On show: Grand C4 Picasso, Cactus concept car, DS3 Cabrio Racing concept, C-Elysee World Touring Car Championship racer
Grand C4 Picasso
Citroen will be giving its new seven-seater Grand C4 Picasso its formal unveiling at the Frankfurt motor show.
Using a similar recipe to last time, the new ‘Grand’ is similar to the already-released five-seater C4 Picasso but differs mainly from the windscreen back. With a stylised frame around the side windows and horseshoe-shaped rear lights set into the tailgate, it’s certainly distinctive.
No bigger on the outside than its predecessor, the new Grand C4 Picasso nevertheless has significantly more interior room due to a longer wheelbase. Huge amounts of glass, including an optional glazed roof, ensure the already spacious cabin feels really airy.
Under that short bonnet are a range of engines already seen in other Citroens but they’re joined by the new 150bhp BlueHDi diesel. Performance and economy are promised, as are low emissions with just 110g/km of CO2 when fitted with the manual gearbox.
Citroen’s latest seven-seater arrives in the UK in early 2014. Until then you can read the preview of the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso here.
Cactus concept car
Citroen’s Cactus concept might look radical and minimalist but the French brand suggests this gives clues to future ‘C’ models.
There’s a stripped back feel to it but one which is not at the cutting edge of technology with a fully digital dashboard, Hybrid Air driveline and ‘Airbumps’. This latter feature is a series of customisable, soft body panels for the sides and bumper sections of the Cactus. Whether Airbumps make production remains to be seen but they could significantly reduce repair bills for low-speed collisions.
Climb inside the Cactus and you’ll experience a mix of LCD touchscreen technology sat alongside natural materials in a light, airy passenger area.
DS3 Cabrio Racing concept
Citroen debuted the open version of the popular DS3 Racing back at July’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. It features the upgraded engine from the limited edition hatchback and looks close to being production-ready so keep an eye out for an official launch in 2014.
DS-line Fauborg Addict trim level
Inspired by the recent Numero 9 concept, the Fauborg Addict trim level will be available on DS3, DS3 Cabrio, DS4 and DS5 ranges.
Featuring special deep black paint with purple elements called Whisper, special Fauborg Addict elements also include the DS logo on the roof, jewel-like door mirror casings and diamond-effect alloy wheels with Whisper-painted elements.
Additional colours will become available after the trim level’s launch.
C-Elysee World Touring Car Championship racer
As the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) gains in popularity, more manufacturers are joining the series. Citroen is one of them using a race version of its new C-Elysee four-door saloon.
Currently, there are no plans to bring the production version of the C-Elysee to the UK, but the C4-sized saloon is likely to be popular in many markets that the WTCC visits.
Drivers Yvan Muller and multiple World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb are also at the show.
Click here for all the Frankfurt Motor Show coverage.
