Citroen Blog
French Centerfold: Citroën teams up with GQ and Savile Row tailors for new conceptFiled under: Coupe, Europe, Citroën, Specialty, Design/Style 
GQbyCITROËN Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
GQ, the UK's leading monthly men's magazine, certainly knows a thing or two about the fashionable gentleman. And judging by the GQbyCITROËN concept, the fashionable fellas know a few things about svelte car design, as well. The GQbyCITROËN concept is a collaboration between Dylan Jones, GQ's editor, and Mark Lloyd, a British designer who is most recently credited for the new Citroën DS3. We must say, we're very attracted to it. Makes sense, then, that GQ and Citroën are branding this concept as "the ultimate gentleman's drive."
The GQbyCITROËN rides on the values of the classic GT theme, and designer Lloyd thought a proper grand tourer was much more suited to the GQ style, saying:
For me, the car that has always represented the pinnacle of automotive excellence and refinement is the GT - the Grand Tourer. It is not the all-out sports car, rather it is something gentlemanly, it has performance and it is for traveling, not racing. We wanted to create something that, like GQ, was aspirational, but also retained the classic automotive ideals. We didn't want a car for the mass market. We wanted a car for GQ.
The cabin, accessed by rear-hinged coach doors, features a futuristic yet stylish cabin, with detailing and upholstery selected by Patrick Grant, the creative director for E. Tautz, a men's tailor found in the prestigious Savile Row in London.
Because the GQbyCITROËN is purely a concept car, mechanical details are slim, but Citroën says that the car is powered by both a plug-in hybrid system as well as a 1.6-liter inline-four with direct injection, which achieves a 0-60 time of just 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited, of course). Seems a bit far-fetched, but no matter, because we doubt a production version will ever see the light of day.
The GQbyCITROËN makes its official debut in the April issue of GQ, released on March 4th. Pick up a copy on your local newsstand, or simply scroll through our attached gallery to see high-res shots of this sleek new concept.
[Source: Citroën]Continue reading French Centerfold: Citroën teams up with GQ and Savile Row tailors for new concept French Centerfold: Citroën teams up with GQ and Savile Row tailors for new concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva 2010: Citroen DS High Rider rides in on its high horseFiled under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Citroën
Citroen DS High Rider - Click above for high-res image gallery
The French can do style. But their automakers don't do much in the premium market this side of the Veyron. Citroen, however, is bent on bridging that divide with its new DS range.
Reviving the iconic nameplate, the DS line kicked off right here last year with the DS Inside concept. The production version, dubbed DS3, has since hit the market - overseas, anyway - but that's only the first chapter in the saga. Up next is the DS4, and this is the concept that shows the way. Called the DS High Rider, the show car is based on the C4 hatchback but transformed into a premium three-door crossover.
Along with the DS3 Racing and the Survolt concept, Citroen took the wraps off the DS High Rider here at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, highlighting that the French automaker is one of only six that has participated in every edition of the exposition over the course of its 80-year history. It's an intriguing concept, but don't take our word for it: Have a look for yourself in the gallery of live shots below and the studio shots below that.
Photos by Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Geneva 2010: Citroen DS High Rider rides in on its high horse originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva 2010: Citroen DS3 Racing is no escargotFiled under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Citroën
Citroen DS3 Racing - Click above for high-res image gallery
For those who may have yet to notice, Citroen's been dominating the World Rally Championship for the better part of a decade now. But notwithstanding the odd special edition C4 or Xsara, the French automaker hasn't capitalized on its rally success in the same way as Subaru and Mitsubishi have. Soon Citroen Sport will be switching from the C4 to the new DS3 in line with the new WRC format, but they're not waiting around to see how it fares before launching a rally-inspired version for the road. And this is it.
Called the DS3 Racing, the premium hot hatch is a limited edition packed with bits and pieces garnered from its WRC dominance. That means 200 horsepower from its 1.6-liter turbo four, a 15-millimeter lower sport suspension, upgraded brakes and the requisite trim enhancements. The result may look like a jack-o-lantern with a French accent, but make no mistake about it: the Mini Cooper JCW has been put on notice.
