Sport Car: Citroen

Showing posts with label Citroen. Show all posts

2010 Citroen DS3 Yves Saint Laurent

The special-edition DS3 was created for a retrospective event honoring the fashion label and its departed founder, and was used to shuttle celebrities and VIPs around Paris.

Similar to the standard model of the DS, this special edition Citroen hatchback comes with a new red exterior color that’s combined with the black roof with that unmistakable Yves Saint Laurent logo.

The DS3 is a special vehicle for Citroen, as it marks the introduction of the DS range to the market. The new line-up will be formed by luxury incarnations of some of the carmaker’s existing models. The DS3, based on the C3, has already been launched and it will be followed by the DS4 and DS5.

Source: Citroen

Press Release

CITROËN DS3 DRESSED IN YVES SAINT LAURENT

An essential fashion accessory, the Citroën DS3 slipped into its finest outfit to welcome guests to the opening of the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective.

By linking the first model in the DS line to the designer who revolutionised the way women dress, Citroën is reasserting its Créative Technologie universe. A high-fashion version of the DS3, decked out in the colours of the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective, transported fashion and film stars to the show at the Petit Palais in Paris on Wednesday 10 March.

Organised by the Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation, the exhibition includes more than 300 pieces. Presented in their historical and cultural context, they create a panoramic vision of the illustrious fashion designer's body of work, from his Dior debut in 1958 to retirement in 2002. The public also gets its first look at the entire series of legendary photographs of Yves Saint Laurent taken by Jean-Loup Sieff in 1971.

The Citroën DS3, a sensual and muscular compact hatch, is thus taking its first steps in the fashion world, blending its unique atmosphere of luxury and distinction with the elegance and anti-conformist aesthetic of Yves Saint Laurent.

Geneva Motor Show: Citroen Survolt bridges the divide

Citroen, Concept Car, Coupes, Electric Vehicle, European, Geneva Motor Show

SURVOLT: GLAMOROUS, FREE-SPIRITED AND HIGHLY-CHARGED!

Survolt is the continuation of CITROËN'S exploration of distinctive and original electric vehicles, initiated with the Revolte concept car revealed at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Survolt turns received notions on their heads through its radically new vision in a consummate blend of high-fashion glamour and extravagance with motor-racing punch.

The desire to overcome one's limits, take things further, dare and create is written in CITROËN'S DNA. Breaking with convention, shaking up the rules, shifting borders and surprising continuously is the passionate quest and leitmotiv of a brand that over its 90-year history has never ceased to develop innovative objects ahead of their time. Survolt is one of these. It takes the genetic material of Revolte and adds an extroverted sports dimension to the mix.

Like a luxury accessory that transcends an outfit, Survolt is CITROËN'S answer to an automotive universe that all too often seems morose. Survolt casts aside protocol and transgresses existing codes to initiate a new kind of stylish, sporty and elegant supermini. Bucking current trends and pointing to the future of sleek coupés, it unites elegance, glamour and sporting passion, sublimating this last quality with its electric drivetrain.

Innovative and sensual

With its compact dimensions – 3.85 m long, 1.87 m wide and 1.20 m high – Survolt reappropriates sports car styling cues to form an all-new and revolutionary concept.

At the front, the distinctive vehicle badge reigns elegantly above the large oval-shaped grille, its centre home to the striking double chevron. The car's "look" – charming and profound at the same time – attracts and holds the viewer's gaze with a promise of transgressions suddenly made possible. Its slim, horizontal head lamps, inspired by high-performance sports coupés, exert a magnetic appeal, while an LED light signature adds a contemporary, high-tech touch.

Survolt was made to gobble up the miles and glide over roads. Low-slung and sleek, it features strong contrasts between the voluptuous bonnet and generous, sculpted flanks, highlighted by emphatic wheel arches that promise performance and thrills.

Survolt's air-slicing, flowing design is heavy on excitement and sensuality. It conveys agility, precision and vitality, barely containing a powerful, well-defined musculature under refined and luxurious wraps. The rear features the elegant light signature of Revolte together with a spoiler in an essential reference to motor sport.

