A speed limiter is a governor used to limit the top speed of a vehicle. For some classes of vehicles and in some jurisdictions they are a statutory requirement, for some other vehicles the manufacturer provides a non-statutory system which may be fixed or programmable by the driver.
115-671: The Citroën C3 Picasso is a car produced by the French motor company Citroën from 2008 to 2017. It has a five-door mini MPV design and was first unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show as a concept car named "Drooneel". The Picasso is the mini MPV version of the Citroën C3 and the successor of the Citroën Xsara Picasso , and was designed to compete with the Opel Meriva , Nissan Note , Renault Modus and Ford Fusion . The C3 Picasso
230-776: A "go slow" on production of trucks for the Wehrmacht , many of which were sabotaged at the factory by putting the notch on the oil dipstick in the wrong place, which resulted in engine seizure. In 1944 when the Gestapo headquarters in Paris was sacked by the French Resistance , his name was prominent on a Nazi blacklist of the most important enemies of the Reich, to be arrested in the event of an allied invasion of France. Citroën researchers, including Paul Magès , continued their work in secret, against
345-529: A 1.6-litre HDi engine and 4.6 L/100 km; 52 mpg ‑US (62 mpg ‑imp ) at £ 15,595. A facelifted version of the car was shown at the 2012 Paris Motor Show on 27 September 2012 and was on sale in Europe by November. All C3 Picasso models have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), child locks, remote central locking and two front airbags. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , once an option,
460-563: A 10 HP car that would be better equipped, more robust and less costly to produce than any rival product at the time. The result was the Type A , announced to the press in March 1919, just four months after the guns fell silent. The first production Type A emerged from the factory, located at Quai de Javel , Vaugirard , Paris , at the end of May 1919 and in June it was exhibited at a show room at Number 42, on
575-472: A 38.2% share of Citroën and on 9 April 1976 they increased their stake of the then bankrupt company to 89.95%, thus creating the PSA Group (where PSA is short for Peugeot Société Anonyme ), becoming PSA Peugeot Citroën . In May 1975 Maserati was sold to De Tomaso and the new Italian owner was thereby able to exploit the sales potential of the models and technology developed by Citroën, as well as to utilise
690-502: A 5-speed manual gearbox until 2011, when 6-speed manual and automatic (EGS6) manual versions were introduced, along with an eco-friendly start-stop system and regenerative braking technology in certain models, notably the Exclusive and Tendance models for the German market. According to Citroën, these two new features reduce CO 2 emissions significantly and their introduction coincided with
805-422: A C3 Picasso Confort 90 bhp (67 kW ; 91 PS ) model with standard equipment, including: a single forward airbag for each front seat, a speed limitation device , but no ESC. The vehicle was scored on the basis of: child and adult injury, including whiplash risk from the seating, a pedestrian front impact rating, safety equipment and clear labels detailing how to disable some features. The results of
920-735: A C3 Picasso battling a monster in the style of the Ghostbusters character Stay Puft Marshmallow Man . The monster is the size of a tall building and is made up of items including bicycles, suitcases and tyres. As the monster is defeated, it disassembles and the items fit into the boot of the Picasso. The music used is a remix of the Ray Parker Ghostbusters theme tune performed by the Street Life DJs . The advertisement's strapline is; "The New Citroën C3 Picasso: The Spacebox". The facelift of
1035-567: A First World War air reconnaissance photography specialist with the French Air Force ; he was capable and efficient and finished the war with the rank of captain. He was also courageous, having been decorated with the Military Cross and the Legion of Honour. He started working for Michelin in 1918, reporting directly to Édouard Michelin , co-director and founder of the business. Boulanger joined
1150-584: A balance that does not overly compromise either range or travel time; e.g. 90 km/h for the Berlingo, 100~120 km/h for the Smart (depending on version). The Leaf is an unusual case, being instead limited to a much higher 145 km/h (90 mph). Also some supercars have speed limiters to prevent instability. Some small economy cars have limiters, because of stability and other safety concerns (short crumple zones, etc.), and to safeguard their small engines from
1265-450: A company, which was being picketed by striking workers who had been blocking access to the factories for four weeks. The demonstration was successful and six days later work at the plants resumed. Jacques Lombard, one of the company's senior managers, had gone public with his concerns, criticising the strikes. PSA gradually diluted Citroën's ambitious, highly individualistic, and distinctive approach to engineering and styling. All through
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#17330856301651380-558: A control valve, with actuating pistons in the gearbox cover to shift the gears in the transmission , and the clutch was operated automatically by the system, so there was no clutch pedal. From 1957 the ID19 model offered a simplified hydraulic system, with manual steering and conventional manual gearshift, and a significant price reduction. From 1968, with revised front end style, the DS also introduced auxiliary driving lights, that moved directionally with
1495-521: A legislated top speed. Scheduled coach services in the United Kingdom (and also bus services ) are limited to either 65 mph (105 km/h) or 100 km/h (62 mph) depending on their age (newer coaches have the lower speed version installed, in line with harmonised EU regulations), though for city buses the use of limiters is to satisfy regulatory requirements, as many city buses cannot achieve these speeds even on an open roadway. HGVs in
1610-529: A low power output or "short" gearing tend to implement a maximum speed cap via their power controllers, to prevent the rapid loss of battery charge and corresponding reduction in range caused by the much greater power demands of high speeds; for example, the Smart ED, Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi MiEV, and the Citroën Berlingo EV. The limits are typically in line with those of other deliberately limited vehicles, for