Unfortunately, this is one of those mouth-watering machines kept from American shores, but you can take a closer look in our gallery of live shots from the Geneva show floor (where it debuted alongside the Survolt and DS High Rider concepts) by click-clicking the thumbnails below.
Photos by Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.Geneva 2010: Citroen DS3 Racing is no escargot originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva 2010: Citroen Survolt bridges the divideFiled under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Citroën, Electric 
Citroen Survolt Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Of all the automakers in the world - and by the world, we mean the world outside the United States - Citroen's design arguably runs the gamut more than any other's. On the one hand, you've got cheap, compact and quirky hatchbacks like the comically named Revolte concept revealed in Frankfurt half a year back. On the other, you've got the GTbyCitroen, an extreme exotic supercar concept, now slated for limited production. In between lies a gorge as big as, well, France itself. But the chevron-emblazoned automaker has bridged the divide this year in Geneva with an intriguing concept called the Survolt.
Not digging the Revolte/GT comparo? Think Bugatti Veyron meets Chevy Volt, circa "Hackers". Beneath the compact sportscar shape, splattered with more neon graphics than "Tron", lies an all-electric powertrain. Citroen's provided little in the way of details regarding the propulsion, but you can read more esoteric prose about the design in the press release after the jump. Better yet, check it out for yourself in the gallery of live shots from the Geneva show floor below, and the studio shots in the gallery below that.
Photos by Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Continue reading Geneva 2010: Citroen Survolt bridges the divide Geneva 2010: Citroen Survolt bridges the divide originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsAutoblog Podcast #167 - Excitement builds for GenevaFiled under: Podcasts, Geneva Motor Show, Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Kia, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Citroën 
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
Episode #167 of the Autoblog Podcast is a fine quartet of Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth. We breeze through the Autoblog Garage, filled with a snow-tired Camaro, a pair of Audi cabrios and a Kia Forte Koup, before hitting the news.
Audi's updated RS5, with a clear-voiced 4.2-liter V8 is up first, followed by the want-it-now BMW 5 Series Touring. We're not done with Europe yet, kicking around the Mercedes-Benz F800 and Citroën DS3 Racing before heading across La Manche to check out the Lotus Proton PHEV and then discuss Kia's Magentis renderings. Wrapping it up, we surmise what Chrysler's purported refreshes might turn out to be and talk about the overwhelming crush of Toyota recall and Congressional hearing news before taking some questions and calling it a night.
Direct fanmail to Podcast at Autoblog dot com, review the show in iTunes, fill out our survey or even leave us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Until next week, hit up Joystiq and Engadget when podcast loneliness sets in. Thanks for listening!Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #167 - Excitement builds for Geneva Autoblog Podcast #167 - Excitement builds for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments200-HP Citroen DS3 Racing confirmed for Geneva [w/video]Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Citroën 
Citroën DS3 Racing - Click above for high-res image gallery
A year ago we got our first peak at the new Citroën DS3 in a darkened alcove off the French brand's main stand in Geneva. As Citroën prepares to start building the DS3 for the road, its tasked its racing department - the same division that's created so many WRC-winning rally cars - to create a hotter version, and the DS3 Racing is headed to the Geneva Motor Show.
Only 1,000 examples of the DS3 Racing will be built when production begins in the second half of this year. All of them will be motivated by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four that has been extra pressurized to bump output from 156 horsepower to a full 200 hp. Getting power to the ground is always a challenge in a front-wheel drive car, so the suspension and steering have been worked over by the motorsports crew. More robust springs and dampers and a new wheel and tire package lower the car by 15 millimeters and extend the track by 30 mm. Four pot calipers on the front help to dissipate kinetic energy when the time comes to slow down the party.
