Citroen C6 News

Starting with a revamped logo from this week to update its identity, the French auto firm promises and extra range of new models using its famous DS prefix, new customer service standards and eventually a new showroom look at its dealers.The major revamp includes its advertising theme that now will carry the baseline Creative Technologie.Also, starting with the Cyprus Rally four weeks from now, Citroen Sport will change its name to Citroen Racing. The outfit is the dominant team in the World Rally Championship, thanks to reigning champions Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena, who already have won the first two rounds of the 2009 WRC in their Citroen C4.The team's new name of Citroen Racing is to promote the "speed, vitality and impetus" of car rallies, the carmaker says.For its road car line-up Citroen says at present it has the largest and most diverse range in its 90-year history. But over the coming three years it will launch six new models in Europe, and time will tell how many of those come to Australia.In Australia, Citroen offers a six-model range now. Not many car brands span a market from $16,490 to $108,750. The Citroen Berlingo light van is from $16,490 and the Dispatch van from $34,990. The C3 car is from $19,990, the C4 from $25,990, the C5 saloon from $51,990 and the luxury C6 tops the range at $108,750 in Australia.But just as the mainstream car models have the C prefix, and extra tier of new models will use the DS prefix from decades ago. The first idea of the new DS is the DS Inside concept car and its expected new models will be called DS3, DS4 and DS5. 

But that did not stop Citroen delivering a few surprises at the Brussels motor show, where the new C5 made its world debut.The arrival of the C5 sedan and wagon was joined by the Nemo Combi and C8 people mover.The C5 sedan and wagon, as well as the Nemo van, are on track to arrive here this year, the C5 in September and the van soon after.However, those wanting to drive a C8 will be able to do so only through the Citroen DriveEurope lease program. There are no plans to sell the people mover here.The C5 shares sophisticated running gear with the C6 and has a two-mode Hydractive 3 Plus suspension. It comprises a double wishbone and linked hub carrier at the front and a rear multi-link set-up with a drop-link longitudinal arm.Visually the C5 shares some design elements with the C6, from the concave rear window to the extended roof line. Inside, the car uses a similar fixed-hub steering wheel to the C4's. A central display screen provides a range of information.As with other premium European sedans, the C5 has an electric parking brake with hill-start assist to hold the car stationary for up to two seconds after the brake pedal is released.Because the C5 is based on the C6 and Peugeot 407, it is slightly longer and wider than the current model but 26mm lower on a 70mm longer wheelbase. Australia specifications are yet to be determined but importers say the turbo-diesels are a definite starter.In Europe there is a choice of three petrol engines and four turbo-diesels, the 80kW 2.0-litre HDi, 100kW 2.0-litre HDi, 125kW 2.2-litre HDi and range-topping 150kW 2.7-litre V6 HDi.Importer Ateco Automotive Ltd spokesman Edward Rowe says diesels account for more than 85 per cent of current C5 sales locally and are expected to climb towards 95 per cent.“The 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel is initially manual only so will not come until it is available as an automatic,” he says.C5 prices are expected to start at about $40,000 for the entry petrol model.The Nemo Combi rounds out the Nemo family with the van version and the C8's styling brings it in line with other Citroens. 

The famed DS was one, the 2CV another and the front-wheel-drive 1934 Traction Avant was something of an outstanding revelation in both looks and handling.Next month it will continue to entrench its reputation as a leading designer by unveiling the head-turning four-seater convertible concept called the C5 Airscape at the Frankfurt Motor Show.Citroen says the Airscape is effectively the spiritual successor to the DS Decapotable convertible that was built from 1958-73.Look closely, though, and you will see the new C5 sedan in the car's profile, and the front and rear design treatment.The concept has a carbon-fibre folding roof and striking styling and is crammed with innovative technology. It has a high waistline, ribbed panels, C6-style concave rear window and sleek, aerodynamic profile.The car is further enhanced by the 19-inch alloys, large air-intakes, twin chrome exhausts and long incisive headlights.The automatic folding roof has an integrated sunroof and textile lining and is designed to look and feel like a conventional canvas roof.Inside there is a sumptuous interior of dark-brown leather and chrome. The dashboard echoes modern-day Citroens and the fixed-centre steering wheel boss is taken from the C4.Citroen has also made sure the car not only looks good but is also a showcase for innovation.Fuel economy is managed by an UrbanHybrid system that includes a reversible alternator-starter and super capacitors.This system allows on-board equipment, such as the airconditioning and stereo, to be powered by energy recovered during braking and deceleration. Engine torque can be temporarily boosted when required.The UrbanHybrid system reduces CO2 emissions by 24g/km on the combined cycle. It also has stop-start technology that switches the engine off when the car is stationary, before starting it again once the accelerator is pressed.The efficient 155kW/440Nm 2.7-litre HDi V6 engine can run on bio-diesel.The engine is shared with other Citroen and Peugeot models as well as the Land Rover Discovery.In the Airscape the turbodiesel has a particulate filter, further minimising any environmental effect.The Airscape also has a traction control system called Snow Motion, which Citroen says delivers performance similar to that of a four-wheel-drive car. 