1725-472: A mechanism on the passenger side. This was covered by felt carpet and meant that both the front passenger and driver could activate the brakes. A further investigation by Watchdog later found the same problem in other Citroën models and some vehicles produced by Renault and Peugeot, some of which were registered in 2002. All three manufacturers worked with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to identify
1840-693: A model in the profitable middle range of the European market, plus the massive development costs a string of new models: the GS , GS Birotor , CX , SM , Maserati Bora , Maserati Merak , Maserati Quattroporte II , and Maserati Khamsin . Each of these models is a technological marvel in its own right. Thus, forty years after the bankruptcy related to the Traction Avant , Citroën went bankrupt again, losing its existence as an independent entity; selling Berliet and Maserati and closing Comotor. Fearing large job losses due to
1955-588: A museum of its many significant vehicles: the Conservatoire with 300 cars. In line with the severe decline in European car sales after 2009, worldwide sales of vehicles declined from 1,460,373 in 2010 to 1,435,688 in 2011, with 961,156 of these sold in Europe. In 2011, the PSA Group was close to forming a partnership with BMW, for the development of electric and hybrid vehicles, but the talks fell through, shortly after Groupe PSA, Citroën's parent company, had announced
2070-731: A new one between PSA and Toyota is now producing cars like the Citroën C1 in the Czech Republic . The China joint venture began selling cars in 1984 and building them in 1994. The range of family cars there included the C3 and Xsara and locally designed cars like the Fukang and Elysée models. By 2014 the brand had increased its Chinese sales by 30%, amid overall market growth of 11%, and ranked highest in China's 2014 JD Power satisfaction survey. Citroën
2185-457: A partnership with GM, which later also failed. Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën continues growing, and has developed eight new car designs exclusively for the China market. By 2016 Citroën (and Peugeot ) faced the same challenge as Volkswagen in China: there were too many sedans and hatchbacks , but not enough models in the strong selling SUV and minivan /MPV categories. The brand ranked highest in
2300-776: A rear spare tyre. A successor for the C3 Picasso was previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in March as the C-Aircross Concept. The Citroën C3 Aircross , as it became called, launched in late 2017, introducing with it the new Citroën SUV designation. Auto Express reported the vehicle is taking design cues from the C-Aircross Concept, and will make the transition from MPV to an SUV design. 657,807 C3 Picasso models have been produced in Trnava plant. Citro%C3%ABn Citroën ( French pronunciation: [sitʁɔɛn] )
2415-556: A round trip from August to December 1925. This vehicle is now fully restored and in the collection of the National Museum of Australia . In 1924, Citroën began a business relationship with the American engineer Edward G. Budd . From 1899, Budd had worked to develop stainless steel bodies for railroad cars, for Pullman in particular. Budd went on to manufacture steel bodies for many automakers, Dodge being his first big auto client. At
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#17330856301652530-402: A safety modification, following complaints and an investigation by BBC consumer affairs programme Watchdog into brakes that could be activated on the passenger side of the right-hand drive vehicles. The problem occurred because of the way the vehicles were modified for right-hand-drive. The investigation showed that although the brake pedal had been moved to the right, it was still connected to
2645-436: A shared product. Citroën placed a contractual obligation on the manufacturers to use green materials for the C3 Picasso range. These comprise ≥11% of the 170 kg (374.8 lb) of polymers on the vehicle, including the mudguards, parcel shelf and boot carpet. Citroën recommends the vehicle is serviced at least every two years, or at every 32,000 km (20,000 miles) for petrol models and 20,000 km (12,000 mi) for
2760-634: A study to clarify and support brand differentiation within a brand portfolio". Citroën entered the Indian market in early 2021 with the launch of the C5 Aircross SUV manufactured at the Hindustan Motors Thiruvallur plant in Tamil Nadu , India. In early 2009, Citroën announced the development of the premium brand DS , for Different Spirit or Distinctive Series (although the reference to
2875-468: A successful six-year stint working with Mors between 1908 and the outbreak of war . The decision to switch to automobile manufacturing was taken as early as 1916, which is the year when Citroën asked the engineer Louis Dufresne, previously with Panhard , to design a technically sophisticated 18HP automobile he could produce in his factory once peace returned. Long before that happened, however, he had modified his vision and decided, like Henry Ford , that
2990-740: A technological leap forward was pursued to a limited extent: in 1965 the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow used this type of suspension, while the 1963 Mercedes-Benz 600 and Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 tried to replicate its advantages with a costly, complex and expensive to maintain, air suspension , that avoided the Citroën-patented technology. By 1975, the Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 was finally produced with this proven system and Mercedes-Benz continues to offer variations on this technology today. During Citroën's 1968–1975 venture with Maserati ,
3105-504: A unitary body with no separate frame , four wheel independent suspension and front-wheel drive . Whereas for many decades, the vast majority of motor cars were similar in conception to the Ford Model T – a body bolted onto a ladder frame which held all the mechanical elements of the car, a solid rear axle that rigidly connected the rear wheels and rear wheel drive . The Model T school of automobile engineering proved popular because it
3220-422: A vehicle to travel at highway speeds as well as limit that vehicle to more commonly traveled residential neighborhoods at significantly lower speeds. European Citroën , BMW , Mercedes-Benz , Peugeot , Renault , Tesla as well as some Ford and Nissan car and van models have driver-controlled speed limiters fitted or available as an optional accessory which can be set by the driver to any desired speed;
