Blog Auto Review

To make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show, the new version of the Citroën C3 Picasso, which has sold in over 320,000 units, is more distinctive than ever with its bold styling and innovative architecture.

New styling features include a new front bumper with the new chevrons along with LED daytime running lights for a sportier feel. Two new body colours are on offer, Nacré white and Encre blue, accompanied by new upholstery choices (new cloth for Confort trim models and optional Mistral Claudia leather). The Citroën C3 Picasso also gets new 15-inch and 16-inch light alloy wheels.

The new Citroën C3 Picasso is available with the eMyWay satnav system including jack and USB sockets and a Bluetooth hands-free kit. The system can be hooked up to a reversing camera for easier manoeuvres. Other new features include fog lamps with static cornering lighting, an electrochrome interior rearview mirror and a front ceiling console with LED ambient lighting.

A dramatic new concept car from Nissan, to be given its World Premiere at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, heralds a possible new design direction for the company.

Called the Nissan Hi-Cross Concept, the proposal looks at ways to extend Nissans leadership of the crossover market with a possible expansion of the current Juke-Qashqai-Murano portfolio. Created in Japan, Hi-Cross Concept is compact yet surprisingly roomy, elegant yet purposeful and - being a Nissan - its clever with it.

Its smartness takes two forms. Despite its modest external proportions, Nissan Hi-Cross Concept has a highly space efficient interior with three rows of seats for seven passengers.

Equally as clever is its hybrid drive train, coupling an electric motor - powered by a Nissan-developed compact lithium-ion battery - with a 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine to provide the performance potential of a 2.5-litre with the economy and emissions expected from a much smaller unit.

Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., said: "Nissan created the crossover segment with Murano and has expanded the genre with top selling cars like Qashqai and Juke. Nissan Hi-Cross Concept shows we are not sitting still, resting on our laurels, but exploring ways of cementing our crossover leadership by exploring new ideas."

For the concept, the HEV drivetrain is based on new technology developed by Nissan for front-wheel drive models, but modified to provide four-wheel drive. The new systems innovative approach to affordability and packaging adopts one-motor, two clutch technology linked to Nissans new generation XTRONIC continuously variable transmission which by itself achieves a 10 per cent improvement in fuel economy over comparable previous generation CVTs. The low friction design has smaller shaft-diameter pulleys with a new belt to give the widest possible ratio coverage for enhanced efficiency.

The hybrid drivetrain makes extensive use of battery technology developed for the award-winning Nissan LEAF. The high output, fast-charging compact lithium-ion battery, linked to high-level motor control technology, provides acceleration assist when needed and permits downsizing of the petrol engine for optimum economy and emissions.

In city driving, the presence of the electric motor and lithium-ion battery allow the engine to be turned off frequently. It can also be disengaged completely with the clutch, and energy can be recovered effectively when braking.

Built on an extensively revised version of Nissan Hi-Cross Concept sits on a 2780mm wheelbase. It is 4660mm long, 1850mm wide and 1670mm tall, with 21-in. alloy wheels. The styling combines existing Nissan design cues with new elements, at the front it has a characteristic V-shaped grille set off by distinctive lighting signatures provided by stylish new headlamps.

Potential new design language is showcased, in particular, by a bold character line which extends from the bonnet down the flanks of the car to the D-pillar. At the rear it has distinctive lighting signatures provided by stylish rear combination lamps echoing with headlamp lighting signature. Inside, the seven-seat cockpit is dominated by a new T-wing shaped dashboard.

Building on 90 years of innovation, the Citroën brand has extended its product offer and developed a new line to stand alongside its main range: the DS line. Today comprising the Citroën DS3 and DS4, the DS line targets customers looking for radical and assertive cars and seeking a resolutely modern approach to premium products.

