Renewal is the keyword for Citroën in South Africa
Renewal is the keyword for Citroën in South Africa
Renewal is the keyword for Citroën in South Africa
Citroën South Africa has made significant strides since being established as a subsidiary of Citroën France, in 2010. Not only has the product range considerably improved to meet customer demand, but a wide-spread dealer network has also been established, together with a parts warehouse holding approximately R40-million in stock. Substantial progress is being made in building the image of the Citroën brand locally.
The Citroën range comprises of the C Range and premium DS Line offering as well as the recently homologated and Santaco approved Mini Bus taxis. This product range is set for renewal and the addition of more models to the local line-up, with some examples on show at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show.
The cars on display are the C1, new C3, C4 Aircross, C4 Picasso Technospace as the “showcar”.
DS Line fans will be exposed to the DS3 Ultra Prestige, DS3 Cabrio, a show-stopping chrome-wrapped DS4, a DS5 Hybrid and an exciting concept car.
The Citroën display not only gives a glimpse into the future in terms of design trends, but also showcases the new C4 Picasso multi-purpose vehicle which is due for launch here in 2014. An expression of Citroën’s CréativeTechnologie, the Picasso Technospace ushers in a new era for MPVs.
It is a new generation model based on the EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform 2), the Citroën Group’s new platform, and has a compact exterior envelope with benchmark interior space and a record-breaking luggage capacity of 537 litres VDA.
The C4 Picasso hints at the future trends in terms of Citroën design as exemplified by the Cactus, which serves as a strong indicator of the way the company is shifting the paradigm of future models in the C Range, and the impactful GQ by Citroën, which is a concept car designed in conjunction with GQ magazine in London.
Cactus concept
The origins of the Cactus date back to the C-Cactus concept car at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show; it was a radical approach that posed a number of key questions: What do motorists expect from a car in today’s world? And which equipment and features really count?
The feedback pushed the designers and engineers until they have come up with the latest Citroën Cactus which previews forthcoming models in the C Line. The Cactus is a boldly-styled SUV which has strong, aerodynamic styling lines and is focused on light weight and overall efficiency. Notable styling features are the so-called “airbumps”, which are panels on the body covered by a soft skin featuring air capsules that protect the body and add to visual appeal. The driver interface is fully digital.
The major objective for the designers of Cactus was to free up space inside the car for the driver and passengers. The slender, floating dashboard frees up space on the floor below and on its upper section offers the front passenger a large storage space with easy access.
The instrument cluster is replaced by a 7-inch screen, while there is also an 8-inch touchscreen connected to all vehicle functions such as air conditioning, audio, navigation, connected services and driver aids. The traditional gear lever is replaced with push button controls on the dashboard and steering wheel paddles.
Hybrid Air system
Shown at the Paris Motorshow last year, Hybrid Air h is another example of Citroën’s developed technology for the general public. It is a real breakthrough in that it combines compressed air and hydraulics with a petrol engine so there is no need for an additional battery.
The control system allows the driver to choose Air (zero emission, when it runs on compressed air only), Petrol (when it runs on an internal combustion engine only for peak performance) or Combined (when it uses a combination of the petrol engine and compressed air power). Proper use of the system can lower fuel consumption by as much as 45% in urban driving conditions. Citroen expects to have this technology to market by as early as 2017.
GQ Concept
Citroën has always exhibited sporting roots and the GQ concept by Citroën is an excellent example of the thinking of its design team in the realm of a sporty, high performance coupé.
Responding to a brief by GQ magazine, the Citroën team, headed by British designer Mark Lloyd, who was responsible for the eye-catching DS3, turned the brief into a new look at the Grand Touring (GT) theme, bringing it from a design outline to concept reality.
The partnership also extended to well-known Saville Row tailors E. Tautz, and combines the sleek, sculpted exterior with a bespoke interior featuring upholstery selection provided by Patrick Grant, the creative director of prestigious E. Tautz.
