Geneva Motor Show 2004 - Citroen

Citroen’s show stand was dominated by its all-new World Rally Championship contender.

The Citroen Sport WRC concept car provides clues to how the new C4 small hatch will look when it replaces the Xsara this autumn.

It has a long, sloping roofline ending in a steep rear glazed section, although Citroen says production versions of the C4 will have a more conventional roofline to ensure decent cabin and boot space.

The C4 will also lose the WRC car’ deep front bumper, side skirts and spoilers, although its large wraparound headlights and bold new insignia design are set to form a new family look for future Citroen models.

Three- and five-door versions of the new C4 will be unveiled in finished form at the Paris Motor Show this September, before reaching showrooms later this year. An MPV version to replace the Xsara Picasso is in development, and will probably have an optional third row of two seats. It is likely to go on sale by 2006.

Also on the Citroen stand is a 'soft-roader' version of the C3 supermini, called the X-TR. Like the Rover Streetwise, the C3 X-TR has a bodykit that includes roof bars and large front and rear bumpers. It is mechanically identical to the standard C3 and doesn’t have any off-roading ability, despite its looks.

Prices and specifications have yet to be confirmed, but the X-TR is likely to cost from £12,000 and be available with 90bhp 1.4 and 110bhp 1.6 petrol engines, as well as a 92bhp 1.4 turbodiesel. The petrol cars will use Citroen’s SensoDrive semi-automatic gearbox, while the diesel will have a manual transmission.

Citroen is also developing its C6 saloon for launch next year, and styling clues have already been provided by concepts such as the C-Airlounge. An all-new C1 city car, developed in conjunction with Peugeot and Toyota, is set to arrive by early 2006.