Citroen cars

Possible Future Citroen C4 Picasso Spotted Testing

The prototype hidden under this heavy camouflage may look unrecognizable, but clues in regards to its location and history make us believe this is the next generation Citroen C4 Picasso. First off, the car was caught testing in the north at an area where Citroen normally resides. Second, our spy photographers reported that the car was followed by two security cars from the PSA group and third, we should consider that the newest C4 was unveiled almost two years ago and the current C4 Picasso is six years old, leading us to suspect that a new car should be testing right about now.

The prototype caught testing also featured some of Citroen’s usual design elements, including small side windows behind the A-pillars, the look of the rear view mirrors, and the shared DS4 design of the rims (even though they have five bolts and not four like the DS4). It has also been reported that the new C4 Picasso model will feature a more conventional look to make room for the fancy DS models, so this prototype may be the one to illustrate that.

2012 Citroen DS9

Citroen’s current DS line-up includes: DS3, DS4 and DS5, but today the company has unveiled the first teaser image of a new DS model - rumored to be called DS9. Official debut will be made in April at the Beijing motor show and comes as an attempt from Citroen to internationalize its high-end DS brand.

The new DS9 high-end sedan has been inspired by the Metropolis concept unveiled in 2010 at the World Expo in Shanghai. Its production version will be offered as an alternative to the German models that are already dominating the sector.

Citroen’s official teaser on Facebook is offering no other details on the upcoming DS9, except that: "The future of the DS line is already taking shape at Citroen..."

But we can confirm that while the DS9 will be initially offered on the Chinese market, it will also be offered on markets like Europe, as Citroën boss Frederic Banzet has explained: "They could end up elsewhere as we have a worldwide ambition with DS."

2012 Citroen C4 Aircross

We’ve given Citroen some flak in the past for their conservative design methods, but all that seems to be a thing of the past now as the French automaker is preparing to reveal the new C4 Aircross crossover at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

Together with its sister model, the Peugeot 4008, the C4 Aircross represents a new chapter in Citroen’s design evolution. The C4 Aircross - and the 4008, for that matter - were both based on the Mitsubishi ASX Crossover, but the new C4 gets some design transformations on its own, including a new body panel, new trims, and plenty of different color options.

While official powertrain options have yet to be announced, Citroen is offering four different engines, including a 1.6-liter petrol that produces 115 horsepower, a 2.0-liter petrol engine that develops 150 horsepower, a 1.6-liter diesel engine that comes with 110 horsepower, and a 1.8-liter diesel engine that churns out 150 horsepower.

Further details behind the Citroen C4 Aircross will be revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. For now, the French automaker has provided a slice of what’s in store courtesy of an extensive photo gallery.

2012 Citroen DS3 Racing Sebastien Loeb Special Edition

French automaker, Citroen, is probably most famous in the auto and racing circles for its dominance in the world of rally racing and in particular, it’s tie-up with 8-time WRC champ, Sebastien Loeb. So it only made sense that Citroen is bringing a special edition model of their DS3 Racing model to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The DS3 Sebastien Loeb SE model will be made available after Geneva at a still undisclosed price and will be limited to only 200 units.

On the aesthetic front, Citroen gave the car a special matte black paint finish - always a positive thing - with matching red graphics on the roof that pay homage to Loeb and all his career accomplishments in WRC. Likewise, the mirror caps, the grill rush, the fascia panel, and the base of the gear lever have all been decked in a red Arden finish.

Finally, the interior of the car gets a special numbered plaque signed by both Loeb and Daniel Elena celebrating their 8 championships in WRC with a corresponding numerical assignment on what model number the car is in relation to all 200 units.

You can expect to see the DS3 Racing Sebastien Loeb Special Edition at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show where it will be on hand together with the rest of Citroen’s contingent.

2012 Citroen C3 Red Block Special Edition

A year after Citroen pulled the covers off of the C3 Red Block Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the French automaker is returning to the same event with the production version of the model, appropriately called the "C3 Red Block Special Edition."

The car will be part of a strong delegation for the Frenchies with the C3 Red Block Special Edition carrying some of the distinctive characteristics that were done on the concept version. The model will be made available in five different paint finishes - Shark Blue with a matching bumper strip, Banquise White, Aluminum Grey, Manitoba Grey, and Obsidian Black with a gloss black bumper strip. On top of the plethora of hues buyers can choose from, the C3 Red Block Special Edition will also sport a modified steering wheel system, a set of new 17" diamond-effect rims wrapped in 205/40 tires, a modified chassis, and a lowered suspension set-up that drops the car’s ride height by 25mm.

Inside, the C3 Red Block Special Edition gets treated to some fancy make-overs, particularly the gloss black dashboard fascia, which adds a certain panache to the car. There are also aluminum-finished pedals and front door surrounds, a smaller sports steering wheel, and as an option to prospective buyers, red leather upholstery.

Engine options are also part of the offering for the special edition C3. For this bad boy, customers can opt to choose from an e-HDi 90 diesel, an e-HDi 100 diesel, and a VTi 120 petrol engine, with the respective outputs ranging from 90-120 horsepower.

