Citroen Aircross Concept

Between the leaked shot and teaser photos released by Citroen, we already had a pretty good idea what the new Aircross concept was going to look like. Just officially revealed, the concept features an imposing look and chunky proportions that give it a surprisingly rugged-yet-stylish look - it's a kind of premium Range Rover effect going on here, but not using the same angular look.

It also “illustrates the brand’s international ambitions,” basically being a larger and slightly more premium interpretation of the C4 Cactus formula; it even features that car’s bump-protection by using “Alloy Bumps” and “Air Signs,’’ whatever those are…

The drivetrain is of the plug-in hybrid variety, combining a 218 hp turbo petrol 1.6-liter (driving the front axle) with a 95 hp electric motor driving the rears; the EV-only range is 31 miles or 50 km.

It promises excellent performance for a vehicle of its type: 100 km/h or 62 mph comes up in 4.5 seconds, yet it’s claimed to be able to return 166 mpg UK or around 1.7 l/100km.

The vehicle is set to debut at the Shanghai Motor Show starting April 22.

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2013 Citroen C4 Picasso

No doubt, the first thing that everybody has and will notice about the five-seater model, is its unconventional-looking front end and profile styling, but there's a lot more to talk about the latest generation of the C4 Picasso, as we discovered after reading Citroen's press release.

At 4,430mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,610mm tall, Citroen's compact model is 40 mm shorter in length and stands 50 mm lower in height compared to the outgoing C4 Picasso, yet the French brand says it offers more space for both passengers and their luggage – how can that be? Well, because Citroen reduced the length from the front end that is 70mm shorter. Furthermore, the wheelbase is 55mm longer at 2,785 mm, and the car rides on wider front(+82mm) and rear (+31mm) tracks.

Citroen says the new C4 Picasso offers an additional 40 liters in boot space over the older model, at 537 liters, and up to 637 liters with the adjustable rear seats pushed forward.

Talking about the cabin, the interior is also plusher with higher-grade materials and more premium trims, including two-tone color options for the seats, doors and dashboard, as well as better equipped with a standard 7-inch touchscreen through which the driver and passenger control all the in-car functions, including the dual-zone air conditioning, navigation, audio, telephone, driving aids and connected services.

Right above you will find a much larger 12-inch HD screen for the instrument panel that displays essential driving information and can be configured to show data for either the navigation system or driving aids, and even allows you to use a personal photo as a backdrop. The C4 Picasso comes equipped with three individual rear seats that can be moved and configured independently from each other.

One of the main highlights of the new C4 Picasso is the new EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform 2) from the Peugeot-Citroen PSA Group. It uses a mix of aluminum and very high yield strength steel for some parts and a composite rear floor, cutting vehicle weight by 70 kg (154 pounds). That's not the only area that Citroen cut weight, as thanks to the more compact-size body and the use of lighter materials, such as an aluminum bonnet and composite tailgate, the French carmaker saved another 70kg increasing the total weight reduction over the previous model to 140kg (309 pounds).

At the same time, Citroen says that the new C4 Picasso is the first compact MPV to emit less than 100 g/km of CO2 with a conventional, internal-combustion engine. That model is the start-stop-equipped e-HDi 90 Airdream featuring a 91hp / 92 PS diesel engine mated to a new 6-speed clutchless gearbox, which emits 98 g/km of CO2 with a combined fuel consumption of 3.8 l/100 km (equal to 61.9mpg US and 74.3 mpg UK).

Other engine options include an 113hp (114PS) diesel, and two gasoline units, the 118hp (120PS) VTi 120 and the 154hp (156PS) THP 155.

As for tech features, the new C4 Picasso sports LED 3D-effect rear lights, an available 360 Vision system that utilizes four cameras placed around the car and works with or without the Park Assist system, active cruise control and active seatbelts.

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Citroen Numero DS9 Details

Previously believed to be named DS9, the French study is called the Numéro 9 concept, though Citroën makes it clear that it belongs to the DS lineup.

Citroën says that the Numéro 9 introduces the more chic and premium DS lineup to Chinese consumers before the company launches its first DS products onto the market later this year.

More importantly though, Citroën states that the Numéro 9 refines the brand's design language and signals the styling cues of the next three DS line models including a C-segment premium sedan (think Audi A3 Sedan), an SUV and a D-segment (mid-size) executive saloon.

As you can see, Citroën is all hyped up about its DS line, which currently consists of the DS3 supermini, DS4 sport hatch and the larger DS5, and all for good reason as it has notched up more than 200,000 sales worldwide just two years after launch.

Citroën doesn't say if the Numéro 9 will result in a production model, but the French carmaker's executives have previously confirmed the brand's intentions to build a flagship model.

The Numéro 9 is a follow up to the impressive 2010 Metropolise concept, which was also shown in China. However, the new DS study sports a shooting brake body, while at 4.93m (194.1-inches) long and 1.94m (76.4-inches) wide, with a 3m (118.1-inches) wheelbase, it's also more compact in dimensions than the 5.3m long (208.7-inches) Metropolis. Nevertheless, it's still longer and wider than a Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The French brand claims that it provides plenty of room for rear occupants, adding that the three glass areas in the roof creates "a welcoming, friendly cabin ambience".

Citroën tells us that we should take special note of certain design elements such as the new front-end with the sculpted, 3-dimensional grille surround that flows into the full-LED headlights, as well as the floating roof underlined by chrome trim and the glazed side surfaces flowing into the rear window, as these styling cues will appear on the next DS models.

Under the hood, Citroën says that the Numéro 9's hybrid powertrain can combine a conventional petrol or diesel engine (depending on the market) with an electric motor on the rear axle that develops 70hp and torque of 200Nm, and which has the added benefit of offering four-wheel drive.

The electric motor is powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged in three and-a-half hours from a normal domestic socket providing a range of 50km (around 31miles) in all-electric ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode.

The model that will go on display at the Beijing Motor Show is fitted with a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine (shared with the BMW Group's Mini brand) developing 225hp (165kW) and 275Nm of torque.

Together, the combustion engine and electric motor can produce up to 295hp allowing for a 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of just 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 244km/h (152mph).

According to Citroën, if the driver makes use of the car's pure electric mode, the Numéro 9 returns up to 166mpg UK (1.7lt/100km or 138mpg US) over a combined cycle.

Needless to say, the Numéro 9 is fitted with a traditional hydraulic active suspension.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
DIMENSIONSLength: 4.93m
Width: 1.94m
Height: 1.27m
Wheelbase: 3m
WEIGHTTotal laden weight: 1,500kg
PLUG-IN HYBRID DRIVETRAIN
1.6 THP petrol engine developing 225hp (165kW) / torque of 275Nm
Electric motor on rear axle: power of 70hp / torque of 200Nm
ZEV mode: range of 50km
PERFORMANCE AND CONSUMPTION0 to 1,000m: 25.3 seconds
0 to 62mph: 5.4 seconds
Top speed: 152mph (244kph)
Consumption: 166mpg (1.7l/100km) over a combined cycle MVEG
CO2 Emissions: 39g/km
AERODYNAMICSCdA: 0.61
RUNNING GEARMICHELIN tyres 245/35 ZR21

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