Assorted carbon-finished (we're not sure if its actual carbon fiber) bits around the bumpers, wheel arches and rocker panels add to the "performance" image while the show car in Geneva will be further "enhanced" with DS3 Racing graphics. Inside, the front seats have been swapped in favor of more bolstered buckets to fully utilize the handiwork of the rally team's modifications. Given how much fun a John Cooper Works Mini can be, we expect the DS3 Racing will be equally up to the task of bombing the back-country. Full details in the press release after the jump, along with a video of the DS3 Racing in action.
[Source: Citroen]Continue reading 200-HP Citroen DS3 Racing confirmed for Geneva [w/video] 200-HP Citroen DS3 Racing confirmed for Geneva [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsAutoblog Weekender: Full-of-Questions EditionFiled under: Geneva Motor Show, China, Videos, Hummer, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Smart, Citroën, Australia, Middle East 
The Autoblog Weekender - Click above to check out what you missed
This slightly belated Weekender is extra full of the week's car news, starting off with a union of cars and alcohol that only Aussies would think of putting together. In the opposite hemisphere but the same corner, reporters with China's Caixing news site take an uncharacteristically critical look at BYD and find suspect claims and institutionalized corporate cloning that has made its CEO and Warren Buffet even richer. Back on this side, Smart hasn't lost its relevance, just its place in people's minds, so it's using hot dogs to try and get its mojo back while Citroën uses John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe. And when is a model car not a model car, when does an AMG float, and where in the world do you use an H2 to tow a snowplow out of the snow? The answers are right after the jump...Continue reading Autoblog Weekender: Full-of-Questions Edition Autoblog Weekender: Full-of-Questions Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsGeneva Preview: Citroën teases DS High Rider concept *UPDATEDFiled under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Citroën, Luxury 
Citroën DS High Rider Concept - click above for high-res gallery
Citroën has released the dark teaser images you see above, previewing the new DS High Rider crossover concept that is expected to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
The silhouette shows a high-riding GT-type body style, similar to such past Citroën show cars as the 2005 C-Sportlounge and the 2008 Hypnos. The concept is a diesel hybrid, but this being a show car, anything can happen along the road from concept to production. While the DS4 is expected to borrow its underpinnings from the C4 (like the DS3 does from the C3), the bodystyle ought to further distance the premium crossover from the mass-market hatchback.
This will be the second vehicle in the DS line from Citroën, following the DS3. When it debuts in Geneva, it is expected to be accompanied by the DS3-R (or DS3 Racing) hot hatch, while a DS2 based on the unfortunate Revolte concept is also tipped to be in the works.
*UPDATED: More images and PR information added.
[Source: Citroën]Continue reading Geneva Preview: Citroën teases DS High Rider concept *UPDATED Geneva Preview: Citroën teases DS High Rider concept *UPDATED originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsLeakage: Citroen DS3-R heading to Geneva?Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Citroën 
Citoen DS3 Racing leaked - Click above for image gallery
Think of a road-ready rally machine, and what pops into your head? Likely the Subaru Impreza WRX STI or Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, right? Well Subaru hasn't won the World Rally Championship in seven years, Mitsubishi in eleven. In fact, neither is even trying anymore: Both have withdrawn from the championship. No, that territory is Citroen's to claim. The French automaker (with its star driver Sebastien Loeb) have been the reigning champs since 2004, but Citroen hasn't really capitalized on its gravel-drifting prowess with anything even approaching what of the WRX and Evo. Until now.
Although the current C4 Loeb has won the past three world rally championships in remains in active duty for another season - with former F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen taking the wheel in the junior team - after that the new rally-spec DS3 (previewed in a batch of spy shots a few months ago) will take its place. From the looks of things, however, Citroen isn't waiting around for the DS3 to match the C4's dominance before they roll out the street version.
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.