3335-468: A very soft, interconnected suspension, but did not have the more complex self-levelling feature . This car remained in production, with only minor changes, until 1990 and was a common sight on French roads until recently; 9 million 2CV variants were produced in the period 1948–1990. 1955 saw the introduction of the DS , the first full usage of Citroën's hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension system, tested on
3450-783: Is a French automobile brand . The "Automobiles Citroën" manufacturing company was founded on 4 June 1919 by André Citroën . Citroën has been owned by Stellantis since 2021 and previously was part of the PSA Group after Peugeot acquired 89.95% share in 1976. Citroën's head office is located in the Stellantis Poissy Plant in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine since 2021 (previously in Rueil-Malmaison) and its offices studies and research in Vélizy-Villacoublay, Poissy (CEMR), Carrières-sous-Poissy and Sochaux-Montbéliard. In 1934,
3565-516: Is a global brand, except in North America, where the company has not returned since the SM was effectively banned in 1974 for not meeting U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) bumper height regulations. In 2016, Peugeot–Citroën South Africa (PCSA) announced that they were going to stop importing new Citroën models into South Africa in order to focus on increasing Peugeot's sales in
Citroën C3 Picasso - Misplaced Pages Continue
3680-617: Is hit by an airbag. The C3 Picasso was also penalised for offering very poor whiplash protection in the driver's seat – scoring nothing in two of the three tests and then losing points for the position of the unadjusted restraint. Overall, the vehicle scored four of five stars, less than most vehicles the Euro NCAP compares it with, which were released around the same time. On 20 June 2010, 611 C3 Picassos built between January and March 2010 were recalled due to incorrectly routed fuel pipes, which were believed to have been in contact with
3795-592: Is limited to 270 km/h. Most Japanese domestic market vehicles are limited to 180 km/h (112 mph). The limit for kei cars is 140 km/h (87 mph). These limits are self imposed through the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and is not a legal requirement. BMW, Mercedes and others have entered into a gentlemen's agreement to a limit of 250 km/h (155 mph), but may 'unhook' their speed limited cars in Europe, and Mercedes will provide some vehicles in
3910-537: Is moving. Some reviewers complained about the vehicle's soundproofing, which could not adequately conceal the screech of the wind. The engine at high speed received mixed reviews, while a number of reviewers reported a fault with the screenwash bottle, which can freeze in cold weather and blow a fuse when used. The reviewer for European Car of the Year 2010 called the nominated C3 Picasso fuel efficient, but said it had "dull steering". UK publication Top Gear Magazine awarded
4025-432: Is now included across the range. The vehicle is only available as a 5-seater, but with all models the three rear seats can be folded flat to increase the boot capacity from 385 litres (13.6 cu ft) or 500 litres (18 cu ft) including the hidden compartment to store the parcel shelf, up to a maximum of 1,506 litres (53.2 cu ft). The Exclusive model features a folding front passenger seat to increase
4140-401: Is one called VMS with SpeedIQ from Sturdy Corporation . Dynamic speed limiters are being widely adopted by emergency service fleets due to their ability to limit a vehicles top speed during normal operations and then releasing to a higher maximum top speed when en route to an emergency. Additionally, fleets that operate in mixed geographic areas benefit greatly from a limiter that will allow
4255-444: Is paired with 5 speed manual transmission. CO2 emissions are 115 g/km. A 73 kW (98 hp) BlueHDi 100 diesel coupled to a 5 speed manual transmission replaced the earlier offerings. The EGS6 automatic transmission is no longer available. The complete vehicle lineup includes multiple models and engine configurations, all with different specifications and tuning: The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) tested
4370-609: The Champs-Élysées in Paris which normally sold Alda cars . Citroën persuaded the owner of the Alda business, Fernand Charron , to lend him the show-room, which is still in use today. This C42 showroom is where the company organises exhibitions and shows its vehicles and concept cars. A few years later, Charron would be persuaded to become a major investor in the Citroën business. On 7 July 1919,
4485-629: The Dyane , and soon the Peugeot 104 based Citroën Visa and Citroën LNA . Peugeot was typically prudent with its own finances. Then, PSA purchased the ageing assets and substantial liabilities of Chrysler Europe for $ 1, leading to losses from 1980 to 1985. PSA resurrected the Talbot name for the Chrysler cars, but stopped producing cars with the badge in 1987 as the cars were considered unreliable and poorly-made. At
4600-481: The Faubourg Saint-Denis area of the 10th arrondissement of Paris and moved in 1912 to 31 Quai de Grenelle in the 15th arrondissement of Paris . André Citroën (1878–1935) built armaments for France during World War I ; after the war, however, he realized that unless he planned ahead he would have a modern factory without a product. Citroën was already experienced in the automotive business, thanks to
4715-817: The M2 Half Track Car and M3 Half-track versions. The U.S. eventually produced more than 41,000 vehicles in over 70 versions between 1940 and 1944. After their 1940 occupation of France, the Nazis captured many of the Citroën half-track vehicles and armored them for their own use. Citroën used the Eiffel Tower as the world's largest advertising sign, as recorded in Guinness World Records . He also sponsored expeditions in Asia ( Croisière Jaune ), North America (Croisière Blanche) and Africa (Croisière Noire), demonstrating
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4830-432: The 1960s, Citroën undertook a series of financial and development decisions, aiming to build on its strength of the 1950s with the successful 2CV, Type H, and DS models. Nevertheless, these maneuvers were insufficiently effective, and Citroën went bankrupt again in 1974. These measures were to address two key gaps facing the company: These steps include: The teams of Charles Marchetti and Citroën began working together on
