Motor shows

Peugeot will introduce a new-generation version of its 208 city car and 2008 small SUV in 2019, with fully electric versions of both certain to be offered as part of the range… in Europe, at least.Peugeot future product specialist Laurent Blanchard spoke with CarsGuide at the 2018 Paris motor show, where he confirmed that the new B-segment 208 hatchback model will come with a pure electric model, as will the new-generation 2008."It will be full electric for the B-segment hatch and B-segment SUV," he said, referring to the 208 hatch and the 2008 small SUV, before suggesting that plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology is more likely to be reserved for the larger 308 and 508 (and 3008/5008) models."This is our first step towards full electrification. We think for small cars, electrification is well adapted because these cars are city cars mostly, and our customers agree to buy an electric smaller car because they don't need to go very far, so it's interesting to have an electric solution."For larger cars, people want to have the autonomy to go and do 400 or 500km. At this stage, the full electric is quite complicated because you have to stop every few hundred kilometres to recharge the car and wait one hour or more. So it's not flexible," said Blanchard."A PHEV is a good solution for a car that has to go on long trips, and the BEV is more oriented for cities, at this stage. That doesn't mean that it won't be in the future - maybe in 2025, it will be suitable for long trips.Smaller cars are being used as a test bed for electric power, with competitors in the small SUV segment including the likes of the Hyundai Kona EV, and the city car segment including the Renault Zoe.Obviously there are issues with that: the smaller the platform, the less batteries, and the less potential driving range. But countering that is the argument that the vehicles are smaller and therefore lighter, and the customer doesn't necessarily need as much range, either.Further, there's the notion that smaller vehicles make it hard to absorb the cost of new technology, but with market incentives backed by governments and the promise of improved residual value as more cities ban cars with conventional powertrains, it will likely even itself out.Blanchard said that while globally there's a trend towards slightly larger cars and SUVs, Europe remains a smaller-car-oriented place. "The B-segment is not as big as it was before, but the European market is 70 million cars, and the B-segment is more-or-less one third of this market, and we have a very big market share."It's very important for us to renew our offer in these two segments, and it's very competitive."We have to decrease our level of CO2 emissions, and the B-segment allows for us to lower our fleet level of CO2 emissions."

Impassioned is a word that describes Peugeot CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato. He says he wants to make ‘un-boring cars’, and says there is no room for a ‘Googlebox’ in his brand’s line-up.

The world of high-output, high-emissions powertrains are numbered, according to Peugeot CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato.

Porsche Cars Australia has outed local specifications for its updated Macan, with the German compact SUV checking in at $81,400 plus on-road costs in entry-level guise.

Citroen has ruled out any chance of a retro revival of some its most iconic models, foregoing the path trodden by the likes of Mini and Volkswagen.Company CEO, Linda Jackson, told Australian media at the 2018 Paris motor show that any chance of a new-generation 2CV with a high-tech electric drivetrain are non-existent. "I'm not very keen on going retro" she said. "I think we've got so much to do for the future, so many new things to launch, so many new models coming, that to spend time and money doing a 2CV - which I love, I think it's a great vehicle and it's iconic and we use it lots when talking about our history, and it was bold and comfortable - but to reinvent it again? I'm not convinced."That sentiment was echoed within the walls of the Citroen stand mere hours later, when a similar line of questioning was put to Pierre Monferini, head of Citroen future product."We don't make some retro design, to be honest" Monferini said. "It's not our cup of tea."That said, the brand has dabbled with retro models in recent times, with the introduction in limited numbers of the Citroen e-Mehari, a new-generation electric version that re-imagined the well-known Mehari model. Sister brand under the PSA umbrella, Peugeot, might be a little more open to the idea of a retro model plugging into its line-up, as it revealed the electric, autonomous and entirely make-believe  e-Legend concept model at the Paris show.This hat-tip to the 504 Coupe was washed in glorious minimalism, with simple, angular lines and a blue velvet interior, thanks very much. Just put to the side the fact the steering wheel disappears into the full wide-screen dashboard, and you could be convinced it's a retro rod.The man who oversaw the e-Legend model, Peugeot head designer Gilles Vidal, said that e-Legend offers an optimistic take on future design while acknowledging the past.  "Science-fiction shows us a scary future" he said. "There's no happy science fiction movie. I looked, there's no enthusiastic, happy sci-fi movie. They're all dark in some way or another, they're all scary. "The future, or futurism, is always a bit weird. But we said 'no', the future can be super enthusiastic, it can be emotional, it can be bright and interesting. Let's not see autonomous driving as a loss of something - it can be delightful in many ways."So we did a concept that pushes this logic, this philosophy, and by luck it's the 50th anniversary of the 504 Coupe. So we gave it the shape of a heritage car, but the form language is not retro in anyway, despite the silhouette and some graphic gimmicks on the car" said Vidal.Peugeot's CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato, told assembled media that the desire to build on three pillars - serenity, pleasure and simplicity - can be seen in this concept, which, if it were to make production, wouldn't only be offered as an electric car, but with petrol and plug-in hybrid drivetrains."This is a realistic and desirable project, which isn't seven metres long, isn't like a train car and doesn't have rotating seats. I would dream of a car like that. It combines our history with elegance and high-end French craftsmanship."This underlines the way we are writing the future with pleasure. We don't want a car that is seven metres long. But anyway, we wanted to have pleasure - driving and designing this car, it's not a question of strategy" said Imperato."I'm proud of our history and I consider that we should bet on that to write the future. I don't want to be boring." 