Survolt is innovative and powerful but also knows how to turn on the charm, revealing its finest assets to catwalk in motor sports arenas. It features two-tone paint, hues of fuchsia and charcoal grey, and plays with materials and volumes. The curves shift from satin-smooth to shiny, breaking definitively with the classic masculine codes of the sports world. Survolt continues the work begun with Revolte by once again blending two universes with contrasting appearances. Survolt eschews decorum to create its own styling language.

The inclusion of materials such as chrome and aluminium inevitably recall the spheres of luxury goods and motor sport. Survolt is a perfect combination between high fashion and car racing, a unique alliance with the same philosophy and the same cues as Revolte, namely performance, cutting-edge technology and excellence.

Elegantly sporty

Survolt's cockpit is designed like a floating cell, a glass setting held between chrome-finished roll bars like some magnificent piece of jewellery. The leitmotiv with Survolt is to transgress the conventions of the luxury world and combine them elegantly with those of the sporting world.

The cabin was imagined as a cross between two worlds that by their essence are opposed. This union begets an organic universe, both flowing and technical, from which the driver's station springs forth. The interior as a whole was designed to bring the two occupants comfort and refinement, triggering singular pleasure and an outstanding experience.

The car's generous glazed area brings light and a sensation of space, light years from that offered by today's sports cars.

Transcendent power and excitement

Ahead of its time, Survolt captivates with its innovative, environment-friendly technology. Like Revolte, Survolt is powered by electricity, thus combining sports performance with environmental respect and sustainable development. Still particularly rare in the racing world, this technological solution also embodies a previously unthinkable alliance. But CITROËN dares and creates, transgressing conventions to better sublimate them. With irreproachable ecological credentials, the drivetrain blends driving pleasure, thrills, performance and vitality, and all in extreme comfort, since the car is silent in operation.

CITROËN is proposing a new automotive vision with Survolt, in a move that is entirely consistent with its 90-year history as an innovative brand focused on creativity and technology.

More Photos

Geneva 2010: Citroen High Rider Concept

Citroen, Concept Car, European, Geneva Motor Show

Citroen DS Hight Rider Concept live in Geneva

DS HIGH RIDER: Taking dynamics into a new dimension

Citroën created a stir in February 2009 with the announcement of a new line of distinctive products, the DS line. The new line-up reflected one of the facets of what is a true reinvention of the Marque, symbolised in its new tagline, "Créative Technologie". Rounding out the main CITROËN range, the DS line features products with more radical design choices aimed at customers looking for stand-out styling, architecture, driving feel and refinement.

Just one year after this major event, and with the DS3 now on show in CITROËN showrooms, the Marque is taking a new step in the evocation of the DS line with the DS High Rider. The new concept car embodies a contemporary vision of dynamics with compact design as a fundamental value. It opens the way to new vehicle uses, new motoring pleasure, and an innovative technological approach founded on a Full Hybrid 4 drivetrain.

Citroen DS Hight Rider Concept live in Geneva

The DS line moves forward into a new universe

With DS High Rider, Citroën is clearly remaining faithful to the philosophy behind the DS line, namely products with bold choices in terms both of styling and architecture.

Without reneging on the charms of conventional coupés, CITROËN has discovered new ways of expressing automotive vitality with this new creation - less restrictive and exclusive and more adapted to today's driving conditions, while boasting a renewed sense of driving pleasure.

Unlike regular 4-seater coupés that are long and low-slung, DS High Rider places the emphasis on muscular compact design. The body styling combined with the height of the car underline the compactness of the whole, in turn strengthening the dynamic feel.

Behind the wheel, this promise of vitality is delivered in the shape of a unique driving experience based on a blend of the following:
a windscreen that stretches far back into the roof, a passenger-focused interior architecture of the highest standards, running gear that benefits from all the Marque's expertise in driving sensations and standard-setting ride comfort.

Citroen DS Hight Rider Concept live in Geneva

Design embodying a new vision

Because it takes its inspiration directly from the values it vehicles, the styling of DS High Rider eschews all clichés in favour of an all-new, radically modern and inherently elegant shape. DS High Rider does not attempt to express vitality or versatility; rather, its body styling is a lively and pure reflection of these qualities.

