Autoblog

We're pretty sure this is NOT where baby Citroëns come from

Noah Joseph — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Videos, Citroën, Humor

Automotive assembly plants can appear as different as the cars they produce, but the fundamentals are basically the same. Parts go in, they're put together, and cars roll out. And that, boys and girls, are where cars come from.

This amusing video clip, however, suggests that Citroën went about making its prolific and iconic 2CV in a rather different way. Beyond that we'll say no more, preferring to let the sex-ed video below speak for itself. It's good for a laugh or two. (We'd say it's farily safe for work, unless you happen to work for Citroën.)

Continue reading We're pretty sure this is NOT where baby Citroëns come from

We're pretty sure this is NOT where baby Citroëns come from originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Jun 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man stranded in desert builds motorcycle out of his broken car

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Citroën, Motorcycle, Specialty, Design/Style

According to Merriam-Webster, ingenuity can be defined as "skill or cleverness in devising or combining" or "cleverness or aptness of design or contrivance." We'd say that's an apt description of a Frenchman named Emile who reportedly found himself stranded in the deserts of Northwest Africa after breaking a frame rail and a suspension swingarm underneath his Citroën 2CV.

What to do? Why, disassemble the broken hulk and build yourself a motorcycle from its pile of parts, of course! As the story goes, Emile was able to use the inventive machine to escape the desert, though not before convincing the local authorities that he wasn't an insurgent and paying a fine for importing a non-conforming vehicle...

Since Emile was the only soul in the area, nobody has been able to confirm the veracity of the events that led to the little French runabout's conversion into a makeshift motorcycle. That said, judging by the images you can see here (apparently from the March 2003 issue of 2CV Magazine), this Citroën-bred two-wheeler does indeed exist, and it was definitely fashioned from parts scavenged from an old 2CV.

Emile, wherever you are, we take our hats off to your real-life MacGyver skills, sir.

Man stranded in desert builds motorcycle out of his broken car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Citroën working on neo Deux Cheveaux?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Budget, Hatchback, Citroën

Citroën's next look into the future appears to involve a look into its past: according to Car Magazine, the French firm is planning a 3CV that will make a modern case for the beloved 2CV. It isn't expected until 2013, so only a few brains inside Citroën have any idea what it will look like, but the prognostications suggest "the spirit of the quirky Ami 6," lots of space and a comfortable ride.

Speaking of that ride, the company's CEO said "it's so relaxed that we may even cap top speed." That would be something special for a car to be built on the same PF1 platform that supports the Peugeot 207 and Citroëns DS3 and C3, yet will be smaller than the C3.

Citroën working on neo Deux Cheveaux? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Record number of Citroën 2CVs to gather in France

Noah Joseph — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Europe, Citroën

Cars come and cars go, but the Citroën 2CV is a car that just won't quit. Originally designed in the 1930s, the French automaker had to destroy most of the prototypes before the German troops marched in to avoid them falling into Nazi hands.

Citroën kept three hidden away, a fourth hidden by Michelin, finally unveiling the revolutionary finished product after the war ended at the 1948 Paris Motor Show. From then until 1990 when it finally went out of production, Citroën sold over 5 million of them. And now, a record number of the cars are set to gather for what's expected to be the largest 2CV gathering in history.

Organizers are expecting over 6,000 owners to bring their 2CVs to Salbris, France, for the 19th annual International "Amis de la 2CV," where the faithful will be able to compare their cars, swap parts, participate in a disassemble-reassemble competition and gaze at one of the original prototypes (pictured above) as well as the contemporary Revolte concept.

Maybe not your idea of how to spend the weekend, but for those who still love one of the most basic cars history's ever known, it promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Read all about it in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Record number of Citroën 2CVs to gather in France

Record number of Citroën 2CVs to gather in France originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Citroen Revolte concept to enter production as DS2

Noah Joseph — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Citroën

Sometimes we're happy when a concept car gets approved for production. This time around... not so much. According to reports from across the pond, the Citroen Revolte concept has been approved for production and will carry the DS2 badge when it arrives.

The concept car was unveiled a couple of months ago at the Frankfurt show, and suffice it to say, it wasn't exactly the best looking debut at the expo. Supposedly reviving the iconic 2CV, the Revolte concept certainly lived up to its name. The production version, meanwhile, is tipped to take on the DS2 nameplate as part of the French automaker's new premium line-up that started with the DS3 and is slated to grow with the inclusion of the DS4 (based on the upcoming new C4) and DS5 (based on - you guessed it - the new C5). Power for the DS2 is expected to come in the form of a range of three-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines when it hits the streets sometime around 2011.

