CITROËN TECHNOLOGY

A traction control system designed to prevent skidding on low-grip or snow-covered surfaces.

This unique Intelligent Traction Control System will maintain the traction of the car in extreme conditions allowing it to continue to progress with an astonishing capacity whilst driving in tricky conditions. Intelligent Traction Control System is a driver's dream and is available on CITROËN C5, C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso.

This system helps the vehicle move off easily in difficult conditions. Analysing all of the parameters including gradient, road surface conditions (water/snow/ice), the computer will regulate the drive through each wheel independently and alternately in order to control the start of any journey.

While driving in difficult conditions, it will:
- analyse the situation; acceleration, wheels angle, slope, grip and condition of the road.
- calculate the most realistic way, according to the actions of the driver, to transfer the traction and apply the appropriate wheel spinning and braking.
- control and evaluate the effects of the computer’s instructions to the car and apply corrections aiming to bring together what the driver wants to do with the reality of the road conditions.

By means of a virtual image directly in the driver’s line of vision, the sophisticated Head-Up display can project key information such as speed, fuel and navigation data onto the windscreen.

The resulting ease in data gathering can save the driver valuable seconds and also means that eyes can stay safely on the road ahead.
  
A digital image is projected onto the windscreen from the dashboard via an optic system made up of a lens and mirrors. It is height adjustable on the screen and results in a virtual image which appears to position itself not on the windscreen, but beyond at the front of the vehicle. The driver therefore keeps looking into the distance, instead of having to adjust his vision to the dashboard.

The active bonnet system available on the C6 represents a significant advancement in pedestrian safety.

In the event of impact, the system instantly raises the Citroën C6 bonnet by 65mm, creating a space between it and the engine below. The bonnet is then able to absorb more energy from an impact and minimise any injury to the pedestrian. Thanks to the active bonnet system, the Citroën C6 was the first car to earn the maximum Euro N CAP four star rating for pedestrian protection.

A system to prevent drowsiness or inattention at the wheel.

The LDWS (Lane Departure Warning System) uses information collected by infrared sensors directed towards the road surface, which tell it when the car crosses a solid or dotted white line.

If the vehicle crosses a white line with the indicator off, the control unit starts to beep. At the same time, a vibrating mechanism built into the driver's seat is activated on the side corresponding to the direction of vehicle drift.
The system does not take over the vehicle controls. You remain in charge and are able to take any corrective action necessary to set the car back on course.

This innovation is a major breakthrough in terms of safety. It is one of the solutions developed to make up for driver inattention or temporary loss of concentration.

ESP is essentially it is an electronic device that ensures that the vehicle goes where you are pointing it.

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) works jointly with the ABS, EBD, EBA and engine management system. ESP is particularly effective in situations of oversteering or understeering. ESP ensures adhesion and helps keep the vehicle on the right track automatically.

The main function of this ESP system is to detect loss of adhesion of the vehicle and to influence its path by applying braking to one or more wheels or adjusting the throttle position. A set of sensors installed on the wheels of the vehicle will detect any loss of grip. The ESP system will then determine the correction required to maintain the vehicle’s path according to the position of the steering wheel, the vehicle speed and the accelerator position.

ESP helps to ensue that the car remains under the driver’s control. It is proven in helping accident prevention.

Electronically controlled Xenon Dual-function Directional headlamps improve visibility when cornering.

These intelligent headlamps incorporate an elliptical bi-Xenon directional module, which uniquely works in both the low-beam and high-beam positions to ensure excellent visibility at night or in bad weather. These headlamps improve visibility in to the bend and help the driver to distinguish other road users and possible obstacles, seeing hazards and the road ahead that bit sooner.

When the car approaches a bend, Directional Headlamps follow the curve of the road by +/-15°. First introduced by Citroën on the DS 50 years ago, the new generation of directional headlamps is managed by an electronic control unit which processes data supplied by the speed and steering angle sensors, and actuates the rotation movement of each lamp. The lamps therefore automatically provide a beam of optimum intensity, to light up curves and bends on the road ahead.

A Citroën innovation that makes for safer driving in every way.

Whilst the rim of the steering wheel turns normally, the centre hub remains static which means that all of the audio, information and driving controls operated from here stay in exactly the same place. It also means that the driver’s airbag can be specially sculpted to deploy more favourably than the round ones necessary in cars with conventional steering wheels.

This system is constantly monitoring the pressure in all four wheels and indicates under-inflated and punctured tyres.

