BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën Form Joint Venture to Produce Hybrid Components

Already partners in developing 4-cylinder petrol engines, BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën have decided to set up 50-50 equity joint venture named the BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification, which will primarily focus on developing hybrid components. Sharing the cost of research and development as well as production and component purchasing, the two companies expect to achieve significant economies of scale.

The hybrid components in question include battery packs, E-machines, generators, power electronics and chargers, alongside the necessary software to operate them that will also be jointly developed. The new technologies will be used by the two automakers for their upcoming electric vehicles and could be sold to other companies as well.

The joint venture is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2011 and it’s estimated that the first series production hybrid components will arrive in 2014.

“This cooperative venture will enable us to achieve significant economies of scale in the field of electrification. It also represents an important step on the road to sustainable mobility”, said Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

“With this joint venture, we are sure to develop and expand our expertise and to build a European leader in the field of automotive hybrid innovation”, noted Philippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën.

New Citron Berlingo XTR+ LCV gets Limited Slip Dif and Under-Body Protection

A new variant of Citroen's Berlingo light van with increased off-road capabilities has been launched in the UK. Rather than developing a costly all-wheel drive system, Citroen retained the front-wheel drive layout of 1.6HDi 90hp LX van upon which the Berlingo XTR+ is based, adding a series of features that promise to offer a reasonable degree of off-road capability for operators in the utilities, forestry, construction and agricultural sectors.

These features include the addition of a multi-plate, limited-slip differential that can transfer up to 75 percent of the engine's torque between the two driving wheels and a heavy duty suspension system that raises ground clearance by 30mm over the standard Berlingo van.

The XTR+ also gains heavy duty metal sump protection and two longitudinal metal skid plates protecting other under-body components, such as brake and fuel line as well as 15-inch steel wheels with Michelin Synchrone 4x4 195/65 R15 tires.

The Berlingo XTR+ is available now for sale in the UK with prices starting from £14,160 + VAT+ delivery.

Euro NCAP's Best and Worst Performers of 2010

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), which is similar to the American IIHS testing regimen, has released a list with the safest car in each vehicle category and the two worst performers overall of 2010. The cars that attained the coveted five star rating and achieved the highest overall score in their respective segment are:

------ Executive category: BMW 5 Series
------ Small Family category: Alfa Romeo Giulietta
------ Supermini category: Honda CR-Z
------ Small off-road 4×4 category: Kia Sportage
------ Small MPV category: Toyota Verso

On the other side of the fence are two models that achieved the poorest results of 2010. These are the Citroen Nemo with three stars and China's Landwind CV9 that received only two stars.

The European body noted that the cars in the top list "accomplished a high combined score based on the scores in each of the individual four areas of Euro NCAP’s assessment, while notably exceeding the thresholds for a 5 star overall rating". Along with the five top achievers, Euro NCAP said that the Suzuki Swift, Kia Venga, BMW X1, VW Sharan/Seat Alhambra, Citroen C4 all exceeded the 80% mark in overall score putting them on the runner-up list for the safest cars of 2010.

Commenting on the results, Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General said: “Every year, car manufacturers constantly work to innovate and make their cars better and safer for the driver, whatever the size of the vehicle. The presence in these categories of high performing 5 star cars demonstrates car manufacturers’ commitment to safety for all sizes of vehicles.”

In early 2009, Euro NCAP implemented tougher crash testing procedures that make it more difficult for vehicles to receive a five-star rating. Last year, the European body crash tested a total of twenty-nine vehicles from numerous categories, of which 65 per cent reached the five star rating, compared to 90% in 2009.

2010 Citroen C3 Hatchback Photographed on the Road

It's one thing to see a new car in snazzy press shots and another live, on the streets. Carscoop reader 'Marius' spotted the all-new second-generation Citroen C3, which was officially revealed last week, this past Sunday parked on the road somewhere in the French town of Deauville.

Featuring a more mature design than the outgoing model, Citroen's new five-door supermini will hit showrooms this November available with numerous gasoline and diesel engines including a 90HP HDi oil burner which makes the C3 the first full production Citroen to emit less than 100g/km CO2. For more detailed information on the 2010 C3, click here.

Merci pour les photos Marius!

VIDEO: Citroen GT Supercar Live from the Streets of London

What was originally designed by Takumi Yamamoto as a fantasy supercar for the digital world of the Gran Turismo racing game has not only turned into a real life concept car, but odds are that it will make it into a limited series production. Recently, Citroen gave Londoners the chance to see the GT supercar on the road ahead of its scheduled run at next weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed. We're still not sure what engine could power the production version though word has is that it may be a Ford or a GM derived V8. Follow the jump to watch the video.

New Citroen C3 Hatchback: Fiesta Rival Officially Revealed, Sales Start in November

The first official photographs and details of the all-new C3 were published today ahead of the French supermini's public debut at the Frankfurt motorshow in September. Aimed squarely against the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio, Citroen's C3 will go on sale in most parts of Europe in early November with the UK following in the beginning of next year.

Like its predecessor, the new C3 will be offered exclusively as a five door hatch with Citroen planning to introduce a more premium three-door version of the car called DS3 in 2010 that will compete against the MINI.

On the outside, the new C3's styling is an evolution of the previous design, albeit more dynamic with a tauter profile and many new details including the front fascia that is inspired by the DS3 concept.

A unique feature of the 2010MY C3 is the oversized glass windscreen that extends well past the A-pillars offering plenty of light inside the cabin. According to Citroen, the progressively tinted windshield smoothes the transition from the strong sun protection above the front passengers to the standard clear glass for looking forwards.

If you've seen the interior shots of the DS3 pre-production concept, then you will be familiar with the C3's dashboard which is identical sans the trendy trim decor and leather surfacing. Overall, the C3's cabin looks funkier and much more upscale than the current model

At just 3.94m long and 1.71m wide, the new C3 is slightly larger than its predecessor and about the same size as the latest Ford Fiesta (3.95m and 1.72m), offering 300 litters of boot space along with numerous storage areas throughout the cabin.

From launch, the new supermini will be offered with a 90HP HDi diesel engine emitting just 99g/km C02 making it the first full production Citroen to emit less than 100g/km.

Citroen did not disclose details on the rest of the range but the French automaker said that it plans to introduce a new generation of engines incorporating a second-generation Stop & Start system in 2011 that will include diesel versions emitting as little as 90g/km C02 and three-cylinder petrol engines with less than 100g/km C02.