The best we can say is this: At least it will remain far away from the States, as Citroen stays out of the North American market.

Gallery: Citroen Revolte concept

[Source: Auto Express]

REPORT: Citroen Revolte concept to enter production as DS2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Franco-Italian Relations: Ferrari F355 - Citroen 2CV hybrid [w/VIDEO]

Chris Paukert — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Budget, Performance, Etc., Europe, Work, Supercars, Ferrari, Citroën

Team Nimik Citroen 2CV/Ferrari F355 hybrid one-off - Click above for high-res image gallery

This is surely one of the most original/bizarre/impressive/controversial hybrids we've seen in quite some time. In fact, it's likely to be so controversial as to single-handedly effect Franco-Italian relations. After all, how does one explain away the melding of one of Italy's favorite sons (F355) and a variant of France's iconic people's car, the 2CV fourgonnette?

In any case, while we're not sure as to the condition of the Fezza before it received its Tin Snail conversion, we're just going to hope that it was a write-off and enjoy the metalwork madness that has resulted. Far from a cut-n-shut operation, this conversion looks to have taken some serious craftsmanship and man hours, as aside from the basics (four wheels, an engine, headlamps, etc.), there isnt exactly a whole lot of commonality between the two vehicles.

Admittedly, our Italian is on the rusty side, but from what we can gather from the various websites linked below, this is also likely the costliest 2CV ever built, having apparently tallied 180,000 Euros to build (in excess of $250,000 USD). Why a Citroen? Our Italian is a bit shaky, but judging by the car's website, it appears to be some sort of amusement/promotional tool for the Nimik Rally Team, which runs (what else?) Citroen racers.

High-res gallery below, video of the build (complete with a howling Janis Joplin soundtrack) available after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Daniel!

Gallery: Nimik Citroen 2CV - Ferrari F355 hybrid

[Sources: Nimik.it; TheAutoUnion.net | Images: SwissCarSightings]

Continue reading Franco-Italian Relations: Ferrari F355 - Citroen 2CV hybrid [w/VIDEO]

Franco-Italian Relations: Ferrari F355 - Citroen 2CV hybrid [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Citroen does the Charleston in Paris with special C3 Pluriel

Noah Joseph — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Citroën, Specialty

Click above for high-res gallery of the Citroen C3 Pluriel Charleston

Last month we noted that Citroen was gearing up to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its most iconic model, the 2CV. For those not familiar with the 2CV, it is to France what the Beetle was to Germany or the Cinquecento was to Italy. Although some suggested that Citroen could be preparing to resurrect the model with a retro throwback of its own, it now appears the French automaker has had its hands full preparing the Hypnos concept, the C6 Office and the new C3 Picasso. So to mark the 2CV's birthday, Citroen is launching a special edition of its quirky little convertible called the C3 Pluriel Charleston.

The special edition takes the same name and paint scheme as the original 2CV 6 Charleston, but that only begs the question as to why a French automaker has named a French car for the French market after a city in South Carolina that the French can't even pronounce. The Pluriel, now on the market since 2003, features an awkward multi-function roof that can be deployed in different configurations... a setup we hope Fiat manages to improve on with the upcoming 500 Cabrio Coach. The Charleston edition, meanwhile, upgrades with a leather interior, chrome trim, 15-inch alloys (don't get too excited now) and a special interior.

There are many European cars we wish we could get in the United States. We'll let the French keep this one.

Gallery: Citroen C3 Pluriel Charleston

[Source: Citroen]

Citroen does the Charleston in Paris with special C3 Pluriel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Deux Chevaux redux: Citroen 2CV ready for return?

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 02 May 2007 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe

The Duck is back. Well, not officially, at least not yet. But Auto Express has images of an advanced concept design for a new 2CV that seems pretty polished. While the overall look is instantly recognizable as an homage to the original, this is a thoroughly modern looking machine. Similar in some ways to the Citroen Evoque concept of 2005, this new concept appears much more production feasible. With its open umbrella shape, it has a lot of character and would be a wonderful new entry in the retro-everyman's car category. There's a New Beetle (heck, there's even a new New Beetle), a new Mini Cooper (ditto), and a new Fiat 500 out there, so a new 2CV seems natural. And just like its contemporaries, rather than aiming at being the cheapest wheels on the road, the successor seems to be headed a bit upmarket.

[Source: Auto Express]

Continue reading Deux Chevaux redux: Citroen 2CV ready for return?

Deux Chevaux redux: Citroen 2CV ready for return? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2007 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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