the hot Citroen DS3 R arrival

The DS3-R will be powered by a turbocharged version of the 1.6 Liter four cylinder tuned to deliver a total of 200 HP and is mated to a six speed gearbox that will allow the R spec car to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in less than 7 seconds. Compared to the standard DS3, the R version will be equipped with better brakes so that driver’s can dive deeper into corners, a performance tuned suspension for better handling and an all important limited slip differential to ensure that power is distributed evenly across the drive wheels while waking up the hot hatch’s demeanor.

2011 Citroen DS3 R Side View

Following an earlier report last month hinting at the hot DS3's arrival, a handful of photos showing what insiders suggest is the finished product have leaked onto the interwebs. Brought to us by our compadres over at Autoblog Spanish, these shots were recently confirmed as the real deal (and not as photochops as originally suspected) when the same car showed up in other images released (and since retracted) by the factory.

2011 Citroen DS3 R Interior

Citroen CZero - Due early 2011

Cars to be launched as early as January next year include the Mitsubishi i-Miev, Peugeot Ion and Smart Fortwo. Electric models to follow in March include the new Nissan Leaf and Tata Vista. To follow on the campaign from 2011 straight into 2012 is Chevrolets' Volt, Citroen C Zero, the much anticipated Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the new Vauxhall Ampera.

Citroen CZero - Due early 2011

Citroen C-Zero makes the electric car cost-effective

When customers purchase either the Mitsubishi i-Miev, Eon or in fact the new Smart car, they will be buying into a forward, revolutionary way of thinking. Environmentally conscious attitudes will pave the way for future generations, automotive technology and the Government is set right behind to push it.

The Citroën C-ZERO is a supermini/city car produced by Citroën and is 100% electric powered. It was developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC). Its sister will be marketed by Peugeot as the Peugeot iOn. The differences between the cars will be different exterior and interior styling and a price difference.

2011 The Citroen C-Zero it looks very familiar

In terms of performance, C-ZERO has a maximum speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 15s and 37 to 56 mph (90 km/h) in 6 seconds. The range of the car is 130 km (81 mi)

It looks oddly narrow on the road, but there’s plenty of room for four adults inside. And even though a 47kW electric motor sits beneath the load space, there’s still a 166-litre boot.

Power
The motor draws its power from 88 lithium-ion cells stowed beneath the floor. These are charged simply by plugging into the mains. The only drawback is that a full top-up takes six hours from a domestic supply – it’s less from a commercial output.

The Citroen DS4 price

Citroen has announced today the Citroen DS4 price list for the European market, where the new model will go on sale soon. This Citroen DS4 price list is what the manufacturer is suggesting, however, the actual price may vary depending on the specific market and dealership. The Citroen DS4 will be sold with a range of petrol and diesel engines, with prices starting at 22,500 EUR.

The Citroen DS4 price list for the petrol range begins at 22,500 EUR for the 1.6 VTI powered model, developing 120 hp and goes up to 25,900 EUR for the 1.6 THP 155 hp version. For the top of the line petrol version, the Citroen DS4 price starts at 31,900 EUR for which you get the 1.6 THP version developing 200 hp.
The Citroen DS4 price list for the diesel powered versions starts at 23,900 EUR for the 1.6 HDI with 110 hp and goes up to 29,000 EUR for the 2.0 HDI with a 160 hp power output. The Citroen DS4 1.6 e-HDI price starts at 24,500 EUR.

2011 The Citroen C4 Review

Isn't interesting how things come full circle? Take for example the latest Citroen C4, the dramatic and stylish replacement for the uninspired mid-range Xsara and ZX models. After almost a decade and a half of Peugeot ownership, and the efforts to increase market share by making conventionally-styled cars, Citroen finally realised that the brand really needed to return to the defiant, innovative spirit that characterised models such as a DS, GS and CX from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

There used to be a joke in the 80s and 90s that each new Citroen model had to have a larger double chevron badge than the earlier models because it was increasingly difficult to tell Citroens apart from Peugeots and Renaults. Well, with the C4, this is definitely not the case, even if the double chevron has become larger and incorporated on the grille; this will be the new identity for all future Citroen models. Grille apart, the C4 has bold arching lines, making it look like a stretched and more dynamic C3. From the up turned headlamps in front, to the sloping rear, the C4 looks distinctive and unique, but also well proportioned and stylish. Even while standing still, its mild cab forward stance gives it a thrusting, forward motion. There is no mistaking this new Citroen for another brand of car.

On the inside as well, the C4 recalls the futuristic dashboards of Citroens' passed. The futuristic digital instrument binnacle is a floating pod located in the middle of a symmetrical dashboard. The speedometer, fuel and temperature gauges, as well as the distance-to-empty reading for fuel, are all displayed in this singular LCD panel, and it is impressively easy to read. More than just a conventional digital display, the panel is actually translucent, and it changes colour according to the amount of light falling on it.

The tachometer, gear selection and warning lights are mounted in a separate pod directly in front of the driver, and the entire assembly moves up and down when the steering is adjusted. Instead of having a red-line, the tachometer display itself changes to red when the engine is over-revved.