News: Citroen's DS range to double

We've already seen the DS3, DS4 and DS5 but now Citroen is about to embark on a doubling of the semi-premium DS range, and we'll see the first fruits at the Shanghai Motor Show in April.

That's when Citroen will debut concepts of three new DS models; a compact four-door saloon in the mould of the new Mercedes CLA, an SUV crossover to take on the likes of the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 and a large luxury car, a true successor to the original DS, drawing heavily on the well-received Numbero 9 concept (above).

The fact that the cars are being shown in Shanghai is no coincidence; the DS brand is seen as crucial to Citroen's success in the Chinese market, where the brand carries none of the baggage that it does in Europe.

DS has been a massive success for Citroen so far, with 300,000 models sold in just over two years, 200,000 of them the dinky little DS3 hatchback. Sales in Ireland have been pretty unspectacular so far though. In the UK, DS models account for 30% of Citroen's overall sales. Here, it's just 4% and the total sales figures barely break the 100 car barrier.  Citroen Ireland is planning a nationwide series of events for the DS range later this year though, with the newly-launched DS3 Cabrio as the centrepiece, not so much to try and flog DS models en masse as to re-introduce Irish car buyers to the mainstream Citroen range.

News: Is this Honda's next Jazz?

This is the Honda Gear, a concept small car introduced, with no small amount of surprise, at the Montreal motor show this week.

With all eyes across the lake on Detroit (where Honda was showing off its NSX and Urban SUV concepts) the Gear kinda snuck in under the radar a little.

Now, so far, Honda has not made any official comment about the concept's production chances, nor whether or not it's even meant to be viewed as styling signpost for the next Jazz, but what we do know is that it's about Fiesta-sized, and designed to be both simple and functional and yet customisable with lots of options.

Explaining the Gear's purpose in Montreal, Dave Marek, Design Director at Honda R&D Americas said “Subcompact cars are usually either utilitarian, but uninspiring or they’re fun, zippy cars that are impractical and too expensive for the Gen-Y buyer. GEAR Concept tears down those walls – it’s practical but fun, customizable, connected and affordable. Everything that young, discerning urban buyers would want in a car.”

Well, what do you think? A welcome return to funky design at Honda? A hint of original Civic in that recessed grille and headlights? Would you chop your Jazz in for one? 

 

News: Detroit Show roundup... in 5 words or fewer...

Look, we're all leading such busy lives now and, frankly, the Detroit Motor Show (or North American Interational Auto Show, to give it its full and correct name) is massive. If we were to give you the full low-down on every car there, we'd be here a month. We've all got better things to do. So, to keep things brief, here's our run down of the Detroit highlights. In five words or fewer...

Jeep Grand Cherokee facelift:

Our favourite Jeep, now better.

Kia Cadenza.

Kia makes a Camry. Nice.

Lexus IS.

No diesel, just hybrid. Shame?

Honda NSX concept.

Closer to reality now. Awesome.

BMW M6 Gran Coupe.

So much want, it hurts.

Chrysler 300C Motown edition.

Chrome wheels kick-ass, right?

Cadillac ELR.

Electric Caddy, basically a Volt.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7

Essentially, show-stopping. 'Nuff said.

Ford Atlas concept.

Utterly massive. Not coming here.

Honda Urban SUV concept.

Jazz-based Yeti rival. Slick.

Hyundai HCD-14 Concept.

Korean limo in desirability shock.

Mercedes-Benz CLA.

Still want that C-Class, pal?

Nissan Resonance Concept.

Basically, it's the next Murano.

Ford Focus ST Shelby.

No extra power, bit vulgar.

Tesla Model X

Electric, gullwing doors, simply stunning.

Toyota Corolla Furia concept.

New Corolla. Had you guessed?

Volkswagen CrossBlue SUV concept.

Underneath, it's a Golf. Honestly.

Don't forget to check back with us in a few week's time when we'll be summing up the Geneva Motor Show entirely in mime...

News: Suzuki's S-Cross Concept kicks off new model rush

The S-Cross concept (above) as shown at the Paris Motor Show will kick off a bit of a busy period for Suzuki, and at least one new model due every year over the next five years. OK, so maybe that's nothing compared to Audi's one-a-month launch schedule, but for conservative Suzuki, that's a positive rush.

The S-Cross is a forerunner of next summer's all new Suzuki crossover, which will kinda replace the existing SX4 hatchback (although the S-Cross is bigger, leaving room for a possible smaller, Swift-based crossover beneath...).

Suzuki plans to launch models which exceed the environmental performance ceiling in their segments. The production model of the S-Cross concept will be amongst the lowest CO2 emitting cars in the crossover C-segment.

Since launching the Jimny (originally the LJ series) in 1970, Suzuki has expanded its line-up of off-road vehicles to include models such as the Vitara and Grand Vitara; earning the company a reputation as the pioneer of compact sport utility vehicles. Meanwhile, Suzuki has gained incomparable know-how in the development of compact passenger cars. Since the latter half of the 1980s, the company has been refining its performance technologies in the field of motor sport. In 2006, Suzuki united its advanced technologies in the form of the SX4 sport crossover – a car that was well ahead of the herd in the crossover category in Europe and has driven its growth.

The S-Cross concept, in its specially created Crystal Green Metallic body colour, looks pretty groovy and also pretty close to being production-ready, although it's likely that the cool wraparound, pillarless windscreen won't make it through to showrooms. Sales will start in Ireland next summer.

In the meantime, Suzuki will be launching an updated version of the Splash hatchback and a new GLX+ Swift that will include Bluetooth, rear spoiler, cruise control and privacy glass.