Citroën Launches C-Elysée and C4 L for Emerging Markets

CitroënCitroënFrance, 1919 > present94 models
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has announced two new models for emerging markets - the C-Elysée and C4 L. The Elysée will launch in Central Europe first and then move to other emerging markets. The C4 L will be aimed at China and Russia. 

The C-Elysée

Like many cars aimed at emerging markets, the C-Elyséee offers a large rear seat and economical engines. However, Citroën also outfitted the C-Elysée with high tech features like an MP3 radio and Bluetooth. The rear offers 506 liter of room, which is as much as a larger sedan. It also has a 2.65m wheelbase, which is the longest in its category and gives the car the largest trunk in its class. In most regions the C-Elysée will have Citroën's VTi 72 engine. The sedan will go on sale first in Turkey, Spain, Central Europe and Algeria at the end of 2012. 

Citroën says that the C-Elyséee was designed from a clean sheet to be a stylish three-box sedan. The engine produces 72hp and 110Nm of torque and uses 5.5l/100km of petrol. It will be available with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic. The other available engines are the VTi 115 and the HDi 92. Both have the same transmission options.

The C4 L

The other new model is the C4 L that will be aimed more at Russia and China. Citroën says that the L stands for 'lounge,' but it is really a long-wheelbase version of the C4Citroën C4 Gen.2France, 2010 > present87 versions
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. It is the first car to come out of Citroën's Shanghai design center. The look of the car is meant to inspire the C5Citroën C5 Gen.2France, 2007 > present117 versions
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and C6Citroën C6France, 2005 > present10 versions
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, especially because of its convex rear window. 

The long wheelbase, wrap-around rear seats and padded headrests are meant to provide and especially comfortable place for rear passengers. There is 10cm more rear legroom than the regular C4. The driver gets touch-screen GPS, reverse camera and heated windshield. It will be available with the THP 155/170 and VTi 135 engines. It uses a six-speed automatic gearbox. It will be built in China and Russia and go on sale in 2012 in China and in 2013 in Russia.  

One thing that Citroën is pushing about both of these cars is their reliability. Both of them have been tested for millions of kilometers before they go on sale, partially because they are built on existing platforms.