Citroen reveals C-Aircross Concept ahead of Geneva

A month ahead of the Geneva Motor Show, Citroen has revealed its C-Aircross Concept which offers a new vision of the compact SUV, writes Trish Whelan.

The concept’s unique identity is inspired by the New C3. It has been given a strong, original and fresh design which combines seamless, flowing lines with the features of an SUV, on a compact body.

It contrasts smooth surfaces with bold graphic elements that are brought to life with splashes of colour. The blue body paint contrasts elegantly with Fluorescent Coral highlights, which bring out the fun side of this concept. 

The concept features ‘opposing opening doors’, including rear-hinged doors at the back for better accessibility. Inside, there’s an elevated one-piece dashboard, and suspended and raised seats. In addition to the single spoke steering wheel, the fabric-covered dash features a tinted ‘head-up display- which is directly in the driver’s field of vision. Information is given in colours that match the car’s interior colour scheme. A 12-inch touchscreen takes centre stage with driving information and infotainment updates. The system includes Citroen Connect Nav, a 3D connected navigation system with voice recognition.

The Concept also features ConnectedCAM Citroen, the on-board HD camera that premiered as a world first on the New Citroen C3.

Entirely designed in a combination of light grey and orange, the floating dashboard features a large storage compartment that stretches right across the car.

As with the New C3, the C-Aircross Concept benefits from the Citroen Advanced Comfort programme - designed as a cocoon and comfy living space for driver and passengers, and with four wide seats, and a large glazed area including a long panoramic roof.

The Concept is equipped for everyday urban journeys or mountain and coastal getaways and comes with a Grip Control dial built into the central console for a more versatile drive. This technology has five operational modes to suit all types of driving conditions and terrains including sand/off-road/snow and ESP off.

New autobox for C4 Cactus

Citroen has introduced two more versions of the C4 Cactus, including an automatic, writes Brian Byrne.

A new version of the EAT6 automatic gearbox is available linked to the PureTech 110 S&S engine, providing smoother gear-changing than before. It features two additional programmes for Sport and Snow use.

The Onetone Special Edition is based on matching tones to provide a less visually contrasting version of the C4 Cactus.

Irish prices and availability in due course.

Citroen turns 'Blue Monday' into 'Feel Good Monday

A trio of Citroen C3s have been touring Dublin today carrying out surprise ‘random acts of kindness’ to people who have been nominated by friends, writes Trish Whelan.

The vehicles, in partnership with Her and Joe websites and comedian Marcus O’Laoire have been trying to turn what’s now known as ‘Blue Monday’ — the most depressing day of the year — into ‘Feel Good Monday’.

For every nomination received, Citroen Ireland has been making a €2 donation to Make a Wish Foundation, with a target of raising €3,000.

Pictured at the launch of Citroën Ireland's "Feel Good Day" are comedian Marcus O’Laoire and Louise Murphy, Marketing Director, Citroën Ireland.

Citroen unveils its C3 WRC assault

One month before the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship gets underway at Rally Monte Carlo, Citroen Racing officially unveils its C3 WRC in Abu Dhabi.

Complying with the new FIA regulations which sees the introduction of a new generation of World Rally Cars, the C3 WRC heralds the return of Citroen with eight manufacturers’ titles and no fewer than 96 wins to the brand’s name.

For the 2017 season, the Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT will enter between two and four C3 WRCs for its crews; Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle, Craig Breen/Scott Martin, Stephane Lefebre/Gabin Moreau, and Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi/Chris Patterson. Citroen’s ambitions for the next few seasons are to win races in normal conditions by beating their competitors, and then go for world titles in 2018.

Citroen launches new C3 here

The new-generation Citroen C3 has been launched in Ireland at a starting price of €15,490, writes Trish Whelan.

Available with three petrol and two diesel engines, and a petrol automatic option, the cars comes in a choice of three grades and no less that 36 colour combination options of roof and body colour choices.

Marketing Director of Citroen & DS Ireland Louise Murphy says the new car will use four distinct strengths to attracts new customers to the model — design, customisation, comfort and technology.

Included in the exterior design is a development of the Airbumps which were introduced on the C4 Cactus. The interior has a number of echoes from the same car, including the leather-style door handles.

The new C3 has significantly more legroom for occupants, and provides a generous 300L boot.

Technology includes hill start assist, lane departure warning, reversing camera, speed limit recognition, and blind spot monitoring.

There's also a forward-camera which can be used to video document a trip and is also useful evidence if there's an incident.

(First drive impressions later.)

Review: Citroen Spacetourer

Right, vans aren’t really sexy as cars, writes Brian Byrne. But they can make very good cars, and ones which are very enjoyable to use as well as having practicalities not available in the normal passenger field.

Such is the latest medium MPV from Citroen, the SpaceTourer. A challenge to the key players in this field, Ford’s Transit-based Tourneos and Volkswagen’s Transporter Shuttle. And it’s a good challenge.

Based on the new generation Dispatch van, it’s actually rather more than a mere conversion. The front underpinnings are those of the platform which carries the highly successful C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso, so the driver accommodation and the powertrains are well designed. From there back, it’s all SpaceTourer, with the heavier duty rear axle and other important pieces which make vans rugged and able for much heavier work than cars generally have to deal with.