4945-438: The 1980s, Citroën models became increasingly Peugeot-like. The 1982 BX used the hydropneumatic suspension system and had a typical Citroënesque appearance, whilst being powered by Peugeot-derived engines and using the floorpan later seen on the Peugeot 405 . In this respect PSA followed the worldwide motor industry trend of platform sharing which is a logical way to reduce costs whilst selling apparently different models. By
5060-465: The 2014 customer satisfaction survey by JD Power in China, above luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW , and above mass market brands, like Volkswagen, ranking only thirteenth and seventeenth respectively. In the first ten months of 2014 in China, the sales of Dongfeng Citroën cars increased by 30% in an overall market growth of 11%. Despite the near-death financial experience of PSA Peugeot Citroën in 2014, and financial rescue by Dongfeng Motors ,
5175-635: The 2019 Geneva International Motor Show , the manufacturer presented the Ami One concept car to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Then, in May 2019, it unveiled the Citroën 19_19 Concept at the Viva Technology show in Paris. In the early 1980s, Citroën was targeted by union action. On 25 May 1982, events led to a mass demonstration in the streets of Paris, when approximately 27,000 workers affirmed their wish to work at
5290-471: The 526,443 of 1971, and enough to lift the company past Peugeot into second place among French auto makers when ranked by sales volume. The older models continued to sell well: the peak production period of the DS was 1970, and 2CV was in 1974. As the 1970s progressed, circumstances became more unfavourable. In 1973, Fiat sold back to Michelin its 49% stake in the PARDEVI holding company that owned Citroën,
5405-543: The C3 Picasso "Family Car of the Year" in 2008, stating "This is what a 21st century family car should look like". Michael Harvey, the Editorial Director of the magazine admitted they had taken a chance as the model was not available in the United Kingdom until the following year. In 2009 when the car was finally launched the awards increased, first with "Best MPV" at What Diesel' s Car of the Year Awards, "Scottish MPV of
5520-620: The C3 Picasso went on sale in France in February 2009 for € 14,950. The company began to sell the car in other European markets in March 2009. A SUV-styled derivative named Citroën C3 Aircross (then Citroën Aircross) was manufactured in Brazil and sold in Latin America from 2010 to 2020. This model gave birth to a more urban-styled vehicle called C3 Picasso (manufactured in Brazil from 2011 to 2015), which
5635-495: The Citroën C3 Picasso appeared first at the 2012 Paris Motor Show on 27 September. The new eMyWay SatNav system, located on the central console, is more functional than the previous model, allowing connection to a reversing camera (available as an extra), which displays on the console screen. LED daytime running lamps and fog lamps with built-in cornering lamps, which illuminate the roadside, are also non-standard features on
5750-439: The Citroën and DS brands worked to develop new technologies with the hope to grow 15% by 2020, according to Citroën CEO Linda Jackson and DS CEO Yves Bonnefont . In the end sales of the Citroën and DS brands in Europe and China fell by 22% by 2019, and fell even further during the 2020 COVID outbreak. In January 2020, Linda Jackson was succeeded as CEO of Citroën by the deputy CEO Vincent Cobée , and she would instead "lead
5865-431: The Citroën and Fiat joint announcement indicated that the benefits foreseen for their union in 1968 had failed to materialise. This was not in line with the tyre company's long-term strategy of ending involvements in the car manufacturing business and created a very unstable ownership situation. The company suffered another financial blow with the 1973 energy crisis . The gamble on Comotor and Maserati showed that there
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#17330856301655980-632: The Citroën high-pressure hydraulic system was used on several Maserati models : for power clutch operation (Bora); power pedal adjustment (Bora); pop-up headlights (Bora, Merak); brakes (Bora, Merak, Khamsin); steering (Khamsin) and the entire Quattroporte II prototype, which was a four-door Citroën SM under the skin. Citroën was one of the early pioneers of the now-widespread trend of aerodynamic automobile design, which helps to reduce fuel consumption and to improve high-speed performance, by reducing wind resistance . The DS could happily cruise at 160 km/h (100 mph) without any discomfort for
6095-406: The Exclusive model was most expensive with a 82 kW ; 110 PS (110 bhp ) HDi Airdream engine at € 18,650. The C3 Picasso was launched in the United Kingdom on 9 April 2009, where it went on sale for £ 11,495 for the 1.4-litre VTi, the most basic model with 6.4 L/100 km; 37 mpg ‑US (44 mpg ‑imp ), while the most expensive was the 'Exclusive' with
6210-548: The HDi diesel models. When equipped with the 1.6-litre VTi engine, the C3 Picasso Exclusive and VTR+ models are capable of a top speed of 188 km/h (117 mph) in 10.6 seconds and 89 kW ; 122 PS (120 bhp ). This 1.6-litre and a smaller 1.4-litre VTi petrol engine, were developed by PSA Peugeot Citroën and BMW , along with a 1.6 L diesel engine and the two 1.6 L HDi Airdream engines. Every model came with
6325-673: The Michelin board in 1922 and became president of Citroën in January 1938 after the death in a road accident of his friend Pierre Michelin remaining in this position until his own death in 1950. In 1938, he also had become Michelin's joint managing director. During the German occupation of France in World War II Boulanger refused to meet Dr. Ferdinand Porsche or communicate with the German authorities except through intermediaries. He organized
6440-574: The Paris Motor Show in October 1924, Citroën introduced the Citroën B10 , the first all-steel body in Europe. These automobiles were initially successful in the marketplace, but soon competitors who were still using a wooden structure for their vehicles, introduced new body designs. Citroën, who did not redesign the bodies of his cars, still sold in large quantities nonetheless, the cars' low price being
