biker

I was going thru my junk mail yesterday and came across the 05 lineup for Citroen (the Chevy of France/Europe if you will).

Using a naming convention similar to Audi, the lineup goes from micro car C2 up to the C8 minivan. The most obvious thing in the brochure is that Citroen has no SUVs and no pickups (an American invention that has not migrated out of the Americas). Imagine the Chevy lineup without those two categories - GM would be bankrupt.

To make up for the lack of those two categories, they two two minivans (a large C8 and a smaller Xsara) and a utility vehicle (pickup substitute) called the Berlingo (roughly the shape and size of the smallest US mail delivery vehicles).

Drivetrains go from a 1.1l I4 w/ 61HP up to a 3l V6 with 210HP. Lots of diesels available. MT is the normal tranny but AT is available. New features folks in the US are oohing and ahhing about are available in many models (keyless entry with push button start, swiveling xenon headlights, lane departure warning system, paddle shifters on the wheel, panoramic moonroof, park assist, voice control, NAV, etc)

The C4 compact 3 or 5 door (the Chevy Cobalt of the lineup) can be had with just about all of the above features for less than 30K.

1killercls

F23A4

Not being USDM since forever, I have little concept of which Citroen is which. Although the mechanics here could use the gainful employment (w/overtime), I really hope the French dont export French built cars stateside.

biker

http://www.citroen.co.uk/c4/homepage.asp?pagetype=c4

I think it's the only car that has a steering wheel where only the outside of the wheel rotates - fixed steering hub. Now if they could just do something about the exteriror.

biker

http://www.citroen.com/CWW/en-US/RAN...C4_5p/default/

8 engine choices!

F23A4

Looks like a cross between the Prius and the new Infiniti M.

I seriously doubt that all three diesels engines will make it stateside, seeing as there's VERY limited demand for diesels here (unlike in Europe where diesels are in much greater demand). But I would like to see the HDi motor in action. (The common rail diesel in the MB E320D puts out pretty impressive performance for a diesel motor.)

And I doubt that the 180hp 2.0L is anything to write home about. Especially when it has to compete against 210hp K20As.

gavriil

During my trip to Europe, for a couple of days I was driving in a Citroen C3 Pluriel 1.6 (among other cars).






















In two words: Fun Car. Like a Mini or a Beetle. Mostly targeted to women I'd dare to say. Dont misunderstand me, it has none of the Mini's reflexes and handling capability whatsoever. It's a lot closer to the Beetle on that respect. Due to the roof being..."convertible", it's got a lot of ridgidity issues. I could tell the body flexes a lot while on uneven roads, even as a passenger right from the beginning.

Citroen calls this, five cars in one. It's a coupe, a targa, a cabrio, a truck and a...something else I cant remember.

It was equipped with the same type of tranny as in our CL (in auto trim), what Citroen calls Sensodrive. BUt it wont hold gears when one reaches redline.

Zoot

i like how they merged the insignia into the grill.....nice touch

biker

Did you miss the part about this being a Citroen - which will probably never be sold in the US?

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Wait, where's the Xsara that they are basing the current WRC car off of?

F23A4

Did you miss the contemporary trend called Globalism??

TSX 'R' US

hmmm...not bad...

biker

Peugeot/Citroen has no tie in with any maker in the US, so very little of what they put out will influence the US market. If this were a Renault, I can see your point of influencing some of the lesser Nissan offerings in the US.

F23A4

Reading Material

Key phrase: "mulling entry after 2004"

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Forget it. Considering how unpopular anything French is right now and how absolutely shit poor the reliability record of the Citroen and Peugeot models sold in the past in the US were, it would take a virtual miracle for this to happen.

gavriil

This is the WRC Car


This is the Xsara production car


But it has been substituted recently by the Citroen C4 which has been accepted by the media with a very positive reaction lately.










This is the WRC C4

gavriil

Chances we'll see Citroen selling in the US by 2012 are close to zero.

gavriil

Aint happening any time soon. Note that the article is written in 2002. PSA is nowhere near ready to enter the USA market even with one offering. If I see them enter by 2010, I will be very surpirsed. Renault as someone said above, has much better chances entering due to the Nissan connection.

gavriil

Currently, I'd put the former reason you mention is a major issue. And it's only getting worse with the French.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Hmm...I haven't seen that run the WRC race just yet. Saw the season opener at Monte Carlo with Sebastian Loeb and Francois Duvall still driving the Xsaras.

charliemike

I dunno about anyone else but I'd shop a Peugeot.

F23A4

Although I wouldnt, I'm certain you're not alone. And I bet PSA knows too.

gavriil

Yes. You will see this car run soon.

gavriil

Like which one?

biker

The 407 would be direct competitor to the TSX. Very nice car.

F23A4

I see that Peugot cars are still an acquired taste.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Hmm...the exterior is pretty good, but the interior looks rather blah...

Zoot

the 607 is HOTTT even though a lil bit dated

DownUnder

I'd love to have this concept Peugeot 407.

gavriil

Hehe...

Yeap.