted electric motor which optimizes dynamic performance and traction while keeping fuel consumption down to 4.5 l/100 km (60+mpg) and emissions at 120 g/km of CO2). What really sets the car apart however is the candy-shop "color therapy" interior - sunglasses may be required. Read More

GTbyCITROEN brings Gran Turismo 5 to life

By Noel McKeegan

17:52 October 2, 2008 PDT

It may be destined for the game console rather than the garage, but the GTbyCITROËN concept is still one of the most outlandish examples of automotive design to emerge from the 2008 Paris Motor Show where it's making its global debut. The car is the result of a collaboration between Citroën and the creators of Gran Turismo and will appear in its virtual form in the 5th installment of the popular Playstation game. The imposing real world version stands at five meters long and features a wrap around windscreen, gullwing doors, huge air intakes and an over-sized, mobile rear spoiler. Not surprisingly for a car inspired by a computer game, tech specifications for the GTbyCITROËN are a little light on, although within the game it will do its bit for the promotion of greener motoring with a fuel cell powered electric drive train that's totally emissions free (apart from the electricity running the console of course). Read More

Mazda’s Smart Idle Stop System uses Direct Injection Engine Technology

By Jack Martin

20:12 September 8, 2008 PDT

September 9, 2008 The imperatives of better fuel economy and reduced emissions are breeding some fascinating developments of the good ol’ Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). One of the most logical ideas could have been invented by any schoolboy – turn off the engine when it isn’t being used. VW was the first to trial the idea and BMW, MINI, smart, Citroen and Peugeot have followed suit, all using electrical power to restart the engine, requiring beefed up starting systems to cope with ever-more-congested urban conditions (25% of European driving time is now spent at standstill). Now Mazda has come up with a better idea - restarting the engine through combustion. Mazda’s system initiates engine restart by injecting fuel directly into the cylinder while the engine is stopped, and igniting it to generate downward piston force. Read More

The spell-binding Citroen Hypnos Concept

By Jack Martin

17:41 September 4, 2008 PDT

With the 2008 Paris Motor Show just a few weeks away, the world’s oldest automotive industry is getting set to strut its stuff on home ground. Not surprisingly, the French like to save the best for the Paris Show and this year, Citroën is unveiling the Hypnos. An elegant cross-over vehicle, Hypnos draws on a range of creative technologies to deliver performance and environmental efficiency, combined with subtle but powerful motoring sensations. Powerful, flowing and expressive, the exterior styling identifies the car as one to rouse the emotions. If you’re wondering about the image, that’s the interior – pretty amazing heh what? Read More

First UK showing of Citroën’s C-Métisse concept supercar

By Noel McKeegan

22:33 June 1, 2008 PDT

June 2, 2008 Citroën’s C-Métisse concept will be among the smorgasbord of automotive eye-candy on offer at this year's Festival of Speed at Goodwood. The appearance will be the first in the UK for the 155mph supercar which debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2006. Read More

Citroen's Nemo Concetto people carrier Concept

By Noel McKeegan

20:39 December 3, 2007 PST

December 4, 2007 Citroen will roll-out a concept people carrier version of the company’s soon to be released new compact van at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy (7-16 December). Taking its name and its styling cues from the popular Disney animation "Finding Nemo", the Citroën Nemo Concetto sports the distinctive orange, black and white clownfish color scheme with the theme continuing into the vehicle's interior. Read More

Citroen lifts wraps on new C5

By Mike Hanlon

17:28 October 18, 2007 PDT

October 19, 2007 Citroen lifted the wraps off the new C5 saloon and estate versions in Paris this week. Designed to convey a real sense of prestige, the C5 includes a range of new features seen for the first time in the C4 Picasso such as a second-generation fixed-centered controls steering wheel, a seat back massage function and a choice of suspension set-ups. Read More

Drop-top Citroen C5 Airscape on show in Frankfurt

By Noel McKeegan

01:14 August 21, 2007 PDT

August 21, 2007 Citroën will reveal the new C5 Airscape concept car at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show (13th-27th September). At first glance the eye-catching, automatically folding carbon-fibre roof is the striking feature of the executive cabriolet, which also aims to showcase innovative, environmentally friendly technology including an “UrbanHybrid” management system and enhanced traction control. Read More

Loeb and Citroen back on top at Rally of Mexico

By Mike Hanlon

March 12, 2007 Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) took the Rally of Mexico today to become the first driver of the season to win two races, moving his own points score to within 4 points of Marcus Gronholm’s lead in the drivers' standings. Loeb’s 30th career victory was the first win on gravel for the new C4 car and he maintains an air of invincibility in the title chase. In the manufacturers title, a double podium by the BP-Ford World Rally Team saw it defend its sizeable points lead. Marcus Gronholm and Timo Rautiainen finished second in a Ford Focus RS World Rally Car on the demanding three-day gravel event in the mountains of central Mexico, while team-mates Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen were third in another Focus RS. As the first gravel round of the season, the dominant surface of the championship, Rally Mexico was viewed as the first true form guide for the year. Drivers tackled 20 speed tests covering 366.06km over dusty gravel tracks north and east of the rally base in León. The special stages climbed to more than 2700m and the thinner air at that altitude made it hard for engines to 'breathe'. As a result power output was reduced by about 30 per cent on usual levels. Read More

