BRUSSELS SPROUTS THREE NEW CITROENS!
New Citroën C5, Nemo Combi and Citroën C8 debut
With the launch of three new models, Citroen has lifted the status of the Brussels International Motor Show to a new level when it opens its doors this week (16-27 January 2008) with the wraps coming of the new Citroen C5 sedan, the Citroen Nemo small van and the largest Citroen MPV, the Citroen C8.
The Citroen C5 will make its debut in Australia in the middle of 2008, with the Nemo van following in the third quarter, while the new Citroen C8 is available to Australians via the Citroen DriveEurope tourist lease programme.
The new C5 continues the renewal of Citroën’s broad range of passenger vehicles, Nemo Combi, the brand’s new, entry-level leisure activity vehicle, rounds out the Nemo family with the van version is currently being launched in several European countries. Citroën is also presenting a new version of the its large MPV, the C8, restyled and newly equipped with the 173 bhp 2.2HDi engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, with an automatic version on the way).
The Citroen stand at Brussels will once again show the brand’s environmental strengths, with several models carrying the Airdream signature and the C-Cactus and C4 Hybrid HDi concept cars and their sub-100 g/km CO2 emissions. Nemo Concetto, a concept that is a nod to Disney’s diminutive animated fish, will also be on show.
C5 saloon makes public debut
Citroën is set to make a prestigious and elegant start to the new year by unveiling its new C5 saloon to the public at the Brussels Motor Show.
The new C5 is armed with a strong personality and all the vitality, prestige and quality it takes to become a long-term leader in the M2 segment of mid-upper range saloons.
The first thing people notice is the car’s looks. The new C5 is elegant, sleek and eminently distinguished, boasting the taut and aerodynamic lines of the best in three-box saloons.
To vitality the new C5 adds practicality, with class-leading cabin space for both saloon and estate models.
Driving pleasure and travelling comfort are outstanding. The aircraft-style driving position features consummate finish, innovative ergonomic controls and standard-setting seat comfort. Passengers travel in a prestige environment with total peace of mind.
Out on the road, the new C5 reconciles sharp driving sensations with exceptional comfort. FFitted with the sophisticated running gear of the C6, it is available, for the first time, with a choice of two suspension systems. Customers can choose between Hydractive 3 Plus suspension, for exquisite ride comfort, and a metal suspension system that provides more direct road feel while maintaining the legendary suppleness that is a hallmark of Citroën know-how. The new C5’s impeccable road manners are enhanced by a broad range of engines, uncompromising safety and leading-edge technologies.
The new Citroën C5, launched in spring 2008, is illustrative of the Marque’s innovation and vitality. It has all the verve, prestige and quality needed to make it a long-term leader in the mid-upper range segment.
Nemo Combi: Citroën’s new leisure activity vehicle
In a world premiere, Citroën is also presenting Nemo Combi, set for launch in most European countries in 2008.
To underline its leisure vocation, the newcomer is also available in an XTR version.
Small on the outside and big on the inside, the economically-minded Nemo Combi boasts modern and practical styling.
The main features of Nemo Combi, a new arrival in the family of leisure activity vehicles, are:
· Compact exterior dimensions. Just 3.96 m and easy to handle, it is particularly at ease in the city, with a turning circle of less than 10 metres between kerbs;
· An ingenious design, fitting a wide range of features into a compact space, with:
o two generous seats at the front, enabling tall people to ride in comfort;
o three generous seats at the rear;
o a large boot with stowage of 356 litres under the parcel shelf, and 884 litres up to the back of the front seat when the rear bench is tumbled forward;
o load volume of 2.5 m3, the same as the van version with the rear bench removed;
o practicality, with rear asymmetric swing doors and one or two large sliding side doors.
The Nemo Combi raises the bar high in the leisure activity vehicle segment. It is reasonably priced, cheap to run, and fitted with reliable engines known for their economy and low emissions (4.6 l/100 km over a combined cycle and 123 g/km of CO2 with the HDi unit). Nemo Combi HDi carries the Airdream eco-label.
C8: the top-end MPV combining elegance and driving pleasure
Citroën is the leading European manufacturer in the compact MPV segment. After successfully rounding out its compact MPV range with C4 Picasso, Citroen is renewing the C8, its top-of-the-line MPV that combines elegance and driving pleasure.
The C8 gets exterior and interior styling upgrades that lend its modern body style even more vitality and its opulent cabin even more comfort.
The C8 range has gained a new HDi diesel engine developing 125 kW, equipped with a particulate filter (DPFS) and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. A special version of this unit will be available in Belgium and Luxembourg, developing 120 kW. In 2008, this engine will also be available with a 6-speed automatic gearbox in some countries.
