The PSA Group 1.2 litre Puretech takes Engine Of The Year for the third year running.

During the 18th International Engine of the Year Awards held in Stuttgart, an international jury of journalists awarded the prize of ‘2017 Engine of the Year’ to the PureTech 1.2L 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine in the 1L to 1.4L category.

An industrial and commercial success

For the third year in the row, the ‘2017 Engine of the Year’ prize confirms the commercial success of this accomplished petrol engine, which is available in 110 and 130hp (PureTech 110 S&S and PureTech 130 S&S). 

The facts:

• With over 850,000 units already produced in the industrial facilities of the Française de Mécanique manufacturing site in Douvrin (France) and in Xiang Yang (China) since its launch in 2014, this engine will also be manufactured at the Trémery plant (France) at the end of 2017 in order to meet the increase of the demand and double the production capacity for this engine in France. Annual production will exceed 1 million units by 2019.
• The PureTech 1.2-litre engine, in 110 and 130hp versions is fully deployed on over 90 vehicles applications in 70 countries. In 2017, it contributed to the commercial success of PSA group’s new products that included the all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV – European Car of the Year 2017 and the new Citroën C3.
• On the European market, the PureTech 1.2L 3-cylinder modular family represents a third of PSA Group’s total petrol and Diesel engines.

A greater performance and environmentally-friendly power unit

Recognised for its all-round driving performance, even at the lowest rpm, the PureTech 1.2L 3-cylinder turbo continues to evolve and will benefit from significant improvements before the end of 2017, with enhancements in efficiency, performance and fuel consumption (up to 4%):

• introduction of a petrol particulate filter to reduce emissions particles by more than 75% in anticipation of future 2020 regulation standards in Europe and China;
• optimisation of efficiency, due to the combustion cycle evolution and a 250bar fuel injection pressure;
• reduction in mechanical friction and introduction of a new turbocharger;
• making the engine more compact to optimise body aerodynamics (SCx gains).

Commenting on the award, Christian Chapelle, Vice-President, Powertrain and Chassis Engineering, PSA Group, said: "Receiving this award confirms the exceptional quality and performance of our petrol engines. We are continuing to optimise our internal combustion engines to make them more efficient and ever more environmentally friendly, thereby better addressing the challenges of energy transition."

The Peugeot 308 gets a mid life makeover bringing it into line with the rest of the new range.

• New PEUGEOT 308, 308 SW and 308 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT incorporate new infotainment and safety technology
• All-new powertrains boost performance and efficiency
• Enhanced trim, colours and wheel designs complete revised exterior styling

The New PEUGEOT 308, due to hit UK roads in September, is the most connected and safest yet with a range of technology and styling enhancements for the 2018 model year. 

In a class driven by connectivity, New PEUGEOT 308 customers benefit from a 9.7” capacitive touchscreen which puts the key functions of the interior safely at the fingertips of the driver. From dual zone climate control to 3D Connected Navigation with TomTom Live updates. 

The new infotainment system incorporates Mirror Screen®, comprising Mirrolink®, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto functionality, allowing the seamless integration of smartphone functions with the interface, ensuring drivers safely access functions as required. 

Driving aids make New PEUGEOT 308 one of the safest cars in its class 

Benefitting from all of the driving aids of the globally acclaimed all-new PEUGEOT 3008 SUV, PEUGEOT’s family hatchback and SW now offer intelligent Speed Limit Recognition, Adaptive Cruise Control, with stop functionality and an Active Blind Spot Monitoring System. 

PEUGEOT’s Speed Limit Recognition offers a new level of intelligence. A windscreen-located camera reads speed limit signs and displays them on the car’s dashboard. Signs for specific vehicles, such as HGVs, are filtered from the information feed. 

The option of Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop function detects vehicles in front of the car and adjusts the speed automatically using the brakes to retain a safe distance. An Active Blind Spot Monitoring System also alerts the driver to the presence of another vehicle in the blind spot to avoid any potential danger. City Park, a smart park assist system completes the safety and convenience offering.