The concept car is powered by a plug-in hybrid power train using a 1,6-litre direct injection petrol engine and electric motor for stunning performance. “It is not an all-out sports car, but rather something gentlemanly in that it has performance for travelling and not racing,” explained Mark Lloyd.
New C4 Picasso
As a ground breaking step in the world of multi-purpose vehicles, the all new C4 Picasso is a quantum leap forward for this segment of cars. Using the new, EMP2 modular platform has contributed to the weight reduction of 140kg over the previous model Picasso. The new platform also allows a reduced front overhang, lower mounting of the engine and a wider track.
The new Citroën C4 Picasso in South Africa be launched with the marque’s e-HDi 115 turbo diesel power unit, developing 85kW, will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and provides outstanding fuel economy, with emissions of only 105g/km.
The spacious interior is trimmed and equipped to a high level, with the best quality materials used.
It has a full digital driving interface that is both intuitive and attractive, with the uncluttered dashboard structured around two screens located in the central section: a 7-inch touchpad and 12-inch panoramic HD screen. The latter displays essential driving information and can be configured by the driver at any time to show data for either the navigation system of driving aids. The touchpad offers a portal of connected applications specially tailored for automotive use.
The arrival of the new C4 Picasso in 2014 will certainly be a high point in the year for Citroën SA.
Citroen C1
This one-litre fuel sipper was introduced to South Africa in 2006 and given a cosmetic makeover in 2012. It remains one of the bestselling models in the Citroën range in SA. Two five-door models make up the local range, the Attraction and Seduction, both with a three-cylinder one-litre petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Compact in overall size and big on the inside. A special edition Sport model is available to market with a two tone exterior paint combination and tasteful accents on the interior car, highlighting the fact that the compact entry segment does not need to compromise on offerings expected on more premium segment vehicles.
New Citroën C3
Citroën’s charming C3 supermini was given a make-over in the middle of 2013 with a package of changes that add mechanical zest, visual appeal and enhanced driving pleasure.
Mechanical zest comes about via the introduction of a new, French-made1.2-litre three-cylinder Puretech petrol engine, which combines exceptional efficiency with peppy performance. It replaces the previous 1.4-litre engine and at 60 kW makes six kW or 15 percent more than the larger unit – yet generates the same amount of torque, at lower rpm. Fuel consumption levels can be as low as 4.7 litres per 100 km, achieved with a CO2 output of a mere 109 grams/km. Emissions are 25 percent lower than the 1.4.
The alternative to the 3 cylinder is the existing 1.6-litre VTi, rated at a useful 88 kW and a user-friendly160 Nm, which when coupled to the C3’s wind-cheating 0.30 CD and light yet strong construction results in lively performance.
For those who prefer the high-mileage benefits of a diesel, the C3 is still available with the HDi 90 AIRDREAM engine. This 68 kW/230 Nm 1.6-litre powerplant with micro-hybrid e-HDi technology boasts the most efficient Stop&Start system on the market. Expect CO2 emissions as low as 98 g/km, and fuel consumption in the order of 3.7 litres per 100 km in mixed driving.
The visual appeal of the new C3 includes more assertive styling, more prominent trademark chevrons which run the width of the nose to reach the inner edges of the headlights, while a deeper front air intake with honeycomb mesh brings it in line with other Citroën models.
C4 Aircross
A diesel-engined front-wheel drive derivative, the 1.6 HDi Seduction, has been added to Citroën SA’s Aircross range of high-riding crossovers. The new model offers fuel consumption as low as 4.6l100km and emissions of only 119g/km.
The direct injection 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine develops 84kW of power and 270N.m of torque, and comes as an alternative to the existing 2-litre petrol engined models. The newcomer is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and a stop/start function, contributing to its outstanding fuel economy.