Citroen’s six wheel cruise crosser concept

By Mike Hanlon

March 7, 2007 Citroen has teamed up with the world famous Espera Sbarro School to develop the Cruise Crosser all-terrain concept car. Based on Citroen’s first SUV, the C-Crosser, also making its world debut at Geneva, the new concept features three axles and six wheels to provide outstanding traction to tackle even the harshest of off-road conditions. The vehicle is designed to tackle the roughest possible road and weather conditions. Read More

Citroen’s new C-Crosser SUV

By Mike Hanlon

October 27, 2006 Citroen has announced first details of a new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that will go on sale in Europe from summer 2007. The versatile Citroen C-Crosser boasts four-wheel drive capability, exceptional levels of space and comfort and will will be available with a new generation 156bhp 2.2HDi engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Capable of producing a whopping 380Nm of torque, this diesel power plant also boasts impressive green credentials, offering low fuel consumption, the ability to run on 30% bio-diesel and a Diesel Particulate Filter System that reduces particle emissions to virtually immeasurable levels. Read More

Renault Nepta joins Citroen C-Metisse in the French Ballet of the doors

By Mike Hanlon

September 8, 2006 Paris is renowned for the beauty of its springtime, but in autumn the spectacular sites around the beautiful capital are enhanced by the French automotive industry showcase, the Paris Motor Show. And this year the French have debuted some spectacularly elegant egress solutions offering doors that open in new ways. Yesterday we ran news of Citroen’s C-Metisse Concept – a diesel-electric, 4-seater coupe with a spectacular four door ballet command performance when the doors open to present the passengers to the pavement - the front doors open gull-wing style while the rear doors spin round. Now comes Renault’s Nepta concept car, a four-seater cabriolet with an equally dramatic and elegant egress solution in the form of motor-driven gull wing doors that open to reveal the interior and the engine. The doors pivot so high that they are fitted with electronic obstacle detectors. As is befitting the current F1 championship status of Renault, the Nepta is seriously fast with a 3.5-liter V6 powering a seven-speed automatic gearbox via F1-style steering flick-shift. The 420hp direct injection petrol engine combines outstanding performance, with low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Read More

Citroen's spectacular C-Metisse Concept

By Mike Hanlon

September 7 2006 Citroen seems to save its best concept cars for its home Paris Show and this year it has unveiled a beauty. The C-Metisse Concept will be seen in the flesh for the first time at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. With its elegant proportions, flamboyant bodywork and spectacular door design, the C-Metisse is an elegant 4-seater 4-door coupe reminiscent of the most prestigious Grand Touring vehicles. The car has a high-performance diesel hybrid drivetrain, excellent aerodynamics and a weight of just 1400 kilograms complete with batteries. C-Metisse is based on the same future-oriented solution as the C4 HDi hybrid demonstration vehicle apart from one key difference: the electric motors are installed in the rear wheels. Looking at C-Metisse is a visual shock in itself. Long (4.74 m), wide (2 m) and low (1.24 m), the car is sculptural and almost intimidating. Read More

Citroen C-Buggy off-road concept car

By Mike Hanlon

May 13, 2006 Citroen will use the Madrid International Motor Show later this month to unveil an adventurously styled C-Buggy off-road concept car. A derivative of the C-Airplay concept, the C-Buggy is Citroen’s futuristic interpretation of a two-seater, go-anywhere car. Clearly designed for warmer climes, due to the absence of a roof, windscreen and windows, the C-Buggy exudes a carefree charm whilst wide wheel arches, big wheels, glass door portholes and sump guard hint at its off-road credentials. Read More

Citroen and Loeb in WRC Rally of Corsica

By Mike Hanlon

April 10, 2006 Citroen’s World Champion, Sebastien Loeb has extended his lead in the 2006 World Rally Championship after another commanding win, notching up his 23rd WRC win at the weekend in the French round, the Rally of Corsica, with Loeb joined on the podium by fellow Citroen driver Dani Sordo. What makes the result even more remarkable is the fact that Citroen is dominating the 2006 World Rally Championship with a two year old car, built for the previous rule regime and modified for the ’06 season, while its rivals are running their latest designs. Second in the event and now a clear second in the title chase, BP-Ford World Rally Team drivers Marcus Gronholm and Timo Rautiainen claimed their fourth podium finish in five rallies by finishing second on the Rallye de France Tour de Corse. Read More