One of the headline acts will be the French star of recent independent crash tests - the Citroen C6 - which has been acclaimed as the safest car yet tested by the New Car Assessment program.The C6, set to go on sale in Australia by the middle of the year, is the fi rst car to earn the maximum four stars from Euro NCAP for its pedestrian safety rating, as well as a maximum fi ve stars for occupant protection.It's also won an award as the world's most beautiful large sedan.The C6 is offering two V6 engines - a 2.7-litre 150kW turbo diesel or a three-litre 155kW petrol engine; both drive the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.Alfa Romeo's 156 range brought the Italian brand back to the fore in Australia with fl air and passion. It's replacement, the 159, continues in that tradition. It will offer more modern drivetrains - and even a V6 with Australian roots - when it hits the market mid year.Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, the new car will come in both front and all-wheel drive versions, with the Q4 permanent four-wheel drive system using three diffs to split drive.The Alfa Romeo 159 is the first of a whole family of new Alfas due over the next two years, including the Brera.Lexus will be the fi rst car maker to offer a luxury hybrid model, with its GS petrol-electric hybrid offering plenty of performance with the thirst and emissions of a two-litre.The Toyota-owned luxury brand also has a hybrid version of the RX SUV but the company's stand in Adelaide will feature the RX350 - which sees the looks get a nip and tuck, with a new more-powerful and more fuel-effi cient engine beneath its sculpted snout.When Volkswagen went back to the factoryowned subsidiary, they announced high hopes of surpassing 20,000 units by now. They haven't got there yet but with more than 15,000 sales last year the German car maker is on the right track.The prestige segment will see the Passat return with a vengeance this year, with direct-injection two-litre petrol and turbo-diesel engines, or a V6 petrol engine, on offer in either sedan or wagon body style.The sales have had a boost from the new Golf and the newly-introduced (and keenly-priced) Jetta, giving the German car maker plenty of ammunition to work with.Peugeot will give Adelaide show-goers a look at its new 407 Coupe, a sleek, powerful and attractive 2+2 that will be offered in petrol and diesel models on sale in Australia as the show opens.The coupe will be offered with a three-litre 155kW/290Nm V6 petrol engine with either a sixspeed manual gearbox or new six-speed automatic transmission for $65,990 and $68,190 respectively.The sleek Pug will also be offered with a 2.7-litre V6 HDi twin-turbo diesel offering 150Kw and 440Nm with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard. It will be priced at $72,500.Porsche chose to introduce the Australian motoring media to the Cayman S in the countryside surrounding Adelaide and its fi tting the German brand returns to the motor show this year with the same model.The Cayman S is more than a Boxster with a roof, sharing inlet systems and some other nice bits with the 911.The bulk of the DNA traces back to the midengined Boxster, which gives the two-seater Cayman the same basic powerplant - although slightly larger - plus the superb road manners and balance that has made the convertible a popular option among Porsche buyers.Chrysler has returned to the Australian market with plenty of enthusiasm and some interesting product, the latest and most powerful example of that statement being the 300C sedan.Soon to be followed by diesel and wagon variants, the V8 300C has serious visual impact and packs plenty of equipment to take on the big locally-built luxury sedans.The Chrysler has the added attraction of displacement on demand, which drops fourcylinders from use to save fuel when light throttle loads are required.

The C6 won acclaim by safety experts for not only high levels of safety for the occupants but providing the highest level of pedestrian safety."This is the first car in the world to have an active safety system specifically designed to protect pedestrians in the event of an accident," Citroen Australia general manager Miles Williams says. The C6's bonnet pops upwards in the event of a pedestrian accident to reduce the car's impact on people.When the C6 detects an impact, two pyrotechnic bolts release the bonnet (mounted on impact-absorbing springs) to move upwards by 65mm in just 40 milliseconds.The C6 has nine airbags, a head-up instrument display, active suspension, active headrests, a speed-sensitive rear wing, lane departure warning system, front and rear peripheral radar, low pressure diffusion ventilation and laminated side windows.It comes in two engine types including a 2.7-litre V6 turbo diesel. Full details and pricing will be announced when it goes on sale in Australia in the middle of the year.Joining it on show will be the new Citroen C4 turbo diesel which promises open-road fuel consumption as low as 4.7 litres per 100km and a range in excess of 1200km.The new 1.6 HDi engine has maximum torque of 240Nm at 1750rpm which can be increased to 260Nm at 1750rpm with an overboost function.The Citroen C4 HDi will be available in the five-door version of the C4.Prices and specification will be announced when it goes on sale next month.