Standard features include automatic activation of the windscreen wipers and headlamp, satellite controls on the steering wheel, a glovebox cooler, climate air conditioning, USB port, and auxiliary audio jack and Bluetooth compatibility.
DS3
The model on display at the motor show is the latest derivative with the Ultra Prestige specification which combines sophisticated style with premium specifications and all the distinctive personality of the Citroën DS Line.
An indication of the model’s exceptional quality is illustrated by the front seats, which are fitted with the “watchstrap” design seat upholstery in Club leather. The front seats also have a crescendo colour effect which is new for the automotive sector. Dashboard leather is Alpine white leather, which is also embossed with the iconic DS signature. Leather trim is also fitted to the door panels and central armrest.
The addition of a striking Cabrio to the DS3 line-up proved a big attention grabber recently. This multi-award winning car uses intelligent design to make top-down driving considerably easier and thoroughly enjoyable. This is not a run-of-the-mill droptop, but a model that brings with it real innovation, bold styling and sophisticated refinement and is the only true five-seater Cabrio in its market segment.
The DS3 Cabrio whilst retaining the hatchback’s compact proportions and bold styling choices such as the ‘floating roof’, characteristic ‘shark fin’ and front LED daytime running lights, now adds the soft top roof to its distinctive personality.
The major technical innovation of the Citroën DS3 Cabrio is the electrically adjustable folding canvas roof which can be operated at driving speeds up to 120km/h. The DS3 Cabrio has been voted a semi-finalist in the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists Car of the Year competition for 2013.
Citroën DS4
The DS4 remains an important model in the growing range of Citroën’s DS launched locally in 2011.
Like the exterior, the interior styling of the new CitroënDS4 creates an immediate impression of quality and sophistication and an overall feeling of luxury. Showcasing the cabin to subtle effect only best-in-class materials are used such as slush skin for the dashboard, jersey fabric for the roof lining and chrome detailing on the steering wheel.
The interior ambience can be adapted to suit all customers. There is a choice of four polyphonic “ringtones” – Classic, Crystal Symphony, Jungle Fantasy and Urban Rythmik – for the indicator side repeaters and warning signals.
The car is designed for “business class travel” with welcoming, comfortable seats. There is an electric lumbar massage facility for the driver and front passenger, which is new in the compact hatch market.
There are two petrol engines for the new DS4, both of 1.6-litre capacity and complying with Euro V emission regulations. The VTi 120 is available with a five-speed manual gearbox while the turbocharged THP 200 power unit is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Diesel fans can also opt for the two litre HDi160 in manual or automatic transmissions, the latter option introduced to market mid-2013.
DS5 Hybrid
Another new model joining the Citroën SA range next year is the DS5 Hybrid, which will join the existing line-up of DS5 on the local market and will mark Citroën’s move into the ranks of those companies marketing hybrids in SA.
The company sees the DS5 as a new take on the premium segment by combining a very spacious interior with compact external dimensions. The compact design brings several advantages such as agility and responsiveness on the road as well as improved fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.
Driven by the slogan “Dare to Surprise, Always Attract” the DS5 is innovative and visionary.
Until now buyers in SA had the choice of a number of high output turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. Next the choice will be wider with the arrival of the DS5 with Citroën’s Hybrid4 powertrain, which consists of a combination of diesel and electric power (150kW) with all-wheel drive.
This is a combination which has won accolades in other world markets and is expected to be a well-accepted on the local market too, particularly in terms of its excellent fuel economy and low emissions (99g/km).
Summing up:
Citroën was born more than 90 years ago at the foot of the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. It is a dynamic and creative brand with an excellent motor sport pedigree which continues to keep the brand name in the limelight globally.
A recent major success has been the launch of a standalone DS Line. It was introduced in 2010 and already has three distinctive model ranges – DS3, DS4 and DS5 which are proving a hit worldwide and already outselling many well-established niche brands.
Citroën is certainly a brand on the move.
[source : Citroën SA]
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