The Citroën DS5, set for launch in late 2011, is a new phase in the development of the DS line. The innovative and visionary model fits perfectly with the brands "Créative Technologie" baseline and features even bolder choices in style, architecture, sensations and refinement. The Citroën DS5 experience is about fully embracing the pleasure of driving an outstanding vehicle. A singular creation, the Citroën DS5 surprises and appeals with:

The DS line, comprising the DS3, DS4 and DS5, is produced in France and sold internationally. The Citroën DS5 will be launched in Russia, Latin America and China in 2012.

Citroën DS5: DARE TO SURPRISE, ALWAYS ATTRACT
Innovative and visionary, the Citroën DS5 openly states its difference. It is an object of pleasure, an emotional vehicle that stirs the imagination, transforming each trip into a unique journey.

An aerodynamic sculpture
The Citroën DS5 had a bold source of inspiration: the C-SportLounge concept car. The objective for the Marque was to go even further with the real production vehicle.

The Citroën DS5 surprises. By its style, by its singular proportions and by its instantly recognisable silhouette. The one-in-a-million body looks like a shooting break possessed by the spirit of a Gran Turismo.

A unique creation, the Citroën DS5 is an aerodynamic sculpture made of now flowing now taut lines, promising the onlooker an amazing drive.

The front end instantly identifies the Citroën DS5 as a member of the DS family with an oversized air intake, a wide, chrome-plated grille housing the chevrons, and an incisive gaze underscored by the LED light signature.

The Citroën DS5 fully expresses its personality in profile. The body exudes vitality and the promise of a well-appointed interior. The sculpted sides catch the eye and create a play of shadow and light. The light is reflected by a slender chrome sabre running from the tip of the headlamp to the front windows. The sabre, cast in one piece, signs the exterior styling of the Citroën DS5. The shadow of the flanks is cradled in the recessed curves of the rear wing, a distinctive characteristic of DS line vehicles.

The rear view further underlines the rank of the Citroën DS5 on the road. The car sits squarely on wide tracks, underlined by twin exhaust pipes built into the rear bumper and highlighted by a rear signature of six light guides.

The design approach of the Citroën DS5 combines these good looks with aerodynamic efficiency. The side air intakes on the bumper visually widen the front end while channelling the air flow around the wheels. The one-piece polycarbonate quarter-light features built-in aerodynamic deflectors. The result is an extremely aerodynamic design, with a Cx of just 0.29 and an SCx of 0.69 m2.

Powerfully bewitching with its sharp gaze, amazingly attractive with its refined detailing, and definitively extraordinary with its daring silhouette, the Citroën DS5 appeals, naturally.

Elegance down to the last detail
The body is cloaked in an alternation of chrome-finished details (side strips, double tail pipe, sabre) and gloss blacks (front and rear bumper strips, window weather strips), together with generously sized diamond-effect alloy wheels (from 16 to 19 inches) whose design expresses movement.

The Citroën DS5 is available in eight body colours, and the chrome work also comes in a smoked version called "Dark Chrome".

Charismatic cabin
Charisma and appeal are in abundance inside. The Citroën DS5 expresses its singularity with a uniquely styled cabin, inspired by the world of aviation and fully delivering on the promise of the exterior styling.

The cockpit roof is the most symbolic feature. A new interpretation of the sunroof adapted to the Citroën DS5 universe, the cockpit roof is divided into three wells of light (0.58 m2 of glazed area), each one of which can be covered individually, and creates an original light signature day and night.

The driver-focused driving position combines the posture of a coupé with the style of a Gran Turismo. Highlights include a wraparound dashboard, vertical steering wheel with a broad wheel centre, driver-oriented information, and a wide central console with a small gear stick positioned in the natural continuation of the drivers forearm.

The main controls are grouped in the centre of the vehicle in two central consoles, one positioned lower down and one on the ceiling, equipped with buttons, thumb wheels and special toggles, to be handled with a pilots touch. A feast for the imagination.