The car pictured features wider wheel flarings housing bigger hoops and riding on a dropped suspension. Sources peg it at 15 millimeters stouter than stock, with NAFTA four-pot brakes front and rear. Under the hood, the 1.6-liter turbo four is tipped to produce between 200 and 210 horsepower, driving through a six-speed manual (the jury's still out on the presence of a limited-slip differential) and likely to the front wheels to propel the DS3 Racing to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds. The Halloween livery may be a love-it-or-hate-it affair, but this is likely what we'll see, if the reports prove accurate at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. For our part, we'll take ours in deep blue, with a big red leaping bull on the side and our names printed above the doors.
[Source: Autoblog Spanish]Leakage: Citroen DS3-R heading to Geneva? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsToyota gas pedal recall woes spread to Peugeot / Citroën in EuropeFiled under: Europe, Recalls, Toyota, Peugeot, Citroën 
The massive Toyota sticking-accelerator pedal recall has spread from the United States to Europe and even beyond Toyota-branded vehicles. Approximately 90,000 Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1 minicars have been added to the list of afflicted models. PSA, the parent of Peugeot and Citroën, has a joint venture with Toyota in the Czech Republic that produces the 107, C1 and the related Toyota Aygo.
The minis share the same electronic pedal assembly design used in the 2.3 million Toyotas being recalled in North America, as well a 1.8 million vehicles in Europe. In addition to the Aygo, Toyota has identified the iQ, Yaris, Auris, Corolla, Verso, Avensis and Rav4 in Europe. In total Toyota is recalling 7.5 million vehicles worldwide.
We don't know for sure but it seems unlikely with this many vehicles involved around the world that CTS is the sole supplier of these parts. If CTS is not the only supplier then it appears likely that the issue is more of a design problem than a manufacturing issue at one plant or supplier. It is also possible that it could be a software issue unrelated to the hardware itself.
Update: We checked with Toyota spokesman Curt McAllister who confirmed that Denso is the other major supplier of this pedal assembly.
Update 2: Curt McAllister sent us a note to clarify that CTS and Denso are the pedal assembly suppliers for North America only. We're not sure who the suppliers are for overseas markets including Europe and Asia but we'll look into it.
[Source: The Guardian]Toyota gas pedal recall woes spread to Peugeot / Citroën in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Citroen targeting Mini Cooper S with DS3 hot hatchFiled under: Performance, Hatchback, Citroën  Citroën DS3 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Citroën's got big plans for its DS3. Not only is the premium hatchback launching the new DS line for the French automaker, but the vehicle itself is set to breed some serious performance variants. Now, following a batch of spy shots showing a rally-prepped version of the DS3 comes reports that parent company PSA is considering giving the green light to a street-legal performance version. So with the likes of the Alfa MiTo and upcoming Audi A1 closing in, the Mini Cooper S has been put on notice yet again.
Just how close to home will the prospective DS3 hot hatch hit? Considering that the Citroën shares its PSA/BMW co-developed engine with the Mini, pretty close. As it is, the top-of-the-line DS3 packs a 154-horsepower version of the 1.6-liter four, hitting 60 in an admirable 7.3 seconds. With output expected to come between 170 and 200 hp, the hottest DS3 could not only take on the Cooper S, but also other hot hatches like the SEAT Ibiza Cupra and Clio Renaultsport 200, to name just a few. Sources peg its launch for some time next year, so stay tuned.
[Source: PistonHeads]Report: Citroen targeting Mini Cooper S with DS3 hot hatch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: PSA Peugeot-Citroen, Mitsubishi inch closer to stock swapFiled under: Mitsubishi, Earnings/Financials, Peugeot, Citroën
Peugeot 4007, a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander - Click above for high-res image gallery
'Tis the season to form mergers, and the latest could involve a large stock swap between Mitsubishi and PSA Peugeot-Citroen. The two automakers have longstanding ties that include such projects as the Mitsubishi iMiEV electric car (which Peugeot has shown as the iOn) and the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV (which Peugeot sells as the 4007 and Citroen as the C-Crosser). But now the rapprochement could be entering a new stage.
