New 300HP DS 5LS R Performance Concept by Citroën will Debut in Beijing [w/Video]

Citroën will show the potential of its new China-only DS 5LS sedan with the R concept car, a performance version that will debut at the Beijing Auto Show.

Official: PSA Hires Renault's Ex-COO Carlos Tavares to Lead Company in 2014

French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroën has made an official announcement on the nomination of former Renault executive Carlos Tavares to its Managing Board from January 1, 2014, before he takes over as CEO later in the year replacing 61-year old Philippe Varin, who plans to retire in 2014.

Tavares, who left his position as Renault’s chief operating officer just this past August after more than three decades with the French company and its Japanese affiliate Nissan, will have the daunting task of fixing PSA's troublesome finances during a recession in its home market of Europe, while also expanding the automaker's operations in other regions.

Thierry Peugeot, President of the Supervisory Board, stated : "By chosing Carlos Tavares, reknowned automotive industry professional, to succeed Philippe Varin in 2014, the Supervisory Board ensures that the strategy of recovery and development to overcome the current crisis, a strategy that has been carried out for several years, will continue to be executed over the long term."

In the same statement, PSA said that Varin will remain at the helm of the company during the transition:

"During this period Philippe Varin will continue his mission as President of the Managing Board, in particular with the responsibility of carrying out strategic discussions begun with the various partners. Carlos Tavares will begin his induction into the company and its challenges, and will work with the Managing Board on the action plans aimed at continuing the recovery of the Group."

By partners, we suspect that PSA means the ongoing talks it has China's Dongfeng Motor to grow their existing collaboration, as well as with GM, albeit for the opposite reasons…

Thanks to all who sent in a tip!

PHOTO GALLERY

Former Renault COO Tavares May Run PSA from 2014, Say Rumors

Renault’s former COO, Carlos Tavares, will apparently not be spending too much time on the automotive industry sideline, as he is reportedly going to head PSA Peugeot-Citroen as of next year.

If the report proves true, Tavares would first serve under the leadership of the current first executive of the company, Philippe Varin, then take full control as the latter steps down in 2014.

Bloomberg says the information is almost official, but that it has yet to be confirmed in an official manner.

Tavares will be PSA’s third CEO in seven years, a period when the French automaker’s offerings have not been the most enticing, and even now, aside from the RC-Z and 208 GTi, it’s really hard to want any of their cars as more than adequate transportation…

Even the much talked about all-new 308 is nowhere near as good as it could have been, and it’s as if they are unable to make a well-rounded car that not only looks good or has quirky styling features – their most recent cars have even lost that, yet are not any better at the practical side (or quality for that matter).

Hopefully, this will bring about positive change within PSA, otherwise they are in serious trouble when it comes to short- to mid-term future prospects.

By Andrei Nedelea

PHOTO GALLERY

Citroen Previews DS3 World Paris Limited Edition, Only 15 Will Be Made

To mark the opening of the DS World Paris flagship store on November 27 in the French capital, Citroen is unveiling a limited edition model of the DS3. Only 15 units of the Citroen DS3 World Paris will be made, with the first one to be on exclusive display at the new venue in central Paris dedicated to DS models.

Inspired by Art Deco architecture and reflecting French artisanal expertise, the Citroen DS3 World Paris uses exclusive colors and higher-quality materials.

The model features a matte ash grey body paint matched with matching Trinitario brown roof and mirror caps. The 17-inch wheels feature a diamond effect that matches the roof and wing mirrors.

On the inside, the first DS3 World Paris model sports watchstrap style Trinitario brown Nappa leather with beige overstitching. The same leather can be found on the dashboard insert, gear lever handle and central armrest.

Each of the 15 models will be unique, with even the numbered DS World Paris badge being different from one model to another - on the first of 15 models the plaque is made from Burgundy oak. The wood decoration is inlaid in the leather dashboard insert – a similar technique is also used for the door panels.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

Citroen Updates UK C1 Range with New Trims and Pricing

It may not be apparent at first, but the Citroen C1, along with the identical Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo are some of the most fun little cars on sale today, even if all are really showing their age, despite numerous nip and tuck attempts; a replacement is on its way.