The new engine rounds out the current line-up consisting of a 143 bhp 2.0i 16V petrol unit, with a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed auto, and two diesels, the HDi 120 and HDi 138 DPFS, both mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
Already available on the C5 and C6, the HDi 173 DPFS adds the crowning touch to Citroën’s range of four-cylinder HDi engines. Featuring a range of innovations (parallel sequential dual turbo and new combustion and injection systems), this engine sets high standards in power and, above all, driveability, particularly at low engine speeds. To complete the upgrade, Citroën has made changes to the running gear and brakes.
Nemo Concetto: Meet Nemo
Citroën is presenting Nemo Concetto, a concept car based on Nemo, a compact, practical and ingenious vehicle well-suited to this kind of exercise.
Nemo Concetto, a nod to Disney’s diminutive hero with its white and orange colours, is a perfect illustration of Nemo values and underlines the vehicle’s broad range of personalisation options.
Nemo Concetto bears an uncanny resemblance to the movie-star fish with its irresistible personality and physiognomy.
Citroën worked hand-in-hand with Disney on the project, each contributing its special know-how. This partnership has resulted in a car that combines the creativity and innovation of Disney and the playful, underwater world of the film with the exacting requirements of the automotive industry.
Nemo Concetto is yet another example of Citroën’s knack for designing vehicles with real personality that match the lifestyles of their owners and adjust to their environment… like a fish to water!
C-Cactus: a new take on the ecological car
The C-Cactus concept car is an ingenious take on vehicle design, centred on essential values. The Marque's ambitious aim is to market an ecological hatchback with cheerful, attractive styling, equipped with a hybrid HDi drivetrain and sold at the same price as an entry-level C4.
To square this complex equation, Citroën is exploring new forms of design. It has decided to abandon features that are not essential to comfort and to focus instead on technology, styling and equipment that are positive, ecological and valued by users.
C-Cactus is an ecological car. It includes a significant proportion of recycled or recyclable materials and, like the plant it is named after, it is low on consumption. Weighing just 1,180 kg and featuring a hybrid HDi drivetrain, C-Cactus consumes 2.9l/100 km for CO2 emissions of 78 g/km.
Its low production cost can be attributed to the use of new materials and to a rational design process using a smaller number of parts. The cabin is made up of just over 200 parts, i.e. almost half the number used by a conventional hatchback of identical size.
C4 Hybrid HDi: for significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
The C4 Hybrid HDi demonstration vehicle combines a hybrid powertrain with an HDi engine. It allies the exceptional efficiency of the HDi diesel engine, used over its most effective operating range, with the advantages of an electric motor, intended mainly for city driving.
The C4 Hybrid HDi boasts low fuel consumption (3.4 l/100 km) and low CO2 emissions (90 g/km). At the same time, it maintains the renowned driving pleasure of HDi engines, backed up by the specific advantages of the hybrid powertrain, such as all-electric mode at low speeds.
This demonstration vehicle is based on cutting-edge technology already available in the Citroën range, including: the HDi engine, particulate filter (DPFS), Stop & Start and automated manual gearbox. These technologies conspire to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.
The C4 Hybrid HDi is a medium-term solution that will enable Citroën to make a real breakthrough on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and make these benefits available to the greatest number in a European market where diesel vehicles have strong presence.
Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena take 4th World Champions title
Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena have driven their C4 WRC to a fourth straight Drivers’ and Co-Drivers’ title in the World Rally Championship, tallying up a superb eight rally victories in 2007.
The challenge the ‘Reds’ faced at the beginning of the year was a tough one, pitched against experienced teams and well-proven cars. But the team couldn’t have made a better start to the season than the one-two of Sébastien Loeb and Dani Sordo at the Monte Carlo Rally – an exploit they would repeat at the Catalunya and Ireland rallies. Together with wins at the German and Corsica events, the C4, Loeb and Elena were practically untouchable on asphalt. They also scored gravel victories at the Mexico, Portugal and Argentina rallies, showing the versatility of the new Citroën. The C4 WRC won half of this season’s events and notched up 20 podium finishes. The turning point of the season came at the Ireland Rally, which was making its Championship debut, where Loeb and Elena put together a perfect race and opened up a lead to this year’s title.
They clinched their fourth consecutive title at the Wales Rally – a further achievement in what is becoming an impressively long list.
Citroën will be at stand 6 in hall 6.
(ends)
For further information:
Citroën Australia Media Web Site: http://media.ateco.com.au/
Miles Williams
/ Tel: (02) 9701 8020General Manager / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0419 800 520
E-Mail:
Edward Rowe
/ Tel: (02) 9701 8015Public Relations Manager / Fax: (02) 9701 3555
Citroën Australia / Mob: 0407 913 244
E-Mail:
Citroen Australia
Street Address: Heritage Building, Campus Business Park, 350 Parramatta Road, Homebush NSW 2140 Australia. Postal Address: Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd,Locked Bag 260, Silverwater, NSW 1811, Australia
Telephone: 02 9701 8000; Direct Telephone 02 9701 8015 Fax: 02 9701 3555. Mobile +61 0407 913 244
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EJR/ejr/796
1/10/2008