6555-448: The Traction Avant, tearing down and rebuilding the factory (in five months) and the extensive marketing efforts, were investments that resulted too costly for Citroën to do all at once, causing the financial ruin of the company. In December 1934, despite the assistance of the Michelin company, Citroën filed for bankruptcy. Within the month, Michelin , already the car manufacturer's largest creditor, became its principal shareholder. However,
6670-704: The U.S. without limiters for an additional price. There are also third-party companies who will re-flash vehicle computers with new software which will remove the speed limits and improve overall performance. Many small and medium-sized commercial vehicles are now routinely fitted with speed limiters as a manufacturer option, with a mind towards reducing fuel bills, maintenance costs and insurance premiums, as well as discouraging employees from abusing company vehicles, in addition to curbing speeding fines and bad publicity. These limiters are often set considerably lower than for passenger cars, typically at 56, 62, 68 or 70 mph (90, 100, 109 or 113 km/h) in
6785-412: The UK and has won numerous awards. Critics praised the Citroën C3 Picasso in reviews for its ergonomics, Bauhaus -inspired styling, ease of use and the amount of space offered. Many reviewers criticised the interior, which they said felt "cheap". The quality and reliability of the petrol engines was also criticised by most reviewers as "sluggish" and struggling to carry the weight of the vehicle, although
6900-412: The UK due to the unfavourable exchange rate and costs, although this changed after a small number were privately imported for insurance classification purposes. The EGS6 gearbox became an option for the 1.6 L VTi engine models shortly after. Starting with June 2015 production, Citroën replaced the older petrol engines with a 1.2-litre Pure Tech 110 motor. This new 3 cylinder 82 kW (110 hp) engine
7015-430: The UK have been subject to mandatory 60 mph (96 km/h) limiters since the early 1990s, which were subsequently revised to 90 km/h (56 mph) during EU harmonization. Dynamic (ISA) The newest form of speed limiters currently being deployed feature the ability to dynamically limit a vehicles top speed based upon a vehicles real time location and the road speed limit. The most popular of these systems
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#17330856301657130-498: The UK, with options for 75 and 81 km/h (47 and 50 mph) listed in countries where these speeds are legal. Often the fitting of a limiter is combined with a small warning sticker on the rear of the vehicle, stating its maximum speed, to discourage drivers who may themselves be delayed by having to follow it from tailgating or other aggressive driving intended to intimidate the lead driver into accelerating. Similarly, most electric cars and vans which are not inherently limited by
7245-412: The Year" at the Scottish Car of the Year Awards , "Best Supermini MPV of the year" at "Auto Express New Car Awards" and finally "Design of the Year" at the Fleet World Honours . The vehicle was nominated for European Car of the Year in 2010, but received the lowest overall score of any candidate, finishing last, in seventh place. The JD Power survey in 2011 announced the C3 Picasso as the best MPV on
7360-502: The automobile industry only in niche brands, like Porsche and Ferrari . Citroën unveiled the Citroën 2CV or Deux Chevaux signifying two tax horsepower and initially only 9 hp (6.7 kW), at the Paris Salon in 1948. The car became a bestseller, achieving the designer's aim of providing rural French people with a motorized alternative to the horse . It was unusually inexpensive to purchase and, with its small two cylinder engine, inexpensive to run as well. The 2CV pioneered
7475-406: The basis of over 9 million Citroën cars, including the DS , SM , GS , CX , BX , XM , Xantia , C5 , and C6 . Self-levelling suspension is the principal user benefit: the car maintains a constant ride height above the road, regardless of passenger and cargo load and despite the very soft suspension. Hydropneumatic suspension is uniquely able to absorb road irregularities without disturbing
7590-483: The best post-war opportunities in auto-making would involve a lighter car of good quality, but made in sufficient quantities to be priced enticingly. In February 1917 Citroën contacted another engineer, Jules Salomon , who already had a considerable reputation within the French automotive sector as the creator, in 1909, of a little car called Le Zèbre . André Citroën's mandate was characteristically demanding and characteristically simple: to produce an all-new design for
7705-426: The body panels; it was named 2010 Car of the Year by Top Gear Magazine , and was awarded best supermini four times in a row by the JD Power Satisfaction Survey UK and second most efficient supermini (Citroën DS3 1.6 e-HDi 115 Airdream : True MPG 63.0mpg) by What car ? behind the C3 . In 2013 the DS3 was again the best-selling premium subcompact car, with 40% of the European market share, validating
7820-502: The business model of this product development. Speed limiter The legal definition of a moped in the United Kingdom was revised in 1977 to include a maximum design speed of 30 mph (48 km/h). This was further revised to 50 km/h (31 mph) in the 1990s, then 45 km/h (28 mph) in the late 2000s to fall in line with unified European Union licensing regulations. To comply with this, mopeds typically include some method of onboard speed restriction to prevent
7935-449: The clearing of obstacles, fording shallow (slow-moving) streams and changing tyres. Since Citroën was underfunded, its vehicles had the tendency to be underdeveloped at launch, with limited distribution and service networks outside France. Consequently, the early DS models experienced teething issues with the complex hydraulic system, eventually, the hydraulic seals and system component design were sorted, becoming reliable. Licensing such
8050-490: The country. In May 2019, it was reported that PCSA would re-introduce the Citroën brand into South Africa, this was later confirmed by PCSA, in August 2019, that new Citroën models will go on sale in the middle of October 2019. From 2003 to 2010, Citroën produced the C3 Pluriel, an unusual convertible with allusions to the 1948–1990 2CV model, both in body style (such as the bonnet) and in its all-round practicality. In 2001 it celebrated its history of innovation when it opened