New Euro 6 compliant petrol and diesel engines 

Under the bonnet, the New PEUGEOT 308 offers a new range of engines which are all compliant with strict Euro 6 regulations. The award winning three-cylinder PureTech petrol engine has been upgraded for the new model year, and is coupled with a new six-speed manual gearbox for improved efficiency and control. At-exhaust emission controls on the engine are designed for efficient pollution reduction; high-precision injection control on the 1.2L PureTech 130 Stop&Start engine enhances combustion efficiency: exhaust gases pass through a catalytic converter followed by a passive-regeneration particle filter. 

The New PEUGEOT 308 is also the first PSA Group model to adopt the new 1.5L BlueHDi 130 S&S diesel engine, a four-cylinder unit that also implements at-source and at-exhaust emission control. Tested under competition conditions at the 24-hour Le Mans event, the engine also adds an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) pollution control system. 

The new eight-speed automatic transmission coupled with the 2.0L BlueHDi 180 Stop&Start completes the new engine range, while the New PEUGEOT 308 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT is powered by a 270 PS THP Stop&Start unit, enabling 0-62 mph in just 6.0 seconds with CO2 emissions of just 139g/km.

Enhanced exterior and interior trim 

On the inside, new seat fabrics for Active and Allure trims enhance the comfortable interior, and all New 308 models benefit from the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® layout with its trademark compact steering wheel. On the inside the cabin is further enhanced with the inclusion of a panoramic fixed cielo glass roof on Allure, GT Line and GT versions.

Externally, the PEUGEOT trademark styling details have been revised for a sharper look. The distinctive rear ‘Claw Effect' lights are now standard, while the front and rear bumpers and headlights have been re-shaped to echo the family look of the all-new PEUGEOT 3008 SUV.

Drivers looking to make a real design statement can now specify the PEUGEOT 308 GTi by PEUGEOT SPORT in two-tone Coupe Franche in Magnetic Blue and Black Perla Nera.

David Peel, Managing Director at PEUGEOT UK commented: “The New PEUGEOT 308 is now more competitive than ever. The new car adds to an already impressive technology offering, while new styling and interior options bolster the car’s kerbside appeal and bring it in line with the new PEUGEOT SUV family”.

“PEUGEOT’s commitment to developing class-leading engine technology is also highlighted by the presence of the new versions of the award-winning PureTech and BlueHDi engines. The blend of performance and economy finishes a unique package for the keen driver.”

The New PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW will be available to order this summer with the first deliveries in September. Customers will be able to configure and buy their new car using PEUGEOT’s Order Online facility.

The All-New Citroen C3 begins it's sales push on Boxing Day ready for an on sale date early in January.

The striking New Citroën C3 officially goes ‘on sale’ in the UK on Tuesday 3 January 2017. Order books are already open for customer orders, cars are now on display in Citroën showrooms and the New C3 TV advertising campaign begins on Boxing Day. 

This latest Citroën supermini brings new levels of advanced comfort, the latest technologies and an array of personalisation options to the supermini sector.

• New Citroën C3 offers a sense of well-being and serenity, thanks to the Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme.
• New C3 sees the world premiere of ConnectedCAM Citroën™, which features an integrated on-board HD camera that can instantly share pictures and videos via social media.
• With 3 roof colours and 9 body colours available, New C3 provides a total of 36 colour combinations to choose from.  
• Prices start from just £10,995 MRRP OTR.

New Citroën C3 is now available to order in the UK, with prices starting from just £10,995 OTR for the Touch trim level, from £13,045 OTR for Feel versions and from £14,795 for Flair models. The official ‘on sale’ date is just days away – Tuesday 3 January.

With more than 3.6 million examples sold globally since the first-generation C3 was launched in 2002, including 200,000 in the UK alone, Citroën has renewed its best-selling model. 

Optimistic, human and smart, New C3 is everything you would expect from the Citroën brand. It is colourful, stylish, brimming with new technologies, supremely comfortable and boasts a bold, fun-loving personality.

Bold exterior design

Highly customisable and with a distinctive design, New C3 offers a level of energy and personality that is unique to the supermini sector. With 3 roof colours to choose from, and a total of 9 body colours, New C3 provides a total of 36 exterior colour combinations. 

The bold new design at the front gives a strong impression of robustness and the black window pillars create the appearance of a floating roof to help accentuate the dynamic stance of the car. The deliberately high bonnet line and purposeful wheel arch extensions give New C3 a definite crossover character.

