C-Triomphe IN CHINA, A WORLD FIRST
Building
on the success of the C4, sold in more than 280,000 units worldwide in
2005, Citroën is launching a new model in China, C-Triomphe. This
modern, innovative saloon features all the characteristics and
innovations currently driving the success of the C4, while adopting the
notchback body style preferred by the Chinese market. C-Triomphe is
produced at Wuhan on the base of the C4, but with a longer wheelbase.
Through its styling, architecture and high-tech features, this saloon
meets the requirements of customers looking for modern design, comfort
and safety. Presented in Shenzhen on 18 February 2006, it will make its
market debut at the end of second-quarter 2006.
Through this
launch, Citroën is strengthening its assets in China and expanding its
range. In fourteen years, the Marque has sold 600,000 vehicles in this
market, primarily through the success of the ZX Fukang notchback and
the Elysée (models specific to China).
In 2005, Citroën outpaced the market, with a 34% sales increase and
100,000 vehicles sold. Now, the Marque is aiming to increase its market
share and to continue growing its activities in China.
C-TRIOMPHE: PRESTIGE EXPRESSED THROUGH
ELEGANCE AND INNOVATION
C-Triomphe,
a notchback saloon with strong and innovative styling, expands the
Citroën range and further strengthens the Marque's assets on the
constantly changing Chinese market. This new and remarkably spacious
vehicle boasts the many advantages of the C4 in terms of innovation,
driving pleasure and safety.
A vehicle of status with strong, dynamic, prestige styling
C-Triomphe
takes the form of a notchback saloon, 4.8 m long and 1.77 m wide. It is
a car of real personality and presence, with exclusive, high-status
design.
This new saloon reflects Citroën's style cues. The lines
are elegant, flowing and harmonious. The chrome trim running the length
of the waist line emphasises the prestige looks of C-Triomphe and
clearly identifies it as a vehicle of status. The boomerang-shaped
lights at the rear echo the shape of the headlamps. The front and rear
are linked by a chrome strip that underlines the spacious boot.
The car has a reassuring, protective look with its body style, 16"
wheels, high waistline and imposing rear overhang.
A new benchmark for comfort and space
The interior design places the emphasis on space, well-being
and comfort to create a relaxed in-car ambience.
With its long 2.71 m wheelbase, C-Triomphe is exceptionally spacious.
It sets a new standard in rear space, with its generous leg room. The
ergonomic seats of C-Triomphe are designed to provide exceptional
comfort, by damping vertical vibrations. The driver and front passenger
seats are electrically controlled. At the same time, C-Triomphe
features exceptional boot capacity of 513 litres VDA. The practical
layout of the boot is further enhanced by the 60:40 split/fold rear
seat.
The sophisticated interior design is highlighted by the light-coloured
leather upholstery, fitted from the second level of trim, and the wood
finish on the dashboard and door panels. Practical stowage compartments
are placed around the cabin, including drawers under the rear seat. The
glovebox can be cooled, and a 5-CD stacker is available under the rear
seat between the two drawers.
Particular attention has been given to acoustic and thermal comfort.
Air conditioning (automatic from the second level of trim) is standard.
At the same time, to further improve comfort for rear passengers, an
air blower fitted in the central armrest diffuses air towards the rear.
The output can be adjusted and air vents make it possible to direct the
flow of air. Completing this array of equipment, C-Triomphe is equipped
with a sunblind for the rear window.
Innovations for onboard comfort and relaxed driving
Like
the C4, C-Triomphe boasts a host of innovations in driving ergonomics
and on-board comfort. It features many modern, efficient driving aids
designed for easy, relaxed driving.
The ergonomic driving position
features a fixed-centred controls steering wheel. The fixed hub groups
the main comfort functions and driving aids. This layout places the
emphasis on ergonomics and easy use, thus promoting driving pleasure
and safety.
The steering wheel is associated with a display unit of original design
in which driving information (vehicle speed, speed limiter and cruise
control settings, etc.) is shown on a translucent strip in the centre
of the dashboard. The display contrast adjusts instantly to the light
to provide perfect legibility is perfect in all circumstances, by day
and night, in full sunlight or in darkness.
C-Triomphe also boasts a number of other features that are new or rare
on the Chinese market:
- a speed limiter and cruise control, standard across the
range;
- Xenon
dual-function directional headlamps, active in the low-beam and
high-beam positions, to improve lighting and visibility when cornering.
In this way, they improve safety and enhance driveability at night.