2012 Citroen DS4 Racing Concept

Rumors have been flying around that say Citroen is preparing a competitor for models like the Volkswagen Golf R and the Renaultsport Mégane RS, and here it is. The French company has offered the first official confirmation of the upcoming DS4 Racing Concept. This first concept model will be unveiled next month at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

The new DS4 Racing Concept will be finished in a textured-effect matte grey paint combined with a two-tone roof and 19" two-tone wheels with a special DS4 Racing design. The car has been lowered by 35 mm, but offsetting that is a widened track, 55mm at the front and 75mm at the rear. These adjustments make the DS4 look aggressive, as well as more aerodynamic.

The Citroen DS4 Racing Concept is powered by a 1.6-liter turbo petrol engine that delivers a total of 256 HP. It also features a ton of carbon fiber components, including the air diffuser, front splitter, and wheel arch extensions.

Full details on the Citroen DS4 Racing Concept will be unveiled next month during its official debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned!

2013 Citroen C4 sedan

It’s Citroen’s turn to go out and play in the snow, and they’ve brought their new generation C4 sedan along for the ride. These spy shots were taken in Northern Scandinavia, where the chill - and the risk of being outed - has prompted Citroen to cover a lot of the vehicle in that dread camouflage.

The current C4 Sedan is sold mostly in China, but with a lot of other smaller sedans popping up from different manufacturers (remember the Astra sedan recently spotted?) there may be a chance to see this model working its way to the European market. In countries like Italy, Spain, and countries in eastern European, the smaller sedan segment is rapidly growing, giving Citroen even more reason to make a big move.

Power for the Citroen C4 sedan is expected to come from the same engine range found in the current C4 hatchback, meaning choice of both petrol and diesel engines with power ranging from 90 to 150 HP. A Stop & Start system will also be offered.

Expect to see the new Citroen C4 sedan launched by the end of 2012.

2011 Citroen Tubik

If you thought the Volkswagen NILS was a crazy concept, check out Citroën’s latest vehicle. This car looks like the guys over at Citroën dropped acid and designed an out-of-this-world van to capture the most fun out of a long journey.

The Tubik pays homage to its old predecessors, the 1939 Tub van and the 1948 Type H that was in production until the late 70s. The Tubik features a major leap in technology and design, probably none of which will ever see production. But boy do we love dreamers....

The images provided by Citroën are intended to capture the public with "a concept car designed to make travel meaningful again." That being said (by Citroën), we couldn’t think of a groovier way to travel than in this modern, MPV-type, snout-nosed people carrier.

The entire cabin is replete with violet lounge seats, glass encasing, and probably enough LED lighting to make Audi blush with embarrassment. And take a look at the driver’s quarters, it looks like something Segway makes. The cockpit, if that’s what you can call it, is a dizzying array of curved inserts, euphoric lighting, and a bizarre seat. The spoke-less, magically lit (with center-mounted LCD screens for side views) is something that we think should go into immediate production..yesterday.

If Citroën decides to make anything remotely like this concept, snatch it up out of an abundance of "wow" factor.

Hit the jump to see a short press release and images of the baffling, beautiful concept.

2011 Citroen DS3 Ultra Prestige

The Citroen DS3 was put on sale a mere 18 months ago and the company has already received 100,000 orders for it. As a thanks to their clients, Citroen will be bringing the DS3 Ultra Prestige to the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Ultra Prestige comes with a "Monogramme" decor on the roof, 17-inch charcoal-gray diamond-effect wheels, and a ‘Dark Chrome’ finish on the wing mirrors, door strips, and front grille.

As for the interior, it will receive "watchstrap" seat upholstery in club leather, as well as an "Alpin Weiss" white club leather dashboard embossed with a DS logo that is also present on the upper part of the front seats. The color of the dials on the instrument cluster also match the white of the interior detailing, while club leather was used for the door panels and central armrest. This special edition will also be equipped with ultra-thick protective mats with braided double stitching in contrasting colors.

Video: Cunning driver does his best catch-me-if-you-can impersonation with the police

We’re all advocates of law-enforcement officials that go to great lengths to help and protect their citizens from rowdy rascals like this kid on a Citroen Saxo. Having said that, though, we couldn’t help but chuckle a little bit after watching this video of the kid elusively evading the police in a merry-go-round car chase in Coleshill, England.

The car chase stemmed from a police crackdown in the area, forbidding what’s called illegal car cruise events. Clearly, the patrol cars wanted to make an example of the wily driver, except that they couldn’t catch him. In their attempts to do so, the driver went around all available lanes, speeding up, slowing down, running in reverse, and crossing the middle divider as the pursuers tried in vain to catch him.

In the end, the driver of the Citroen sped away only for the police to find the car abandoned about 12 miles away with the driver still at large. We sincerely hope that the police catch this hooligan soon before he attempts to endanger any more lives.

But, still, you gotta give props to this kid for his elusiveness and driving skills. We haven’t seen the police made fun of like that since the days of the Three Stooges.