Citroën's high riding DS4 unveiled ahead of Paris Motor Show

Greet Citroën's latest creation, the second member of the DS series of special models after the DS3, DS4 entirely new was revealed today on the Internet before its first public appearance at next month's Paris Motor Show.

Based on the recently revealed C4 Sedan (Citroen rival VW Golf), the DS4 is the production version of Geneva, the French car manufacturer DS High Rider Concept Salon. The main difference between the two models is that while the study design included a three-door body, the DS4 get five hidden rear door handles.

Citroen DS4 describes as "a unique and attractive mix of creativity, dynamism, exclusivity and versatility," which actually translates to a mixture of influences from many cars and design segments ranging from roof line and coupe-style rear door handles hidden in the distance from the road as more crossover.

Inside, the designers of the French manufacturer is basically spiffed up cabin with first class materials and decorative elements for standard C4 hatch, while offering more customization options and a choice of five leather combinations, including the colors of two tones.

High-end models are also equipped with high quality leather on the dashboard and door panels while all versions come with a panoramic windscreen that extends high standard back in the roof line.

The new Citroën measures 4.27 meters long, 1.81 meters wide and 1.53 meters, which is 60 mm shorter, 20 mm and 40 mm wider than the previous normal C4. It has a boot capacity 370 liters, 38 liters is less than the C4.

At launch, DS4 comes with a choice of five plants. There are two diesel options, a 110 hp 1.6 liter HDi, which can be indicated by stop / start technology and regenerative braking technology and a 160HP 2.0 liter HDi. The petrol range consists of three 1.6-liter engines that were developed in collaboration with BMW Group, including a version with 120hp naturally aspirated and turbo versions with two 155hp and 200hp.

All engines are available in manual or automated manual six-speed EGS.

The new DS4 will arrive in European showrooms in 2011, with specific details to be published in the Paris Motor Show.

 

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GM to Manufacturer New Mid-Size Pickup in Missouri, and Two New Mid-Size Models at Former Saturn Plant

[Chevrolet Colorado Concept from 2011 Bangkok Motor Show pictured above]

General Motors has revealed plans to build a new mid-size pickup truck at its Missouri plant as well as to reopen a former Saturn assembly plant in Tennessee for the production of two new mid-size models.

A GM representative declined to provide further information, saying that the company will not comment on its future products, however, the most likely candidates for the pickup truck model are the successors to the Chevrolet Colorado or the GMC Canyon.

While the Detroit automaker has released details on the Asian Pacific and South American region 2012 Chevrolet Colorado, which will be manufactured in Thailand, GM has not clarified if the pickup truck will be available in the States as well.

Whatever the new mid-size pickup truck may be, it will be built at the Wentzville plant where GM will invest around $380 million, according to details released as part of the labor pact signed between GM and the UAW, in which the company has also agreed to invest $2.5 billion in new products thus retaining or creating new jobs.

As for the two unnamed new mid-size passenger cars, they will be manufactured at GM's Spring Hill facility in Tennessee, which has been idle since 2009 after the company shut down the Saturn brand.

Story Source: Autonews [Sub. Req.]

 

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VW Wants Number One Spot, Will Invest US$86 Billion to Achieve its Goal

Volkswagen’s Supervisory Board has approved a cash influx of €62.4 billion (US$86 billion) into its automotive division over the course of five years. The investment is necessary if VW’s plan to overtake GM and Toyota and become the world’s number one car manufacturer is to succeed.

“The Volkswagen Group is investing a record amount in forward-looking projects to achieve its goal of becoming the world’s best automobile manufacturer”, said the VW Group’s CEO, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn. “We shall continue to extend our innovation and technology leadership. Top of the agenda for us are investments in environmentally friendly, sustainable models and drives.”

The majority of this investment, €49.8 billion (US$68.6 billion), will be in property, plant and equipment, with more than half invested in Germany. VW and its brands will focus on new vehicles on almost all classes, which will be based on modular architectures and use common components, allowing the cost-efficient continuous launch of models and expansion in new segments.

VW’s record spending to outsell GM and Toyota does not include its Chinese operations. The Group’s two joint ventures, Shangai-Volkswagen Automotive and FAW-Volkswagen Automotive, will receive a further €14 billion (US$19.3 billion) from 2012 to 2016 for the construction of two more plants.

This brings VW’s factory count in China to 11, out of the 62 that it has globally. “We are rather undersupplied there”, commented Winterkorn, who estimates that the VW Group could sell more than 2.4 million units this year in China.

After a best-ever 7.2 million units in 2010, VW Group estimates that this year it will increase its sales by 5% this year.

 

 

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