8165-405: The dashboard, the first monitors the status of important components, while the second controls the sound system, and the last is a rev counter, digital speedometer and the fuel gauge. CNET described the speed gauge monitor as clear and "close to the driver's natural line of sight", but criticized the other two monitors for being unreadable and possibly dangerous if used by the driver while the car
8280-449: The development of the RE-2 [ fr ] helicopter . From a model range perspective, the 1970s started well, supported by the successful launch of the long-awaited mid-size Citroën GS , finally filling the huge gap between the 2CV and the DS – with a 1-litre, hydropneumatically suspended car. The GS went on to sell 2.5 million units; 601,918 cars were produced in 1972 alone, up from
8395-423: The diesel engines feedback was more positive as they are able to cope much better and run smoother. Reviewers' comments about the tight turning radius of the vehicle were favourable. The combination of the panoramic three-part windscreen, thin door pillars and high seats, which together increase the visibility of the road – led one reviewer to compare it with a greenhouse. The car has three monitors on
8510-435: The door mirrors. Also available are: 16-inch (41 cm) and 17-inch (43 cm) alloy wheels with a choice of two patterns, chrome mouldings for the bumpers and doors, front fog lamps and cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic lights (standard on some variants), and a speed limitation device – which are commonly used for safety reasons or to reduce fuel bills. A seatbelt reminder, which can be added to
8625-454: The express orders of the Germans, and developed the concepts that were later brought to market in three remarkable vehicles – a small car (2CV), a delivery van (Type H) and a large, swift family car (DS). These were widely regarded by contemporary journalists as avant garde , even radical, solutions to automotive design. Thus began a decades-long period of unusual brand loyalty , normally seen in
8740-565: The facelifted C3 Picasso. In addition, Citroën has added two new exterior paint colour options; "Pearlescent white" and "Ink blue" to the vehicle. The front grille now features Citroën's new branding, joining the two chrome chevron badge in the form of a crown. The Spanish market launch took place in November 2012 with four trim choices, the least expensive being the Attraction with a 95 bhp (71 kW ; 96 PS ) VTi engine at € 12,250 and
8855-452: The firm established its reputation for innovative technology with the Traction Avant . This was the world's first car to be mass-produced with front-wheel drive and four-wheel independent suspension, as well as unibody construction, omitting a separate chassis, and instead using the body of the car itself as its main load-bearing structure. In 1954, they produced the world's first hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension system; then
8970-404: The first customer took delivery of a new Citroën 10HP Type A . In the same year, it produced 30 cars daily, totaling 2,810 vehicles, with 12,244 produced in 1920. That same year, André Citroën briefly negotiated with General Motors a proposed sale of the Citroën company. The deal nearly closed, but General Motors ultimately decided that its management and capital would be too overstretched by
9085-414: The front end tests were mixed, with the bumper scoring all available points, but the vehicle was penalised for the lack of protection and the potential damage caused if a pedestrian is struck by the bonnet. Protection inside the car was scored highly for almost every seat, and for adult and child protection; it lost points for its use of forward-facing restraints, which can be fatal in an accident if an infant
9200-452: The heat shield. This fault may have caused chafing and may lead to a fuel leak. The models were built between January and March 2010 and were sold in the UK. On 24 August 2010, all 13,234 Picassos sold in the UK were recalled because the windscreen trim could deteriorate, and could eventually detach, leading to a loose-fitting windscreen. In May 2011, all 24,091 C3 Picassos in the UK were recalled for
9315-606: The historical Citroën DS is evident), to run in parallel to its mainstream cars. The slogan of the DS car marque is "Spirit of avant-garde". This new series of cars started early in 2010, with the DS3 , a small car based on the floorpan of the new C3. The DS3 is based on the concept that preceded the C3 Pluriel production model and the Citroën DS Inside concept car. The DS3 is customisable with various roof colours contrasting with
9430-461: The image of the Maserati brand in a downward brand extension to sell 40,000 of the newly designed Bi-Turbo models. The truck manufacturing company Berliet was sold to Renault . This new PSA venture was a financial success from 1976 to 1979. Citroën had two successful new designs in the market, the GS and CX . In the wake of the oil crisis, the brand also had resurgent sales for the 2CV and
9545-404: The late 1980s, many of the distinctive features of the brand had been removed or altered. Peugeot's conventional switchgear replaced Citroën's quirky but ergonomic Lunule designs, complete with self-cancelling indicators that Citroën had refused to adopt on ergonomic grounds. The cars were "more banal and conventional", but also able to break into new markets, like fleet vehicles in the UK. In
9660-446: The limited speed. Early restriction methods could be defeated by simple physical modifications (e.g. cutting out the restriction plate). Modern electronic limiters at the very least require replacing the friction rollers in a scooter's CVT , or even changing wheel size and/or reprogramming the engine management system, all in an effort to fool the sensors into detecting a lower than actual road speed. Public service vehicles often have
9775-401: The limiter can be overridden if required by pressing hard on the accelerator. The limiter may be considered as setting the maximum speed (with throttle kickdown to override it) easing the throttle to reduce speed, whereas cruise control sets the minimum speed (with the brake pedal to override it) pressing on the throttle to increase speed. The limiter may shift down through automatic gears to hold