DS High Rider is an object of desire that stands apart through its coherent design, that of a "beautiful automobile" placing the emphasis on harmonious forms through sensual and physically-present design that avoids caricature. Raised ground clearance and the strong on-road presence of the 19-inch diamond-effect alloy wheels structure the car's proportions and make a defining contribution to DS High Rider's character. The priority focus on authentically elegant forms also served to avoid the generic effects often used to typecast vehicles. The wheel arches and the forms of the car, particularly the flanks, are enough in themselves to express the robustness and protective character of the concept car. Components such as the front and rear bumpers, while also expressing vitality and agility, are perfectly integrated in the body styling and underline the overall harmony.

A handsome automobile and a good-looking coupé, DS High Rider also has an exclusive and elegant edge, with the beauty of its lines underlined by touches of contemporary luxury. Perfectly matching the all-new, sensual Golden Gloss body paint chosen for the initial manifestation of DS High Rider, the smoked chrome surrounds on the side windows accentuate their distinctive shape and literally highlight them. This lighting effect is also at play on the front and rear ends in the form of lamp and position light surrounds.

An animate object with a unique personality, DS High Rider is all CITROËN. It is instantly recognisable as such from the double chevron in the centre of the front end through to the compact and taut styling at the rear.

Citroen DS Hight Rider Concept live in Geneva

All-new, agile and attractive

DS High Rider brings a dynamic edge to versatility with a good dose of agility. Straight off, it comes across as a coupé redolent of movement with tightly drawn proportions. A coupé that reassures the onlooker with its subtly muscular character, one that refrains from outrageous aggression. Ground clearance is raised, giving drivers a commanding view of the road and traffic. The feeling of safety and protection is strong, but devoid of arrogance or brutality. Neither does it give the impression of taking up an exaggerated amount of space in the street, especially considering the car's interior volume. DS High Rider is roughly as long as the C4, and boasts a similarly spacious cabin.

The elegance-laced practicality of DS High Rider also hints at other pleasures, such as the textile-covered roof suggesting a top-down position.

DS High Rider's evident agility and its ability to break free of restrictions are naturally reflected in the Full Hybrid 4 drivetrain combining: an HDi DPFS diesel engine, and an electric motor fitted on the rear axle.

This set-up combines dynamic performance with environmental protection. The Full Hybrid 4 system balances the frugality of a latest-generation diesel engine with zero-emission electric mode, continuously switching between or combining the two engines. When drivers have to accelerate fast, the electric motor instantly adds its torque to that of the HDi diesel powerplant. In addition, this torque is transmitted to the rear wheels, effectively providing four-wheel drive grip and total control - and sublimating DS High Rider's dynamic qualities.

More Photos

CITROËN DS3 RACING: A STYLISH SPORTS MODEL

Citroen, European, Geneva Motor Show

There exists not one but thousands of DS3s. And now, Citroën Racing, the Marque's competition department, has created its take of the new model and transformed it into its own image. With five World Rally Championship Constructors' titles for CITROËN and six Drivers' titles for Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, there can be no doubts about the expertise of Citroën Racing.

Presented at Geneva in special livery, the DS3 Racing stands apart with its special positioning focused on sports performance and driving pleasure. An outstanding concentrate of behind-the-wheel thrills featuring an artful blend of performance and efficiency, the newcomer will take up its place in the DS3 range with an appealing combination of verve and vitality.

The DS3 Racing embodies CITROËN'S "Créative Technologie" with elegance, originality and sportiness. It is fitted with the 1.6-litre THP engine developing 200 bhp, specially tuned to bring drivers intense thrills and unrivalled on-road performance.
The DS3 Racing will be launched in a limited series of 1,000 units in second-half 2010.

Emotional design

The styling of the DS3 Racing inspires boldness, desire, vigour and ambition. The DS3 Racing is a pure expression of sportiness. At 3.94 m long, its eminently attractive, taut yet flowing lines evoke strength, energy, driving pleasure and safety.

The DS3 Racing features the same styling cues as the DS3 but adds full-blooded racing attributes suggesting a vigorous purebred character.

It boasts carbon finish on the semi-rigid front bumper, lower body trim and wing extensions, which emphasise the large 18-inch wheels with their original, high-tech racer design. The side mouldings on the doors are also finished in carbon.

