With less than two years in South Africa, CITROËN has introduced an imposing line-up of cars and commercial vehicles.
In a show of strength it will have its full range of passenger cars on show at the Johannesburg International Motor Show – C1, C3, C3 Picasso C4, C4 Picasso, C5, DS3, DS3 Racing, DS4. It will also preview the dramatically-styled new DS5 which only arrives here next year.
Three commercial vehicles, the new Berlingo, Dispatch Passenger and Relay, will be on display on an outdoor stand.
PASSENGER CARS:
CITROËN C1:
This one-litre fuel sipper was introduced to South Africa in 2006 and given a cosmetic makeover in 2009. 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.
CITROËN C3:
This well-equipped compact hatchback range was extended during the course of last year with the addition of the HDi 90 Seduction with a diesel engine. It joined the petrol-engined 1,6 VTi Exclusive and Exclusive Auto at the top of this range, which includes three 1,4-litre models, the Attraction, 1,4 VTi Attraction+ and the 1,4 VTi 95 Seduction. The new C3 offers a new motoring experience with the Zenith windscreen which has an exceptional length of 1,350mm allowing the windscreen to stretch to the A pillar.
CITROËN C3 Picasso:
This good-looking people carrier is offered in two variants, both with a 1,6-litre petrol engine. This all-new model was introduced in 2010 with two derivatives in the range; the 1,6 VTi Seduction and the 1,6 VTi Seduction Panoramic, with its extended glass roof.
CITROËN C4:
The new Citroën C4, launched locally this year, radiates positive energy. It’s attractive sculpted lines, remarkable quality of finish, an array of original upmarket features and functions are all seen as excellent examples of the famous marque’s know-how in terms of creativity in design, innovation and advanced technology.
The range consists of five petrol-engined models, with the output of the 1,6-litre engine boosted to 116kW in the range-topping Exclusive EGS6.
CITROËN C4 Picasso:
The five-seater C4 Picasso and seven-seater Grand Picasso are good-looking and spacious people movers all using the 90kW 1,6-litre petrol engine. Launched originally at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, the C4 Picasso was face lifted this year.
CITROËN C5:
At every turn, from every angle, the Citroën C5 saloon shows off unique design and aerodynamic elegance. The luxurious and roomy C5 is a premium model with a choice of three engines, two of them HDi Diesels and the third a turbo petrol.
The top of the range 3.0 HDi V6 diesel engine delivers 240kW at 3,800rpm. It has a six speed sequential auto-adaptive transmission that helps it achieve 7.4 l/100km fuel economy on a combined cycle – impressive for a car with such bristling power. All the engines are matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.
CITROËN DS3:
The nonconformist styling and feisty dynamics of the Citroën DS3 1,6 THP Sport, which is already proving a massive hit with small car buyers in South Africa, touched the right chords with the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists’ jury and was selected as a finalist in the 2011 Wesbank Car-of-the-Year competition.
The DS3, with its distinctive “floating roof” and B-pillar with its “shark fin” effect, is proving attractive to trendsetters in South Africa whether they are young or young-at-heart. There are four models in the DS3 line-up 1,6 VTi Style, 1,6 VTi Style Design Pack, VTi 120 Auto Style techno pack 1,6 VTi Style Techno Pack and THP 150 Sport.
Then came the announcement that South Africa has been allocated 10 DS3 Racing models out of a total build of 2 000 of these high performance cars with a 150kW turbocharged engine. The compact, dynamic and aggressive design of this ‘little racer’ immediately catches the eye and benefits from aerodynamic research from the motor racing division.
Citroën engineers took the 1.6 THP 150 unit and boosted power from 156 kW to 200 kW for top-flight results. Torque has also been increased, by nearly 15% from 240 Nm to 275 Nm, and remains available over a wide operating range ensuring flexibility and driving pleasure.
CITROËN DS4:
The DS4 was unveiled to the public at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It combines coupé styling with so-called 2+2 door practicality: the rear doors having handles hidden in the frames seamlessly integrated into the flowing lines of the body giving the appearance of a high stance, but sleek, two-door coupe.
The Citroën DS4 made a big impression at the 26th International Automobile Festival in Paris at the end of last year. A poll by more than 60 000 motoring enthusiasts in 62 countries saw the DS4 judged The “Most Beautiful Car of the Year” for 2011.
The DS4 range consists of four models: VTi 120 Style, VTi 120 Style Sport Pack, THP 200 Sport and the turbo diesel HDi 160 Sport.
CITROËN DS5:
The striking DS family is about to grow again. After Citroën’s sporty DS3 and high-riding new DS4 hatchback comes the most distinctive offering yet: the DS5. The Citroën DS5 is the third addition to the DS-badged range and will be unveiled at the Johannesburg Motor Show.
The DS range is known for it’s eye-catching styling, and the DS5 is arguably the pick of the bunch.
The DS5 is a premium hatchback saloon crossover, sits higher than the C5 saloon. It’s features include futuristic dials, pilot-style toggle switches and a full-colour heads-up display, while a panoramic glass roof stretches above the occupants’ heads.
More details about the Citroën DS5 will be provided at the show. It will reach showroom floors in early 2012.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLES:
New Berlingo: This compact panel van is based on the platform of the C4 Picasso and places emphasis on space, with two body lengths available.
The spacious van body can carry two Euro pallets positioned one behind the other, with the shorter version having a payload capacity of 850kg and the longer version accommodating a 770kg payload. It is offered with a choice of 1,6-litre petrol or diesel engines, both delivering 66kW and driving the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.
Dispatch: The medium-sized Dispatch slots in between the new Berlingo and Relay. It offers a load volume of 6m3 and a payload capability of 1 200kg. It uses a two-litre HDi turbo diesel engine developing 88kW which is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Dispatch is also offered in a Passenger version which can carry up to eight people.
Relay: The Relay is the largest van in the current range of Citroën commercials marketed in South Africa. It is offered in a variety of sizes – three overall lengths and two wheelbases, with two roof heights to provide buyers with a wide choice of load volumes to suit their application. Cargo space varies from 10-15m3 and it can handle a payload of up to 1 850kg. It comes with a choice of three engines – the 2,2 HDi 100 (74kW), 2,2 HDi 120 (88kW) and 3,0 HDi 160 (115kW).
