Citroen Reveals C-Quatre Sedan in Shanghai

Citroen has given us a glimpse of their updated European C4 extended sedan, which just took the stage at the Shanghai Motor Show. Previously known as the C-Triomphe in China since late 2006, the name was changed to C-Quatre with the Chinese launch of the facelifted C4 hatchback in August 2008. Now the sedan has received the facelift too and wears the C-Quatre name as well.

Unlike the C5, which has a full boot, while keeping the enlarged opening provided by a hatchback, the C-Quatre is a more traditional 3-box (aka sedan or notchback). This look is preferred by consumers in China, according to the French automaker. The compact four-door sedan was designed out of a joint venture between Dongfeng Motor Corporation and the Peugeot-Citroen parent PSA Group.

Some changes on the car include a redesigned front fascia, which includes a body-colored front lip, and more compartmentalized fog lights. The nose appears to stick out a bit more, and the door panels look to have a bit more definition - particularly near the side sills. It also looks as though the center of the car is raised a bit, giving a rounder roofline, and more headroom for rear passengers.

The Chinese consider the number "four" to be unlucky, but perhaps the "Quatre" name is enough to keep the numerologists feeling protected.

We can't say for certain that the Citroen C-Quatre is just for the Chinese market. The new model will be produced domestically in that country, and hits the showroom floor there this June. With the C4 sedan also produced in Argentina and on sale in Europe and South America, we wonder if other markets will also get the revised look anytime soon.

Press Release

At the Shanghai Motor Show, Citroën world premieres the three-volume C-Quatre and presents the C5 for the first time in China

Paris, 20 April 2009 - Citroën is broadening its product line-up in China and presenting two new cars at the Shanghai International Motor Show: the three-volume C-Quatre, making its world debut, and the new C5, to be manufactured at Wuhan. This product dynamic is backed by a powerful brand dynamic.

1. Strengthening Citroën presence in China

World debut of three-volume C-Quatre

Developed and produced in China, the three-volume C-Quatre will be launched in June. With two C-quatre body styles, Citroën now brings Chinese customers a complete offering in the core M1segment, the largest in China.

C5: Citroën's trump card in the high-end saloon segment

Citroën is unveiling the C5, to be produced from the end of the year at the new Wuhan plant and launched in China in early 2010. Strengthened by its success in Europe - with some 87,000 sales in 2008 - the new C5 is a major asset for Citroën success in the high-end segment in China.

By rounding out its range with the three-volume C-Quatre and the C5, Citroën is boosting its presence in the country. The Marque now covers a full 70% of the Chinese market. This product offensive is also being accompanied by a major brand transformation.

2. New brand image roll-out starts in China

Citroën is revealing the new brand image to its 217 dealers, the media and the public at the Shanghai Motor Show. Roll-out starts this year, with 20 dealerships bearing the new image by the end of 2009.

This dynamic is driven by Citroën's increasing success in China. The network will cover 230 cities by 2010. The performance of the 3,100 network members has been bolstered by the creation of 12 technical training centres since the start of the year and two sales schools, in Chengdu and Wuhan. Lastly, the initiative on service quality, a core aspect of the network renewal in China, is already showing results, with a 4th place finish in JD Power 2008 rankings.

Citroën is demonstrating its new "Créative Technologie" tagline on a 1,000-square metre stand with:

- The C4 WRC. Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena recently drove this car to their 51st World Rally Championship victory. The C4 WRC underlines the success of a vehicle family that combines good looks and outstanding on-road qualities.

- The GTbyCITROËN concept car is displayed alongside two driving simulators giving visitors the chance to play the Gran Turismo 5 game.

- The C3 Picasso, presented in its "Rainbow" version, once again embodies the Marque's spirit of creativity and innovation. Citroën's latest MPV is on show alongside the Grand C4 Picasso, imported to China since the beginning of the year, in double proof of the brand's success in the people-mover market.

- The C-Elysée CNG (compressed natural gas), launched in September 2008, recently set an environmental record, driving 1,756 km on one 51-litre tank and one 12.4-m3 gas bottle. The C-Elysée has become a market favourite since launch a year ago, with nearly 5,000 monthly sales and a record performance in March of 7,300 units, placing it 3rd in the segment.

Building on 90 years of technological innovations and automotive creativity, Citroën brings its customers a broad and modern range of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles Citroën in 2008 is:

• worldwide, 8,000 customer contact points, 13,500 employees and 1,356,000 vehicle sales
• in Europe, the leader in compact MPVs, with the C4 Picasso, and vehicles emitting less than 110 g/km of CO2, with the C1
• in China, a 2.1% market share, with 107,000 registrations in 2008

The Marque launched a complete brand transformation project in 2009, with a new identity, new customer relations and a new product line, the DS line.