To help the driver keep an eye on tyre pressures, bringing improvements in terms of driving noise reduction, fuel consumption and tyre wear, each wheel has a transmitter with a pressure sensor that sends information to the central computer. If the pressure detected is abnormal, the system continues to monitor that tyre every 5 seconds. If one of the tyres deflates below its minimum pressure, the driver is immediately warned about it, by means of a warning light together with a warning message on the centre console display and a single sound alert. In the event of a puncture, the visual displays ‘Puncture(s) Detected’ and is accompanied by a 3-beep sound alert together with the activation of the STOP warning.

This system makes an essential contribution to safety because it can signal any under-inflation of the tyres in good time. The system regularly measures the pressure of all four tyres (almost half of all tyre damage leading to an accident is due to the tyre being under-inflated).

A cutting edge six-speed electronic gearbox system that delivers high levels of driving comfort and pleasure as well as enhancing fuel economy, with a range of innovative options.

Choose between modes; in “manual”, you can change gear using either the paddles by the steering wheel, or the sequential lever. In “automatic” mode the gearbox will control gear change for you, maximising your drive comfort and optimising fuel consumption – to the order of 3 to 5% lower than a conventional manual gearbox, also helped by a sixth gear.

If you are up for a nippier drive you can also use the additional “sport” mode for responsiveness, and a “hill-start” mode will make up-hill starts more convenient.

With no need for a clutch pedal, and the chosen gear always displayed on the instrument panel, we have kept everything simple, giving you a high tech gearbox for a superb drive.

Hydractive 3+ suspension offers the ultimate in driver control and passenger comfort.

To begin with, the car maintains a constant ride height at all times regardless of load (either weight or force) which ensures excellent driver control. In addition, electronic sensors read the road and driving style hundreds of times a second and adapt the hydraulic damping accordingly, maintaining perfect poise.

The driver is also able to select two different suspension modes designed for varying degrees of comfort or sporty driving.

Pneumatic suspension at the rear for improved safety and comfort.

The pneumatic suspension system comprises a control unit, an ""air supply"" unit, two height sensors and two pneumatic cushions. The height sensors measure the distance to the stop. If this distance (and thus the height of the vehicle) changes, they send a message to the control unit, which then orders the compressor to correct this difference and return the vehicle to the correct height.

The pneumatic suspension improves comfort since it delivers a smoother ride and soaks up any bumps and dips in the road surface. It keeps the car at a constant height regardless of load, thus optimising comfort, driveability and safety.

Assistance with parking manoeuvres.

Using sensors built into the front bumper, the parking space 'gap' measurement function tells you whether a free parking space is big enough for your car.

The sensors scan the length of the parking space as you drive slowly past it. The measurement process is complete when the front of the car passes the space. The system beeps and a message flashes up on the multifunction screen to tell you whether parking is possible, difficult or inadvisable.

To help the driver to set off or manoeuvre on gradients.

Hill-start assist stops the vehicle sliding down a slope when you release the brake pedal. When the brake pedal is released, the vehicle automatically maintains a stationary position for up to two seconds, offering the driver the time to move their foot from the brake to the accelerator without the vehicle moving forwards or backwards on a slope.

Hill-start assist contributes to stress-free driving since you no longer have to balance the clutch and accelerator pedals.

A function which contributes to comfort and safety .

The automatic electric parking brake engages automatically when the engine is switched of and disengages automatically when you accelerate on start-up. It automatically controls the force necessary to immobilise the car.

If required, you can pull on the brake to immobilise your vehicle, for example on a slope without turning the engine of. In such instances the driver is also able to disengage the brake in the same way.

As well as contributing to convenience and safety, the automatic electric parking brake does away with the conventional manual parking brake, which is both cumbersome and non-ergonomic.

Laminated Acoustic Side Glass contributes appreciably to the reduction of external noise and is available on some of the CITROËN C5 and C6 ranges.

The laminated glazing with reinforced sound-proofing, is composed of several layers of polycarbonate film, sandwiched between two sheets of glass. This not only reduces noise intrusion but also protects against theft and vandalism.

Laminated glass gives added protection in the unlikely event of outside assault, as the glass remains in place even after an excessive impact. This is also valuable in keeping the occupants within the vehicle and foreign objects out, in the event of an accident.

NaviDrive 3D and MyWay: two complete high-tech systems.