New C3 prices revealed

Citroen Ireland has released prices for the new C3 supermini, which launches in Ireland in January, writes Brian Byrne.

Starting at €15,490, the new car will come in three trim levels, all with high levels of specification which can include technologies only previously available in large premium brand cars.

The basic Touch trim includes safety features such as Lane Departure warning and coffee break alert, as well as comfort features including cruise control and power steering.

At the top Flair end of the range, the features include a world premiere, the ConnectedCAM camera located behind the rear view mirror. This can capture and share drive details on social media, and is also useful in the case of an accident as the view leading up to the incident time are automatically kept on the system.

Engines include the 3-cylinder PureTech range of petrol units and Euro6 diesels. A fully automatic 6-speed gearbox is available.

Citroen looking for 2017 'Ambassador Family'

Citroen Ireland is offering one family the use of a 7-seater Grand C4 Picasso MPV for a year, writes Brian Byrne.

Through the week from next Tuesday 1 November, listeners to the Eoghan McDermott Show on RTE 2FM will be asked to guess which famous family he's impersonating on a hypothetical road trip.

Correct entries each day will be in a draw for a Family Pass to Dublin Zoo, and each day's winning family will be in another final draw for the use of the 171-registered car from a live broadcast in Dundrum Shopping Centre on the Friday.

The winning family will be Citroen's Ambassador Family for 2017. The show is broadcast from 4pm-7pm each weekday.

Citroen Ireland is also currently running its 'Le Grand Tour’ Roadshow, touring the country until 27 November to give people a chance to get up close and personal with the New Citroen C3

Customers who place orders by putting down a €500 deposit during the Le Grand Tour will receive their deposit back as a €500 Christmas shopping voucher for Dunnes Stores.

C4 Cactus Rip Curl available in Ireland

A special edition of Citroen's C4 Cactus, the Rip Curl, is now available to order in Ireland with a starting price of €23,995, writes Trish Whelan.

In addition to special graphics related to the global surfing brand, the vehicle gets Citroen's Grip Control traction system which offers modes to deal with a variety of challenging driving situations.

The Cactus Rip Curl also has special 17" alloys, and there's a choice of 110hp petrol or 100hp diesel engines.

Standard equipment includes alumnium-effect front and rear bumper protectors; rear parking sensors; a colour reversing camera; automatic air conditioning; automatic headlights and wipers; satellite navigation; a 6-speaker MP3 audio system; cruise control/speed limiter; tinted rear windows, and panoramic sunroof.

Citroen launches new C3 Grand Tour

Citroen has organised a Grand Tour of its new C3 supermini in advance of its launch in Ireland in January, writes Trish Whelan.

The smart new car is expected to play a major part in bringing Citroen Ireland to a 2.2pc market share next year.

Le Grand Tour is running from this week until 20 November and will include dealer events in their own locality, with World Rally themes to celebrate the recent reveal of the new C3 WRC.

All guests at the events will receive a Free Winter Check and are also in with the chance of winning a VIP Rally Experience for two people to the World Rally Championships in 2017.

Customers who place orders by putting down a €500 deposit during the Le Grand Tour events will receive their deposit back as a €500 Christmas shopping voucher for Dunnes Stores.

Citroen network awards

Kilkenny Vehicle Centre has been awarded the Citroën & DS Automobiles Dealer of the Year Award 2016, from a network of 20 authorised dealerships nationwide. John O’Neill was officially presented with the award by Chris Graham, Managing Director, Citroën & DS Ireland at the 2016 Dealer Conference which took place at the Mullingar Park Hotel last month.

He is pictured above with Chris Graham, his wife Bernadette, and Louise Murphy, Marketing Director, Citroën & DS Ireland.

Bolands Waterford were awarded the Citroën & DS Automobiles Aftersales Dealer of the Year Award 2016. Sales Manager, Keith Browne was presented with the award.

South Dublin based dealership, Köping, was announced as the Citroën & DS Automobiles Sales Dealer of the Year for 2016. Dealer Principal, Paul Mooney, was officially presented with the award.

New Citroen WRC Concept

Citroën Racing will be offering a first look at the new C3 WRC concept car at this year's Paris Motor Show, opening later this week, writes Brian Byrne.

The concept has a striking visual design based on the brand new C3 also to debut at Paris. The actual racer will compete for the first time at the Monte-Carlo Rally in January 2017.

The Citroën team is already more than familiar with the WRC, having won 8 manufacturer's titles and boasting a record 96 wins.

CXperience for Paris concepts new C5

Citroen has revealed details of its CXperience concept car ahead of the Paris Motor Show, which suggests the design thoughts of the next C5, writes Brian Byrne.

A sleek and elegant shape is underpinned by plug-in hybrid powertrain which has an EV range of up to 60km and offers a total engine output of up to 300hp.

Storage and connectivity are prime features of the car, as is a ‘sound bubble’ system which allows occupants to listen to different music choices.

The concept’s name recalls the CX executive car produced by the company between 1974-1991.

Kilkenny students train with Ian Madigan

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