In a potential tie-in that could mirror rival French automaker Renault's alliance with Japanese automaker Nissan, reports suggest that PSA and Mitsu are on the verge of a stock swap. Insiders aren't sure what sort of arrangement could be brokered, but speculate that PSA could take effective control with a large minority stake in Mitsubishi in exchange for either stock in PSA, cash in hand or a combination of both.
The strengthened partnership would stand to help PSA, Europe's second largest automaker, compete not only with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, but also with Volkswagen, Europe's largest automaker which is teaming up with Suzuki for presence in Asian markets. Industry analysts, however, note that with PSA already burdened with growing debts and given Mitsubishi's relatively small production and market share, the move could be ill-advised for the French auto group. On speculation of the potential partnership, PSA stock reportedly fell 3.6 percent, while Mitsubishi's rose 7.5 percent - the largest respective drop and gain for each automaker in months. Thanks for the tip, Vladimir!
[Source: Bloomberg]Report: PSA Peugeot-Citroen, Mitsubishi inch closer to stock swap originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsReport: Peugeot, Citroën get new design chiefsFiled under: Europe, Peugeot, Citroën, Design/Style 
Hope for France: Left to right, Gilles Vidal, Jean-Pierre Ploué and Thierry Metroz
There was a time when "France" and "design" were nearly synonymous, at least in the automotive sphere. Delahaye, Voisin, Bugatti, Talbot-Lago (including the high-water mark Figoni et Falaschi "Tear Drop" cars), etc. Prewar, no one had anything on the French. Even Peugeot and Citroën were in on the action; the former producing the elegant 402 and the latter building the glorious Traction Avant.
However, after the Great Depression and post-WW2 auto shakeout, the scenery changed. Sure, Citroën still had a few design masterpieces left in the tank - the 2CV, the DS and SM. Peugeot made some excellent cars (205, 404) but they certainly weren't lookers. Then a few years back, Peugeot bought Citroën. Since that time, Peugeots have become wildly bizarre-looking, while Citroën has produced exactly one beauty, the C6. Point being, France's automotive designs are a far cry from their prewar glory days.
PSA Peugeot Citroën wants to change that trajectory. Under PSA design leadership of Jean-Pierre Ploué, Gilles Vidal has taken over design of Peugeot and Thierry Metroz is now in charge of how Citroëns look. Metroz might have an easy time of it, as Ploué has to some degree set Citroën on a halfway righteous path. Again, we're big fans of the big C6 and in truth, the C3 and DS3 are pretty much OK-looking as well. Monsieur Gilles, however, has his work cut out for him. Have you looked at a 3008 or an 807 lately? Not so hot.
[Source: CAR]Report: Peugeot, Citroën get new design chiefs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVIDEO: Citroën C3 Visiodrive advertisement is for swingersFiled under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Citroën 
A Citroën commercial without robots or an NRJ radio station soundtrack? We might have thought it impossible, but here it is. Promoting the new C3 hatchbach and its zenith windscreen meant to give you all kinds of panoramic views, the kids take this car on a joyride unlike any you're likely to see outside of a Top Gear episode.
Follow the jump for more information on the C3 and to see the swingin' commercial along with a special "making of" video.
[Source: Citroën via YouTube]Continue reading VIDEO: Citroën C3 Visiodrive advertisement is for swingers VIDEO: Citroën C3 Visiodrive advertisement is for swingers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsUmlautfest: Kimi Räikkönen signs with Citroën Red Bull rally teamFiled under: Motorsports, Citroën 
Kimi Räikkönen is now a WRC driver. The Flying Finn will pilot one of two Citroën CR4 Junior Team cars with Kaj Lindström as his co-driver. It's been in the works for a while, and from the sounds of it, no one appears to have any doubts that Raikkonen will do well there. Team boss Olivier Quesnel rates the ex-Ferrari pilot highly, saying, "What he did there in a S2000 was amazing," when speaking of Kimi's run in an Abarth in a Finnish rally earlier this year.