The Citroën DS5 also benefits from Citroëns finest expertise in quality and refinement. It boasts authentic, premium materials such as finest-grain club leather and aluminium touches, some with a rubbed finish. The seat upholstery - including "Sportlounge", combining vitality with refinement, and "Watchstrap", a true signature of the DS line - is unique on the market. The specially designed central console uses multiplex technology that offers considerable stylistic liberty. Citroën expertise is visible in the great care paid to each detail.

ORIGINAL ONBOARD EXPERIENCE
Motorists increasingly are looking for cars that are easy to use day to day while fully delivering on driving pleasure. The architecture of the Citroën DS5 was designed to reconcile fun at the wheel with comfort, and aesthetics with practicality.

Compact and roomy
The Citroën DS5 is an outstanding car with an intelligent design that transcends the usual compromises between driving pleasure and shared well-being. This daring challenge was met with out-and-out success.

    At 4.53 m long (25 cm shorter than a Citroën C5 saloon), 1.85 m wide and 1.51 m high, the DS5 is sleek and compact. This compact design brings two advantages: more agility and responsiveness but also improved fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.
    The compact exterior in no way undermines cabin comfort. On the contrary. The Citroën DS5s generous boot volume, of up to 468 litres VDA, rivals that of a Sportwagon. The DS5 also has five real seats, five doors and saloon-like rear accessibility and spaciousness.
    Alongside the usual storage areas, including the glovebox and those in the door panels, the central console has a 13-litre double storage compartment under the armrest. The upper part of this compartment features Jack and USB sockets for connecting mobile devices unobtrusively. The lower part, cooled and lighted, can hold a 1.5-litre bottle. The upper console on the cockpit ceiling includes two eyewear storage areas that push open, while the driver gets a storage compartment located next to his or her left hand.

A show on the road
Cabin lighting plays a key role in the Citroën DS5 onboard experience. The LED-based interior lighting gradually lights up the cabin. The driver simply pushes the hands-free start-up button to bring the cabin to life. The transparent colour head-up display is deployed to display essential driving information, the three digital pads and instrument cluster needle spring into life. The ambient lighting creates a display of intermittent reds and whites around the driving position: red for the "radio" and "navigation" zones and the door-opening controls, and white for the cockpit console, air conditioning and hybrid thumb wheel… Youre already on the road.

A velvet-smooth atmosphere
The amazing experience on board the Citroën DS5 is also a result of the velvet-smooth atmosphere, with cushioned, dull sounds. Acoustic treatment on the DS5 is similar to that of other recent Citroëns, with excellent insulation from exterior noise, filtered road noise and suppressed wind noise.

To achieve this result, soundproofing and sound absorption applied as close as possible to the sources of the noise. Each part of the Citroën DS5 was acoustically treated:

Onboard technologies
Together with comfort equipment, including dual-zone automatic air conditioning with three air flow levels (soft, medium, intense), the Citroën DS5 is available with a comprehensive range of audio and telematics equipment to enhance travelling comfort:

Accessories for enhancing car travel
The Citroën DS5 is available with a range of accessories for enhancing car travel:

TECHNOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE
The Citroën DS5 features the very best in technology to provide an easy and relaxed drive combined with satisfying at-the-wheel sensations.

Technology for driving
For stable and efficient road manners, the Citroën DS5 is fitted with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist and ABS, as well as a new Citroën innovation, intelligent traction control, combined with ESP for optimum vehicle control in the most delicate driving situations..

The DS5 is also equipped as standard with the Citroën eTouch service to remain connected in all circumstances. eTouch is a secure and free system available 24/7 using a built-in SIM card, notably including localised emergency and assistance calls (depending on country) to get the emergency services to the car as quickly as possible in the event of an incident or accident. Citroën eTouch features two additional services via the web: a virtual maintenance manual, for alerts on mechanical or safety incidents and information on upcoming servicing, and an eco-driving service, for monitoring fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

In true Citroën spirit, the DS5 is a concentrate of simply obvious technologies. It was designed with useful and intuitive innovation in mind to make driving easier. Together with tried and tested technologies such as hill-start assist, an electric parking brake, parking assist and a programmable speed limiter-cruise control, the Citroën DS5 is fitted with:

Dynamic road performance
The Citroën DS5 provides all-new driving sensations with a unique at-the-wheel experience combining dynamic handling and ride comfort:

Four fuel engines
The third model of the DS line will be available on launch with two Euro V diesel engines equipped with particulate filters: the e-HDi 110 Airdream (EGS6), with new-generation Stop&Start micro-hybrid technology reducing CO2 emissions by up to 15%, and the HDi 160 (6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic), boasting remarkable performance for a pleasant and safe drive.