Now, the Dual Chevron’s offering has just been updated again, with featuring revised trims and specific options for the UK market.

As you’d expect, there’s nothing major going on, but whenever a manufacturer offers more kit as standard, I see it as a good thing, and it is our duty to report. The little C1’s UK lineup will consist of three trim levels, two of which are new.

Aside from the entry-level VT variant, which starts at £8,095, there’s now the midrange £9,670 Edition model and the Platinum range topper which will set you back £10,345. The latter also now offers an improved self-shifting gearbox dubbed Efficient Tronic Gearbox which replaces the sluggish old EGS. With it specified, the price is £11,245.

Still, even the most Spartan trim gets ABS and stability control, as well as front side and curtain airbags, auxiliary and MP3 sockets and rear Isofix mounts. Go up to Edition, and LED daytime running lights, 14-inch alloys, a rev counter and electric windows among others are added. Platinum adds a ‘Look Pack’ (Carlinite Grey roof, Carlinite Grey rear spoiler, Carlinite Grey door mirrors, black side rubbing strips), Bluetooth connectivity, tinted rear glass and glossy interior plastics.

Whichever you go for, it’s proven city transportation that is also surprisingly engaging to drive, thanks in part to the peppy motor with unusually long gears, compliant ride and inherent lack of grip of its skinny tires that look like space-savers…

By Andrei Nedelea

PHOTO GALLERY

Oh, Sh!t! Mikko Hirvonen Crashes Into a Pile of Manure During Rally GB

Talk about a stinky ending for Mikko Hirvonen's 2013 World Rally Championship campaign at the Wales Rally GB this past weekend. The Finnish rally pilot and his and his co-driver, Jarmo Lehtinen, had an unfortunate exit when their Citroen DS3 WRC crashed and they were forced to retire from the race.

Accidents happen at rallies and we may have not even mentioned it if there wasn't something truly foul-smelling about the crash. You see, Hirvonen landed the DS3 into a…pile of manure, which flooded (bad choice of words, I know...) the cabin.

After the accident, a manure-covered Hirvonen talked to reporters placing the blame on his co-pilot.

"It was a small mistake from Jarmo," Hirvonen said. "We had a really long flat sixth-gear corner which tightens into fifth but for some reason Jarmo never mentioned that it tightens so I just went flat out and it was a little bit too fast."

See the manure incident from a first-person perspective in the video after the jump.

VIDEO

The Imaginary Citroen DS-Porsche 911 Hybrid

The Citroen DS is a very nice classic car, that really needs no introduction, wherever you may live and whatever culture may have formed your background. The same applies for the (classic) Porsche 911, though it has now become a much more mainstream name, ever since the brand expanded in the last decades.

Both are timeless classics, with unique appeal, but it seems that some think it’s a good idea to take the two cars and create one very weird hybrid. In fact, BrandPower claims a prototype has already been built and show us a bunch of photos of which none look real.

They say it has a rear-mounted three-liter air-cooled engine, probably from a late 1970s/ early 1980s 911, but it would really be hard to mount in the back of the DS, even with the claimed pushing forward of the rear bench seat. I can’t obviously say for sure that it’s not possible at all, but it seems highly unlikely to work in the stated fashion.

Topping off the deep feeling of doubt I have about this project, are their claims to have –wait for it- taken asked German Chancellor Angela Merkel to go for a ride in it, as well as the French president Francois Hollande who apparently accepted the invitation to be chauffeured around Hockenheim in it.

Oh and that magazine cover they provided is so fake I don’t even know where to begin with it. Check out the photos below, as well as an actual successful attempt at putting a bigger motor in the DS.

It may very well be an odd yet interesting design/mechanical proposal, but a real car it certainly is not.

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References: Designboom via Autoblog , Jalopnik

PHOTO GALLERY