Even 2003 WRC title winner Petter Solberg puts Kimi in with a shout, commenting, "If he's in a decent World Rally Car next season I think he could finish between third and fifth on some rallies." This will put four Citroën cars in next year's Championship, with returning title winners Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, Dani Sordo and Marc Marti, plus the junior cars of Räikkönen/Lindström and Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Julien Ingrassia. You can check out Citroën's official release after the jump.
[Source: Citroën]Continue reading Umlautfest: Kimi Räikkönen signs with Citroën Red Bull rally team Umlautfest: Kimi Räikkönen signs with Citroën Red Bull rally team originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsIs Peugeot-Citroën on the verge of buying Mitsubishi?Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Mitsubishi, Earnings/Financials, Peugeot, Citroën 
The French and the Japanese have gotten together to form a magic partnership once already with Carlos Ghosn at the helm. The question is, then, can that success be replicated? PSA Peugeot-Citroën seems to hope so, and it is reportedly on the verge of purchasing a controlling stake (somewhere between 30 and 53 percent, depending on the report) in Mitsubishi Motors.
The total price for the acquisition would cost the European automaker over $3 billion and the deal would also include Mitsubishi acquiring a somewhat smaller stake in PSA Peugeot-Citroën - again, similar to the situation between France's Renault and Japan's Nissan.
So, what does Mitsubishi have that Peugeot wants? Three things, apparently: A presence in the States, SUV expertise and, perhaps most importantly, electric vehicle technology. If a deal does indeed take place, the resulting entity would be the sixth largest automaker by sales in the world.
[Source: BusinessWeek]Is Peugeot-Citroën on the verge of buying Mitsubishi? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsUniversal Soldiers: F1 aces Raikkonen, Vettel and Kubica lured by rallyingFiled under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Renault, Citroën 
It used to be that a racing driver would pick his form of motorsport at the beginning of his career and stick with it for the duration. Sure, there have been a few notable exceptions - especially among the Finns - but these days, it seems as if the exceptions are gaining on the norm. F1 drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya are moving to NASCAR, WRC aces like Sebastien Loeb and MotoGP champs like Valentio Rossi are trying their hand at F1, while F1 champs like Michael Schumacher are checking out motorbike racing. But the latest trend has a growing number of current, active Formula One drivers contesting rallies on the world stage.
The most notable is Kimi Raikkonen, who has driven a few rallies behind the wheel of his own Punto Abarth. Now that he's looking to sit out of the next F1 season, all indications are that the departing Ferrari driver will find his way into the WRC. While downplaying the lingering prospect of the 2007 Formula One champion racing for the newly-christened Mercedes Grand Prix team next season, his managers are reportedly hard at work to get him a WRC drive for 2010. The most likely scenario would place Raikkonen with Citroen: Both the French rally team and the Finnish driver are sponsored by Red Bull, and the rapprochement could could pave the way for Kimi to return to F1 in 2011 for Red Bull Racing.
Even Red Bull's current F1 ace, Sebastian Vettel, has reportedly expressed interest in trying his hand at rallying, although his team principal is reportedly against the idea. After winning the Nations Cup at the Race of Champions together with Schumacher three years running, the young German has certainly demonstrated the versatility of his talent.
Meanwhile, the highly-rated Robert Kubica is preparing for his second rally since leaving BMW Sauber for the Renault F1 team. After a dismal first attempt, the Pole is set to return to the wheel of a Renaultsport Clio R3 Maxi for the final round of the French Rally Championship at Var next weekend. If Kubica manages to finish this time around, we could yet see more F1 drivers following him onto the rally scene.
[Sources: Autosport and F1-Live | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]Universal Soldiers: F1 aces Raikkonen, Vettel and Kubica lured by rallying originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsREPORT: Citroen Revolte concept to enter production as DS2Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Citroën
Citroen Revolte concept - Click above for high-res image gallery (if you must)
Sometimes we're happy when a concept car gets approved for production. This time around... not so much. According to reports from across the pond, the Citroen Revolte concept has been approved for production and will carry the DS2 badge when it arrives.