The DS3 Racing benefits from aerodynamic research from the motor racing sector. It sports a carbon-trimmed spoiler to maintain stability at high speeds and a chrome-finished exhaust pipe that elegantly punctuates the car's attractive lines.

All of this rally-based equipment strengthens the definitively sporty and athletic character of the DS Racing, which signals its exclusive character with a special signature on the tailgate.

The exclusive nature of the DS3 Racing is also illustrated by the original livery of the car on show at Geneva. The body is painted dark grey, while the roof, exterior rearview mirrors and brake callipers are in orange and the grille and wheels in chrome orange. The car's singular nature is also expressed with decals on the roof, boot lid and fuel flap.

Sophisticated, individual atmosphere

The DS3-based interior gets the same special treatment as the exterior. Passengers are bathed in a refined and original top-end atmosphere. Carbon detailing is elegantly applied on the central console of the dashboard, the steering wheel embellisher, the door armrests and the hood of the instrument cluster.

The orange colour of the roof is echoed on the broad and elegant dashboard inserts, the gearstick handle and the lower party of the gearstick embellisher.

The exclusive personality of the DS3 Racing is once again clearly evidenced in the numbered plate on the roof lining, while the Citroën Racing signature adorns the backs of the specially designed seats.

Engineered for more power

The DS3 racing is all about performance. Developed by Citroën Racing, its engine benefits from all the expertise of the teams of the Marque, five-time WRC champion in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009.

Citroën engineers took the 1.6 THP 150 unit and boosted power from 156 bhp to 200 bhp 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.

The engineers achieved this by modifying and optimising powertrain components. The turbo was tuned to achieve a 30% increase in power, while the mapping of the engine control unit was tweaked to extract the quintessence of this punchy, muscular powerplant. Lastly, the exhaust gets a special tail pipe and muffler.

Running gear focused on driving pleasure

The chassis and running gear of the DS3 have been expertly modified by the engineers for the DS3 Racing to transcend the work already accomplished for the regular model. The objective was to focus on intense driving thrills and a permanent dialogue between driver and road. The DS3 Racing has what it takes to become a standard-setter in the segment on road behaviour.

To literally hug the road, front and rear track have been widened by 30 mm and vehicle attitude lowered by 15 mm. These changes bring the DS3 Racing radically different on-road performance.

The front and rear shock absorbers on the DS3 Racing have been adapted in line with the extra power and the car has been fitted with stiffer springs. These changes further improve the traction and stability of a car that is already gifted in this area, guaranteeing an excellent "reading" of the road and faster cornering in complete peace of mind.

The steering has been made even more precise, adapted to the sporting character of the car. The DS3 Racing features specific steering mapping and the control system has been modified and adapted to the new tyres. The DS3 Racing brings drivers excellent feel and a precise course.

The car's extra power is perfectly controllable thanks to a braking system with Racing specifications, for more endurance and sharper performance. At the front, the DS3 Racing gets four-piston callipers and special discs. At the rear, again for more efficiency, performance and safety, the regular production discs have been drilled. The ESP system has been programmed for extra vitality, sportiness and driving pleasure. Drivers can disconnect the system whenever they like.

The changes made to the DS3 Racing give it a temperament that ensures driving thrills, vitality and gusto.

Finalised in a special workshop

The CITROËN DS3 Racing will be finalised in a special workshop. Based on the THP 150 Sport Chic version of the DS3, it will be equipped with a parts kit developed according to Citroën Racing specifications.

Main characteristics

Dimensions (L x W x H) (mm) 3,948 x 1,737 x 1,451
Wheelbase (mm) 2,460
Engine THP 200
Type 4 cylinders / 16 valves petrol + turbo
Capacity (cm3) 1,598
Power (bhp) / (kW) at rpm 200 / 147 at 5,800
Max torque (Nm) at rpm 275 from 2,500 to 4,000
Tyres 205 / 40 R18

More Photos

2010 Citroen Survolt Concept Specification

Citroen

Citroen sprung one of the few real surprises of Geneva's opening press day when it revealed the Survolt sports car. Take a look. Dimension With its compact dimensions - 3.85 m long, 1.87 m wide and 1.20 m high - Citroen Survolt Concept reappropriates sports car styling cues to form an all-new and revolutionary concept.