Offering personality, style and protection, New Citroën C3’s signature Airbump® panels guard against everyday dents and scrapes. The Airbump® panels themselves, which are optional, can be specified with a white or red motif, depending on customer preference.

At the rear, the 3D lights showcase the high-tech identity of New C3. The newly-designed chevrons and C3 badge now appear in black with a chrome surround.

On-board well-being

The spacious interior of New Citroën C3 takes inspiration from the worlds of travel and interior design. The customer has a choice of three interior finishes, including two optional upgrades – ‘Urban’ Red and ‘Hype’ Colorado. Each ambiance delivers a sense of harmony, expressed through the soft and welcoming textiles used throughout the cabin.

The Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme has directly influenced the creation of New C3, delivering a sense of serenity, comfort and calm inside the cabin. The sense of well-being starts with the comfortable seats and extends to the panoramic glass sunroof that fills the car with natural light. 

New C3 has one of the most spacious cabins in the supermini sector and provides 22mm more rear legroom than the previous model, and a 300-litre boot. 

There are plenty of generous storage compartments too. The door pockets are even finished with a light colour, making it easier to find items like keys or a mobile phone in poor light.

Up-to-the-minute technologies

The ConnectedCAM Citroën™ technology makes its first appearance in New C3. Featuring a wide-angle HD camera (positioned just behind the rear-view mirror), GPS technology and a 128GB memory, it has two main functions. 

ConnectedCAM Citroën™ can be used to safely take photos or videos that can be instantly shared via social media using a free app. It also operates as a conventional dashcam in the event of an on-road incident.  

With GPS as part of ConnectedCAM Citroën™, the driver can also locate their vehicle when it has been parked in an unfamiliar location.

New Citroën C3 also features a 7-inch colour touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard that provides intuitive access to all of the main vehicle controls, including CitroënConnect Nav. This latest-generation navigation system is both touch and voice activated. 

Not only does it access connected services such as TomTom Traffic to provide live traffic updates, but it can also highlight known accident blackspots, enhancing safety as well as convenience.

New Citroën C3 also features MirrorLink® and Apple CarPlay™, a reversing camera and hill-start assist. Technologies for safety include a lane departure warning system, blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention alert.

PureTech and BlueHDi engines

New C3 comes with a choice of efficient PureTech petrol and BlueHDi Diesel engines. There is a choice of three PureTech three-cylinder petrol engines: PureTech 68, 82 and 110 (Stop & Start), and two Diesel powertrains: BlueHDi 75 (Stop & Start) and 100 (Stop & Start). All of the PureTech petrol engines are versions of the International Engine of the Year winner in 2015 and 2016.

For the ultimate in driveability and comfort, the New C3 PureTech 110 S&S Flair will also gain Citroën’s EAT6 automatic gearbox from February 2017.

Model range and pricing

TRIM	ENGINE	CO2 (g/km)	MRRP OTR
Touch	PureTech 68 manual	108	£10,995.00
	PureTech 82 manual	108	£11,695.00
	BlueHDi 75 S&S manual	92	£13,295.00
Feel	PureTech 68 manual	109	£13,045.00
	PureTech 82 manual	109	£13,745.00
	PureTech 110 S&S manual	103	£14,945.00
	BlueHDi 75 S&S manual	93	£15,345.00
	BlueHDi 100 S&S manual	95	£16,045.00
Flair	PureTech 82 manual	109	£14,795.00
	PureTech 110 S&S manual	103	£15,995.00
	BlueHDi 100 S&S manual	95	£17,095.00

TMW - The C4 from Citroen is a brilliant car, so, why does it not sell better than it does ?

When you develop a car in the hotly contested family hatchback segment, you have a vast amount of great cars to compete with the Golf and Focus along with the Astra and Peugeot 308 are just a small amount of cars that you would be competing with.

So, you really have to have something special to draw sales away from those market leaders, and sometimes you develop a car that is good, very good in fact, yet does not sell in the numbers that you would like it too, this car is one of those, the Citroen C4 hatchback is a brilliant car.