9890-496: The machine exceeding the prescribed speed (on a flat road, in still air, with a rider of standard height and weight). Older models such as the Honda C50 used a simple centrifugal governor as part of the transmission, which progressively and severely advanced the ignition as speed rose past a set point, causing engine power to fall off rapidly at higher rpm and road speed, but maintaining the low- and moderate-speed hill climbing ability of
10005-533: The main selling point, which factor however caused Citroën to experience heavy losses. In 1927, the bank Lazard helped Citroën by bringing new much-needed funds, as well as by renegotiating its debt—for example, by buying out the Société de Vente des Automobiles Citroën (SOVAC). It went even further by entering in its capital and being represented on the board; the three directors sent by Lazard were Raymond Philippe, Andre Meyer and Paul Frantzen. André Citroën perceived
10120-451: The market, with a satisfaction rating of 83.1% and five stars overall, but with the lowest rating given to the exterior quality at three stars. Many reviewers had complained of poor fitting and the finish used on the exterior. "DOG" was created by H Suresnes advertising agency in France and released in June 2010. The advertisement shows a dog made up of various items, including a purse, swimming goggles, blow-dryer and shoes, wandering around
10235-419: The maximum speed. The Bugatti Chiron also has a programmed speed limiter, although uniquely, it can be (at least partially) lifted by the owner via a key . Once the key is inserted, the car conducts a brief diagnostic before allowing the owner to drive the car up to speeds of 420 km/h, (approx. 261 mph) provided it is deemed by the car's computer that the conditions allow. This is considerably faster than
10350-657: The meantime Citroën expanded into many new global markets. Beyond existing manufacturing plants in Argentina , Chile , Vietnam , and Yugoslavia , it added Iran , Greece , Romania , and China . In the late 1970s, the firm developed a small car for production in Romania known as the Oltcit , which it sold in Western Europe as the Citroën Axel . That joint venture has now ended, but
10465-518: The most expensive being the Exclusive with a 115 bhp (86 kW ; 117 PS ) HDi engine at € 18,475. The UK launch took place in December 2012. In September 2010, Citroën do Brasil launched the Citroën C3 Aircross in Brazil and Argentina. The car is a C3 Picasso-based mini SUV with styling differences including: raised suspension, chrome roof bars and mirror covers, side skirts, and
10580-471: The need to differentiate his product, to avoid the low price competition surrounding his conventional rear drive models in the late 1920s and early 1930s. In 1933 he introduced the Rosalie, the first commercially available passenger car with a diesel engine , developed with Harry Ricardo . The Traction Avant is a car that pioneered the mass production of three revolutionary features that are still in use today:
10695-429: The occupants and is often compared to riding on a magic carpet for this reason. These vehicles shared the distinguishing feature of rising to operating ride height when the engine was turned on, like a "mechanical camel" (per Car & Driver magazine). A lever ( later replaced by an electronic switch ) beside the driver's seat allowed the driver to adjust the height of the car; this height adjustability allows for
10810-461: The occupants. The firm began using a wind tunnel in the 1950s, helping them to create highly streamlined cars, like the DS, that were years ahead of their competitors, and so good were the aerodynamics of the CX model, that it took its name – c x {\displaystyle \mathbf {c} _{\mathrm {x} }\,} – from the mathematical term used to measure the drag coefficient. In
10925-607: The passenger and rear seats, is fitted to the driver's seat as standard. The chassis platform used for the C3 Picasso is a modified version of that in the Citroën C3 and the Peugeot 207 , giving it a comparable wheelbase. The reuse of automobile platforms is commonplace, especially for Citroën because the Trnava plant builds the Peugeot 207 and the C3 Picasso. The parent company PSA Peugeot Citroën pools resources and manufacturing for some vehicles, and sometimes rebadges vehicles, combining design teams between two or more brands to create
11040-507: The patent for very little money, leading to the invention that is credited to Citroën: double helical gears. In 1901, at the age of 23, André Citroën partnered with André Boas and Jacques Hinstin, whom he had known since their days at Lycée Condorcet . Together, they invested a significant portion of Citroën's inheritance to found the company "Citroën, Hinstin et Cie," a manufacturing business specializing in gears, particularly V-shaped helical gears. The company started with about ten workers in
11155-451: The poor cash flow situation and the unstable ownership structure, the French government arranged talks between Citroën and Michelin culminating in the merger of Automobiles Citroën and Automobiles Peugeot into a single company. Thus, one year after the break with Fiat, on 24 June 1974 Citroën announced the new partnership, this time with Peugeot. to whom Michelin agreed to transfer control of the business. In December 1974 Peugeot S.A. acquired
11270-492: The potential for motor vehicles equipped with the Kégresse track system to cross inhospitable regions. These expeditions conveyed scientists and journalists . Demonstrating extraordinary toughness, a 1923 Citroën that had already travelled 48,000 km (30,000 mi) was the first car to be driven around Australia. The car, a 1923 Citroën 5CV Type C Torpedo, was driven by Neville Westwood from Perth , Western Australia , on
11385-518: The prolonged overrevving required to produce the power to achieve higher speeds. The first generation Smart was limited to 135 km/h (84 mph) (later generations were unlimited), and the Mitsubishi i to 130 km/h (81 mph). Some heavy goods vehicle operators (typically big-name retailers, rather than haulage contractors) further reduce their HGV limiters from 90 km/h to a lower speed, typically 85 or 80 km/h (53 or 50 mph), in
11500-476: The rear suspension of the Traction in 1954. The DS was also the first production car with modern disc brakes . A single high-pressure hydraulic system was used to actuate the power steering , the suspension and brakes; the brakes were fully powered, not power assisted, as pedal force was not a component of braking power. The gearshift, (semi- automatic transmission ) was also powered by the hydraulic system through