French brand Citroen “lost its way” in recent times, according to the brand’s CEO, Linda Jackson.

The Peugeot 508 2019 model range has been confirmed to launch in the second half of next year, with both 'Fastback' hatch and 'Touring' wagon models set to be sold in Australia.

The all-new Citroen C5 Aircross 2019 model will launch in Australia in the second half of next year, with the new mid-size SUV aiming to take a bite out of the market share currently consumed by the Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan.The Citroen C5 Aircross will be Citroen's first mid-size SUV to be sold in Australia, slotting in above the likes of the now-defunct C4 Aircross and C4 Cactus, and internationally the C5 Aircross will be positioned as the company's flagship model. Having made its international debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show alongside a handful of other crossover models, there are some key inclusions to help the C5 Aircross stand out in the crowded SUV market.The new model will be the first Citroen sold in Australia with the French brand's innovative new comfort-focused suspension system dubbed Progressive Hydraulic Cushions. This system essentially places two hydraulic bump stops at either side of the spring and strut (replacing the regular mechanical bump stops found in most cars), and is said to help reduce or even eliminate bouncing over larger bumps, while delivering a "magic carpet" ride quality.There are some other elements to help distinguish the C5 Aircross from its rivals, despite boasting a fairly class-representative length of 4.50 metres. But with its rugged looks punctuated by dual-stack headlights, Citroen's intriguing shopping-trolley-proof Airbump system, a lofty ground clearance measurement of 230mm and high roof bars, it looks a lot more adventure-focused than many of its streamlined competitors. Inside there's a contemporary minimalist design, with a 12.3-inch TFT digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Wireless phone charging and Citroen's ConnectedCAM dashcam system will be offered, too, and advanced safety tech is set to be included, too, with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and blind-spot monitoring among 20 advanced systems offered on the new model.According to Citroen, the seats are specifically tailored for comfort "memory seats that adapt perfectly to the body shape of each passenger offer an innovative comfort experience in the automotive field", the company claims, stating that it has looked to the bedding industry for knowhow when making these new seats. At the rear, the C5 Aircross that will be sold in Australia will feature a clever rear seat setup consisting of three separate sliding/folding/reclining seats, each with ISOFIX child seat anchor points. The seats can be slid fore and aft, much like the Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen Tiguan, and that allows "best-in-class" boot space of between 580 litres and 720 litres. Drivetrain options for the C5 Aircross globally will include turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines, but it isn't clear whether Australia will get both petrol and diesel models - though petrol is the front runner, given the overwhelming preference for that fuel type locally. The model or models sold in Australia will come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and will be front-wheel drive only - so much for those off-road presentation pretences.Full detailed specifications are still to be announced, but as the French brand celebrates 100 years of existence in 2019, it is expected the new model will live up to the company's standing as offering intriguing, likeable and comfortable cars."The all-new C5 Aircross is a return to Citroen's comfort credentials and, symbolically, arrives in time for the marque's 100th anniversary," said Citroen Australia managing director, Ben Farlow."The all-new C5 Aircross will underpin Citroen's line-up in its centenary year, bringing with it standout styling, unrivalled comfort and a new focus on SUVs for Citroen in Australia," Mr Farlow said. 

BMW's range of electrified vehicles will soon welcome another member, with the i4 today confirmed for a 2021 launch.

Renault has this week unveiled a new concept at the Paris motor show known as the EZ-Ultimo, an autonomous vehicle which takes a look at the future of ride sharing for high-flying passengers.