They are coupled with telescopic headlamps washers that are fully
integrated with the styling of the front bumper;
- a scented air freshener, integrated with the design
of the dashboard, lets the driver customise the odour environment with
a wide choice of refined and subtle fragrances.
At the same time, C-Triomphe is equipped as standard with fog
lamps, electric door mirrors and rear parking assistance.
Exceptionally polished road manners
Manufactured on platform 2 of the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group,
the C4 is a reference for roadholding and active safety.
C-Triomphe shares the running gear of this platform. It is equipped
with variable power steering as standard. The braking system comprises
four discs, two of which are ventilated at the front. At the same time,
dedicated stability and braking assistance/control functions provide
exceptional roadholding. ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution,
emergency braking assistance and the automatic illumination of hazard
warning lights are standard. ESP is standard from the second level of
trim.
A reliable and reassuring vehicle
The
C4 also sets high standards in passive safety, as illustrated by its
excellent results in EuroNCAP crash tests. C-Triomphe also shares the
structural reinforcements of platform 2. Like the C4, it boasts a wide
range of features in this area. These include an additional impact
absorber at the front end of the subframe to distribute energy more
effectively in the event of frontal impact. At the same time, the boot
effectively absorbs rear impact.
C-Triomphe is fitted as standard
with a driver airbag (shape-optimised thanks to the fixed centre of the
steering wheel) and front passenger airbag. It also features driver and
front passenger chest airbags with curtain airbags for passengers at
the front and rear. Seatbelts with three anchor points, pyrotechnic
pretensioners and force limiters are also standard.
Dynamic performance with the 150 bhp DIN 2.0i petrol engine
C-Triomphe
is equipped with the 2.0I engine developing 108 kW EEC (150 bhp DIN),
which meets Euro IV standards. This engine is mated to an automatic
sequential or manual gearbox. The 2.0i 16V engine develops maximum
torque of 200 Nm at 4,000 rpm. It features continuously variable
valve timing (VVT) to optimise filling of the combustion chambers at
all engine speeds. Torque of 170 Nm, almost 85% of the maximum torque
available, is supplied from 2,000 rpm, providing exceptional
driveability.
CITROËN SALES ON A GROWTH PATH
In
2005, Citroën increased its sales in China by 34%, selling 103,000
vehicles in a market that expanded by 26%. In fourteen years, Citroën
has sold 600,000 vehicles in this market, through the joint venture
Dongfeng Citroën Automobile Company (DCAC), and subsequently Dongfeng
Peugeot Citroën Automobiles (DPCA).
103,000 vehicles sold in 2005
The
Chinese market, which now totals around 3,200,000 cars, has resumed a
strong pace of growth, after slowing down in the second half of 2004.
The rate of growth gathered pace in the second half of 2005 (38%) to
total an average of 26% for the year. The year 2005 saw a massive
roll-out of new models by most of Citroën's competitors.
Against
this backdrop, Citroën sold 103,000 vehicles, a 34% increase, and
expanded its market share from 3% in 2004 to 3.2% in 2005.
A total of 600,000 Citroën vehicles produced and sold in
China over fourteen years
In fourteen years, Citroën has produced and sold 600,000
vehicles in China.
C-Triomphe will be produced at the Wuhan plant, which currently
produces the ZX Fukang, ZX Fukang 988, Xsara Picasso and Elysée for the
Citroën brand. In April 2005, Citroën launched the new look C5 as an
imported vehicle. The C6 will make its market debut in China at the end
of 2006, also as an imported vehicle.
A well established and continuously developing sales network
Citroën
has devoted considerable efforts to its long-term future in China. The
implementation of an extremely dense network is a key factor. This
network comprises more than 350 customer contact points in over 250
towns and cities. The network has undergone extensive technical
and sales training to achieve world class standards in terms of service
quality.
Vehicles manufactured
in China
|
Launch dates
|
ZX
|
April 1992: ZX Fukang
Sep. 1998: ZX Fukang 988
Jan. 2004: restyled ZX Fukang
|
Elysée
|
June 2002: Elysée
Jan. 2003: Elysée VIP
March 2003: Elysée VTS 1.6i 16V
|
Xsara Picasso
|
Nov. 2001: Xsara Picasso
March 2004: Xsara Picasso 2.0i 16V
Automatic
|
Xsara (5-door)
|
April 2003
|
C-Triomphe
|
End of second-quarter 2006
|
Imported vehicles
|
|
C5
|
April 2001: C5
March 2005: new look C5
|