The current C4 is part of a range of products, in name if not in build, the C4 Cactus, C4 Picasso and Grand Picasso, these cars are very successful, which begs the question why is the standard car not as popular, could it be that it it not as beautiful or dynamic as other cars in this segment, could it be that the car does not offer the same tech as others, or, maybe, its just a car that does not float peoples boat, i dont know why.

The C4 is a great car, regardless of what other magazines and online motoring sites say, the C4 is a must when you're considering a new car, yes the car might not have the most modern of looks, but as you sit inside the car, the outside is of little concern, but inside the car is right up there, modern, great looking, nice soft touch materials, easy to reach switchgear, easy to use touchscreen and far more besides.

This model we tested is the C4 Flair PureTech 130 S&S 6-Speed Automatic, so a step up the scale, the Touch is the entry-level trim for the Citroen C4. It comes with 16-inch steel wheels with plastic hubcaps, heated door mirrors, a black cloth interior, a multi-function steering wheel with buttons to control the radio on it, six airbags, cruise control and storage drawer under the front passenger seat.

You then move up to the Feel trim level which adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and gearknob, cruise control with a memory function for your most regularly used speeds, stop/start to save fuel in traffic and DAB digital radio. You also get Bluetooth to let you make hands-free phone calls, and there's a USB socket to let you play music from your mobile devices.

And lastly you come to the top trim level, the Flair takes everything the Feel model has and adds tinted rear windows, chrome-look door mirrors, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, a noise-reducing windscreen and a seven-inch touchscreen to control the DAB digital radio.

The interior has some nice touches like being able to change the colour of dash dials, something simple but a nice touch, the auto gearbox display shows which gear you are in, and if you move it into selectable, it shows which gear you're in and whether you need to move up or down the gear range.

The exceptionally comfortable seats offer suitable bolstering where needed, the nice sized steering wheel, decent and proper hand brake lever, nicely damped buttons and soft feel stalks as well as well weighted doors, so that they close without needing to be slammed all make for a nice interior.

There is loads of space for the driver and passenger, and once the seats are in place, the rear passengers are well catered for, again with really comfortable seating, which then brings us to the boot, this is superb in available space, the car also comes with a number of cubby holes and spaces for oddments all around.

The drive is equally as good and quiet, the car tested is the 1.2 litre PureTech turbo, it goes really well, and grips to the road equally as good, being a large car with a smallish engine, does affect the fuel consumption where the manufacturer's claimed figures being :-

• Urban 46.3mpg
• Extra Urban 67.3mpg
• Combined 57.6mpg

Not the best mpg in the world, but also far from the worst, the car swiftly get to its top speed of 122mph, with a 0-62 time of 10.9 seconds, quite sedate, but should you give the car some "beans" you wont feel left wanting, it really does get up and go.

Being that it is the top spec car you can be assured that it will come well equipped, and you wont be disappointed here either :-

• Cruise Control with Speed Limiter
• TPMS
• Stop & Start
• Rear Parking Sensors
• ABS
• EBD
• EBA
• ESC
• Traction Control
• Auto Activation of Hazard Lights in Rapid Deceleration
• Power Steering
• DAB Digital Radio
• 7" Touchscreen
• Panoramic Sunroof

Just a short selection of the available equipment that is fitted as standard on the car, along with many safety features giving the C4 a Euro NCAP Five Star rating, something that many people regard as a must have these days.

The car also comes with 113g/km CO2, and is rated in the "B" road fund licence, together with a one year or 16,000 mile service length and a three year 60,000 warranty that the car comes with, making this a really good car to have.

OVERALL

The C4 is an extremely good car to own, ot goes very well, and stops equally as well, has comfortable seating along with nice touch plastics and fabrics, easy reach soft touch buttons, well weighted power steering and a raft of standard equipment.

The car is great around town, with the start & Stop system helping to save a few pennies on fuel, and at motorway speeds, you can cruise along at 70mph and have a conversation with your passengers without having to raise your voice.

The glass area makes for a brilliant all around view, with the addition of the panoramic sunroof, with multi position cover, means you can position the cover where you want it, to block out sunlight or have it right open to allow a very light and airy interior.

Yes you could buy a Golf or a Focus, a Megane or Astra or maybe the sister brands 308, but with a little checking online, you will see that you can locate the C4 with thousands of pounds off retail, bringing the asking price down to a really ow level..