Citroen Celebrates 100,000 DS3 Sales with New Color Options

Citroen�s DS3 sales have surpassed the 100,000 mark, more than 10,000 of which have been sold in Britain alone. The French therefore have decided to celebrate the event in their own, flamboyant way, that is, by launching a new range of colors and roof designs.
Prominent among these is the, rather distinctive, Fuchsia Pink roof color with matching pink mirrors, wheel center caps, dashboard fascia and gearlever knob. This is just one choice in a wide range of personalization options with names such as �Flavio�, �Spirit� and �Flower�, which are available for the DS3 starting from July.
Henry Ford once famously quoted that people could get the Model T in �any color as long as it's black". While we're thankful that this does not apply anymore, we think this could be a little too much (a pink dashboard?). But who knows; maybe Paris Hilton, who already drives a pink Bentley, would love a matching city car.

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Citro�n Designers Answer Questions about New DS5 on Facebook

Citro�n is the latest carmaker to embrace the power of social media to communicate with its consumer base. The French company announced on Wednesday that it will host a live video web-chat on social networking site, Facebook, allowing the public to ask questions on its upcoming DS5 crossover.
The web-chat will Broadcast live from Citro�n�s C_42 building on the Champs-Elys�es in Paris between 12pm and 1pm (BST) on Friday, 24 June, with the panel including Pierre Monferrini (Project Manager for DS5), Andy Cowell (Citro�n Design Manager) and Fr�d�ric Soubirou (Designer of the Citro�n DS5).
Commenting on the upcoming event, Linda Jackson, Managing Director at Citro�n UK said: �The chance to speak first-hand with the design team behind the range is a fantastic opportunity for the public and hopefully they�ll see how passionate our designers are about the vehicles we produce.�
The DS5 is the newest addition to Citro�n�s DS lineup that currently includes the DS3 supermini and DS4 compact hatchback. Designed as a premium alternative to the French firm�s C5 series, the D-segment DS5 was introduced at the recent 2011 Shanghai Auto Show in China.

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Citroen picasso

The original Citroen C4 was a boldly styled car both inside and out that featured some unusual and innovative features. But while it was certainly different, it met with some resistance from its target market - the more mature and discerning owner who doesn't necessarily want a car that stands out. So for the second generation model, Citroen has played it somewhat safer, sacrificing the radical styling for comfort, quality and refinement. With the forthcoming DS4 designed to be Citroen's sporty offering in the medium-family hatchback market, the C4 is free to be a comfort-focussed model that's also practical. In this respect it's very successful thanks to an impeccably good ride, very low noise levels, impressive refinement and a spacious cabin. It's far from the being the best car to drive in its class, that remains the Ford Focus, but then it's not supposed to be. Instead it's composed and relaxing on the move. Inside, the quality of the interior is massive improvement over the original C4. Not only is the layout a lot more user-friendly, there's also far more useable storage and the materials used throughout feel of a much higher quality. Features such as the much-hyped fixed-hub steering wheel and transculent digital dash of the old model have been ditched in favour of a more conventional look and although it's not as radical, it's a far more pleasant cabin overall that also feels better built.There's a good range of engines too, including the excellent 1.6-litre HDi which is quiet, smooth and impressively sprightly. It's also very economical with the new green e-HDi models - Citroen's equivalent of Bluemotion or Econetic - capable of a claimed 67.3mpg with CO2 emissions of 109g/km, so running costs are low. And with good levels of standard kit and residual values predicted to be much stronger than before, the C4 has more appeal than ever.The new C4 range starts at �15,595 for the 1.4 VTi 95hp VTR while the range-topping Exclusive model, powered by the 2.0 HDi 150hp unit, is priced at �21,495.

                                            Citroen picasso

                                           Citroen picasso

                                           Citroen picasso

                                            Citroen picasso

                                              Citroen picasso

                                            Citroen picasso

                                            Citroen picasso

                                            Citroen picasso

                                           Citroen picasso

New Citro�n DS5

Prepare for impending teasing over the next few days as Citro�n has released the first in a likely series of preview images of the third member in its distinctive line of DS models, the DS5, which will receive its world premiere on 18 April at the Shanghai International Motor Show.

Aside from the image pictured above, the French carmaker is keeping mum on all the details simply stating that the �DS5 is set to bring distinctive new elegance and panache to the executive class�.

It is believed that the new DS5 will be based on the architecture of Citro�n�s C5 mid-size model with engine options including the PSA Citro�n-Peugeot group�s Hybrid4 diesel-electric hybrid powertrain.

The DS lineup was inaugurated in 2009 with the launch of the DS3 supermini, while Citro�n expanded the range with the introduction of the DS4, a high-stance five-door hatchback, at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

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Vive la DS! Ugo Spagnolo Imagines the Duchesses� 2019

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?
 
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Citro�n E-3POD Antistatic Concept for a Future 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 Citro�n 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 Citro�n 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 Citro�n 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 Citro�n.

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Citroen Metropolis and Survolt due for production

Citroen is working hard on bring two of its most recent concept cars into production: the Metropolis premium saloon and the Survolt electric sports car.

Citroen�s effort at breaking into the European executive saloon market with the current C6 failed but Plou� said that Citro�n must carry on and the Metropolis is the model that could do that. The Metropolis would take its place as Citroens flagship saloon and may be badged �DS9�.

�We cannot afford to let the likes of Audi, Mercedes and BMW forge into Citro�n�s heartland supermini territory without fighting back and pushing into theirs. Selling large luxury cars in Europe is not easy at the moment, but I believe Citro�n has a great deal more to bring to the market. A large, characterful DS flagship model � we could call it a DS9 to reference the original DS19 � could do great things for us�, Polu� said.

In addition, Polu� suggested that developing such a car for the Chinese market � which would measure over 5.4m � and badging it as a Citro�n, would be a positive financially.

�It�s still our intention to put the Survolt into low-volume production, and we�re pursuing the idea of a one-make race series,� well-placed insiders confirmed.