NaviDrive 3D is an advanced telematics system with a host of functions. It features a large 16/9 colour screen with 3D maps showing building height, monuments and relief. It also includes a GSM telephone, multimedia services (radio, MP3 CD and video DVD player), GPS navigation and a jukebox function with a storage capacity of up to 10 Gb. It also provides access to the Citroën Assistance, Citroën Online and Citroën Emergency services.

MyWay is a radio and aerial navigation system with a large 16/9 colour screen. It includes a CD player, an auxiliary jack for portable audio devices and a Bluetooth kit for the hands-free telephone.

Visiospace or visiodrive: exceptional visibility from all angles.

Available as a production feature for the first time on the C4 Picasso, the panoramic windscreen delivers new driving sensations. It creates an exceptionally wide field of peripheral vision (more than 80° vertically) to create an impression of high-definition vision.

As well as providing greater visibility for all passengers, the panoramic windscreen lets the light flood in, enhancing the impression of space in a cabin that is open to the world.

The New C3, the hatchback with the largest windscreen and smallest roof on the market, delivers original driving sensations! It also brings the occupants more visibility and more light for increased safety and driveability. A balance created through light therapy.

A scented air freshener for a relaxed onboard ambience.

Styled to match the design of the dashboard, the scented air freshener diffuses a pleasant, subtle fragrance around the cabin. Controlled by a knob located on the dashboard, the driver can adjust the intensity of the fragrance or switch the system off.

Choose the fragrance(s) to suit you from the wide range on offer.

Advanced High-pressure Diesel Injection (HDI) technology to cut CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

Citroën HDi diesel engines use common-rail technology, in which a single rail supplies fuel to the injectors at a pressure of up to 2,000 bars. An electronic control system optimises the air-fuel mix in all conditions of use, considerably reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The new-generation common-rail system sets high standards of precision for improved efficiency. The recognised qualities of these diesel engines set them apart; reliability, response and torque reserve from the lowest engine speeds, acoustic comfort, low fuel consumption and reduced pollutant emissions.

A filtering device to destroy the pollutant particles in exhaust gases.

The Diesel Particulate Filter System (DPFS) features a porous silicon carbide core to trap pollutant particles in the exhaust gases. It then burns and destroys them periodically. The filter regeneration system is managed by a control unit that also carries out self-diagnosis.

The DPFS enhances the benefits of HDi diesel technology in environmental protection. Vehicles equipped with HDi diesel engines and a DPFS have near-zero particulate emissions.

A solution to cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions without jeopardizing performance.

Downsizing involves reducing engine capacity while increasing specific power in order to reduce fuel consumption and thus CO2 emissions.

This technology relies on direct injection and turbocharging. Direct injection ensures a uniform fuel spray and precise air-fuel mix in the combustion chamber for greater engine efficiency. And turbocharging delivers a more linear power curve, without any lag in acceleration.

The THP 150 (on the Citroën DS3, for example) is a remarkable illustration of this technology. A strong performer with limited fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, it allies maximum driveability with respect for the environment.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): another alternative.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel. It is abundant, economical and – above all – ecological, since it produces around 20% fewer CO2 emissions than petrol, with zero sulphur oxides or lead.

Compatible Citroën vehicles run primarily on natural gas and switch automatically from gas to petrol mode when the gas tank is empty. Gas is injected directly into the cylinder head via special injectors. This system of multipoint sequential injection optimises consumption while delivering high levels of performance and driving pleasure.

Practical and ecological, CNG is also economical to use, since it costs significantly less than conventional fuels available on the market.

Alternative fuels to reduce emissions of particulates, CO2 and pollutants.

Citroën engines are designed to run on biofuels; biodiesel for HDi diesel engines and bioethanol for petrol engines. These biofuels contribute to limiting climate change while also cutting vehicle CO2 emissions.

Biodiesel is a blend of diesel fuel and vegetable oil. Biodiesel B30 cuts CO2 emissions by 18% and particulate emissions by 22%.

Bioethanol is a blend of petrol and ethanol. Citroën designs petrol engines able to run on fuel with an ethanol (E10) content of up to 10%. This fuel cuts CO2 (well to wheel) emissions by around 6%.

Technology for the road.

Tyres with very low rolling resistance, such as the Michelin Energy Saver fitted on the Citroën C4, optimise rolling resistance and thus reduce the quantity of energy required to drive the vehicle forward.

Depending on the vehicle, this technology saves up to 0.2 litres of fuel per 100 km over a combined cycle, and almost 4g of CO2 per km. This corresponds to around one tonne of CO2 avoided during the service life of the vehicle.