The Citroën DS5 is also powered by two turbocharged petrol powerplants with direct injection, both of them Euro V compliant and developed with BMW: the THP 155 (6-speed auto) and the THP 200 (6-speed manual). The THP 200 offers a remarkable drive with power of 147 kW and maximum torque of 275 Nm at 1,770 rpm.

The first Citroën with Hybrid4 technology
The DS5 is the first Citroën fitted with full-hybrid Hybrid4 technology combining the on-road performance of an HDi diesel and the efficiency of electric power. The system provides heady driving pleasure - with 200 bhp, four drive wheels, electric mode in cities, accelerator boost - along with extra low CO2 emissions, at just 99 g/km.

The originality of the Hybrid4 system lies in a blend of several technologies:

Hybrid4 technology offers several different driving settings. Using the thumb wheel on the central console, drivers choose from one of four modes: Auto, ZEV, 4 Wheel Drive and Sport.

    "Auto" is the default setting. To optimise fuel consumption it automatically handles switches between the fuel engine and the electric motor.
    "ZEV" (for Zero Emission Vehicle) is for driving with the electric motor only, for speeds of up to 60 km/h. Range in ZEV mode is between 2 km and 3 km, after which the car automatically switches back to "Auto".
    "4 Wheel Drive" is used when drivers need enhanced grip at low speeds. The front wheels are powered by the internal-combustion engine and the back wheels by the electric motor. Ideal for tough ground and low-grip situations such as snow, mud and sand.
    "Sport" provides extra responsiveness and vitality by making maximum use of the electric motor on top of the fuel engine. Accelerations and gear changes are revitalised by an electric "boost".

One of the pleasant automotive surprises over the last few years has been the return of the two-door coupe, or rather, the coupe version of popular four-door sedans. There’s something about the revised body style a sleek coupe delivers that transforms a family sedan into something much more aggressive, even if it may be nearly mechanically identical to the sedan its based on. Cars in this category have included the Altima and Camry Solara coupes, as well as the Honda Accord Coupe we reviewed a few weeks ago. While the Solara has left us for the moment, the others have proved popular, and Hyundai’s Elantra Coupe fits in quite nicely with this group of very enjoyable automobiles. Additionally, in the case of the Elantra Coupe, the practicality of the sedan version is still largely present in the two-door, while still delivering a more stylish, and sporting, personality.

The 2012 Nissan 370Z Coupe is one of the latest version of 2012 Nissan. A 2012 Nissan 370Z Coupe is a 2-door, 2-passenger sports car, available in 3 trims, ranging from the Base to the NISMO. The 2012 Nissan 370Z Coupe is available at price of $31,450 - $40,830.

Upon introduction, the 2012 Nissan 370Z Coupe  Base is equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 332-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 7-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. Affordable high-performance sports cars dont get any better than the 2012 Nissan 370Z.

The 2012 Nissan 370Z Coupe  NISMO is equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 350-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The 2012 Nissan 370Z Coupe will ride on a shorter wheelbase than the previous car and uses more lightweight materials. Those changes net a lighter curb weight, meaning all around performance acceleration, braking and cornering will see a marked improvement. The 2012 Nissan 370Z Coupe Suspension duties for the new car are handled by a double wishbone setup up front with a multi-link setup out back. Brembo brakes and 18 and 19 inch wheels are also be part of the 370Z package.