11615-616: The release of a higher specification Airdream engine, the European emission standards (Euro 5) carbon dioxide emissions limits were lowered and the addition of low-rolling resistance tyres were added to the entire range. The tyres are specially designed to minimize wasted energy when the tyre rolls and have been estimated by the California Energy Commission to save 1.5–4.5% of fuel in a typical car. At first, Citroën decided not to offer their new automatic EGS6 gearbox version in
11730-430: The revolutionary DS , the first mass-produced car with modern disc brakes , in 1955; and in 1967 they introduced in several of their models swiveling headlights that allowed for greater visibility on winding roads. These cars have received various national and international awards, including three European Car of the Year awards. Born to a Dutch father and a Polish mother, both of Jewish heritage, André Citroën
11845-424: The severity of the problem but no vehicles were found to be affected enough to issue recalls. 8,815 Picassos built between January and May 2011 for the UK market were recalled on 2 September 2011 when it was discovered that the battery cable was too short and could cause gearbox failures and in turn stall the engine. The faulty earth return cable was replaced. Despite the recalls, the vehicle continued to sell well in
11960-467: The steering, improving visibility at night. Production from 1956 to 1975 totalled almost 1.5 million cars. The streamlined car was remarkable for its era and had a remarkable sounding name – in French, DS is pronounced [de.ɛs] , which sounds the same as déesse , which means Goddess . It placed third in the 1999 Car of the Century competition. This high-pressure hydraulic system would form
12075-401: The storage space further. All models in the range have a "Mistral Maxi Taylor" woven cloth interior; according to Citroën, top European engineers and designers including Donato Coco and Jean-Pierre Ploué were involved in designing the vehicle. Optional accessories are available for the range, including an aluminium roof rack capable of carrying 60 kg (132 lb) and kerbside lights in
12190-482: The streets to the English-language song "Somebody Come And Play" by Joseph G Raposo . In the last scene the dog is invited into the boot of a C3 Picasso by a family leaving for a holiday; the dog fits into the car with enough space to seat everyone comfortably. Another advertisement for the vehicle range was "Ghostbusters Reloaded", which was produced by Euro RSCG Paris . It shows three futuristic Ghostbusters in
12305-537: The takeover, thus, Citroën remained independent until 1935. Between 1921 and 1937, Citroën produced half-track vehicles for off-road and military uses, using the Kégresse track system. In the 1920s, the U.S. Army purchased several Citroën-Kégresse vehicles for evaluation followed by a licence to produce them. This resulted in the United States Army Ordnance Department building a prototype in 1939. In December 1942, it went into production with
12420-468: The technologically advanced Traction Avant had met with market acceptance, and the basic philosophy of cutting-edge technology used as a differentiator, continued until the late 1990s. Pierre Michelin became the chairman of Citroën early in 1935. Pierre-Jules Boulanger , his deputy, became the vice-president and chief of the engineering and design departments. In 1935, the founder André Citroën died from stomach cancer. Pierre-Jules Boulanger had been
12535-434: The top speed of 380 km/h (236 mph) that the car is usually restricted to. Top Speed Mode , as Bugatti dubs it, reduces the overall ride height and lowers the rear spoiler to help in the reduction of drag . In European markets, General Motors Europe sometimes allow certain high-powered Opel or Vauxhall cars to exceed the 250 km/h (155 mph) mark, whereas their Cadillacs do not. The Chrysler 300C SRT8
12650-412: The unrestricted version. Other systems achieved a similar result with simple restrictor flaps in the air intake, much like those used to restrict the power output of full-size motorcycles. Modern mopeds use electronic systems with speed sensors that can cut the ignition spark (and, where fitted, interrupt fuel injection) once measured speed reaches or exceeds the set point, maintaining full power right up to
12765-489: Was a serious flaw with the plan particularly for companies producing engines with high fuel consumption. In 1974, the carmaker withdrew from North America due to U.S. design regulations that outlawed core features of Citroën cars (see Citroën SM ). Huge losses at Citroën were caused by the failure of the Comotor rotary engine venture added to the strategic management error of going the 15 years from 1955 to 1970 without
12880-604: Was assembled in December 2007 at the PSA Trnava Plant in Slovakia, which Citroën announced from France in July 2008 would be the sole manufacturer of the model. Citroën presented the finished product to the Slovak press and public on 25 September before it was unveiled to the world in October at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The Trnava Plant by then was expected to be building 28 cars per hour as
12995-436: Was born in Paris on February 5, 1878. At the age of 7 his father committed suicide as a result of a failed business venture. Citroën was a graduate of the École Polytechnique in 1900. In that year he visited Poland, the homeland of his mother, who had recently passed away. During that holiday, he saw a carpenter working on a set of gears with a fish bone structure. These gears were less noisy, and more efficient. Citroën bought
13110-702: Was closer to the Brazilian C3 Aircross than to the global C3 Picasso. Both C3 Aircross and the Brazilian C3 Picasso were based on the Brazilian first generation Citroën C3 , when the global C3 Picasso was based on the global Peugeot 207 SW . When launched in Spain in 2009, only three trims were available: LX, SX, or Exclusive. The LX was the most basic and least expensive model, with a 71 kW ; 96 PS (95 bhp ) VTi engine, priced at € 12,590, while
13225-603: Was considered cheap to build, although it did pose dynamic defects as automobiles were becoming more capable, and resulted in heavier cars, which is why today cars are more like the Traction Avant than the Model T under the skin. In 1934 Citroën commissioned the American Budd Company to create a prototype, which evolved into the 7 fiscal horsepower ( CV ), 32 hp (24 kW) Traction Avant. Achieving quick development of
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