The concept car was unveiled a couple of months ago at the Frankfurt show, and suffice it to say, it wasn't exactly the best looking debut at the expo. Supposedly reviving the iconic 2CV, the Revolte concept certainly lived up to its name. The production version, meanwhile, is tipped to take on the DS2 nameplate as part of the French automaker's new premium line-up that started with the DS3 and is slated to grow with the inclusion of the DS4 (based on the upcoming new C4) and DS5 (based on - you guessed it - the new C5). Power for the DS2 is expected to come in the form of a range of three-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines when it hits the streets sometime around 2011.
The best we can say is this: At least it will remain far away from the States, as Citroen stays out of the North American market.
[Source: Auto Express]REPORT: Citroen Revolte concept to enter production as DS2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVIDEO: Helpful French people teach you how to change your Citroen's oilFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Citroën, Humor, Luxury 
Assuming most of you are Citroen owners, we're confident you'll find the following video extremely helpful. Even if you just own a DS or CX and not a full blown SM, it's useful. Heck, even you 2CV owners might learn a thing or two. For the tiny minority of you out there that don't own Citroens, we will admit that yes, compared to an aircraft carrier a Chevelle, an SM is a little tricky to work on. But as long as you view the SM like an airplane -- meaning a series of subsystems -- rather than one, single insanely complex French-Italian mashup (the "M" in SM stands for "Maserati) you'll do just fine.
In fact, after consuming two bottles of Bordeaux and half a pack of Gallouses you'll be able to repeat the following (from the maintenance section of an SM website): "The backspacing of the crankshaft bore accepting the oil pump shaft is not controlled adequately. The oil pump drive shaft commonly falls into the crank and runs on a small area of its splines thus wearing rapidly. A simple fix is to add a compliant spacer (so as not to end-load the oil pump) in the splined hole in the crankshaft timing sprocket." And hey, so what if the AC compressor is driven by the timing chain and routinely rarely jams and grenades upsets the engine? With easy to follow maintenance videos like this one, you have nothing to fear but fear itself. And Citroen SMs.
Note: If you work in a brothel, mens' prison or the San Fernando Valley, the video after the jump is totally safe for work. Otherwise, consider it NSFW. And yeah, we wish the clip featured a European SM, and not the compromised, non-hydraulic headlight US version. Still, NSFW!Continue reading VIDEO: Helpful French people teach you how to change your Citroen's oil VIDEO: Helpful French people teach you how to change your Citroen's oil originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | CommentsCitroen's 2011 DS3 rally fighter revealed in spy shotsFiled under: Motorsports, Spy Photos, Hatchback, Citroën, Specialty 
Citroen DS3 WRC test mule - Click above for image gallery
With all the regulatory changes in Formula One over the past couple, the rally world is arguably in the midst of an even greater state of flux. Manufacturers are dropping out of the World Rally Championship en masse, the rival Intercontinental Rally Challenge is closing in fast, and soon the WRC will be changing to a more cost-effective formula. Along with it, the participating manufacturers will be developing new rally machinery, but none will be as important as the one you see here.
With rally superstar Sebastien Loeb behind the wheel, Citroen has won five consecutive drivers' titles, and five out of the past seven manufacturers' titles as well - first in the Xsara and then in the C4. But to adapt to the new formula, the French rally team will be switching to a rally-spec super-mini.
Rather than basing their new challenger on the new C3, however, Citroen has opted to use the opportunity to promote the more premium DS3, released in production form just last month at the Frankfurt show. The Mini rival's avant-garde interior has been stripped out and fitted with a pair of competition buckets and a full roll cage. And to keep the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine breathing, the Citroen rally team has fitted its new machine with more scoops than a paparazzo. The rally-prepped DS3 is expected to hit tarmac, gravel and snow for the 2011 season, but you can check it out now in the gallery of photos below.
[Source: Racingpassion via Autocar]Citroen's 2011 DS3 rally fighter revealed in spy shots originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
Citroen History
2CV
SM Sport Maserati
International tuning racing & styling
French Classic Cars |
