nove slike novega Citroena C4

Caught in the snow
Citroen is expected to unveil a prototype of the C4, its replacement for the ageing Xsara, at the Geneva Motor Show this spring. The company's long-awaited Focus/Astra rival is not going to be as distinctive-looking as the C:Airdream and C:Airlounge concept cars which have previewed the firm's future design direction, but it will bear a very strong resemblance to the cute little C2 and curvy C3 superminis, wearing a large chevron badge at the front end. Three-door versions – as seen here, hidden under layers of cladding to disguise the tailgate profile – and five-door models will be launched first, going on sale in time for autumn, with estate models following in 2005. The engine line-up is likely to include the 1.4-, 1.6- and 2.0-litre HDI diesels, and 1.4 or 1.8 petrol units; the sportier-specced, higher-performance versions will probably be diesel-powered. The show car for Geneva is expected to be a rally-influenced hot hatch, which will preview Citroen's future contender in the WRC as well as establishing the new range as sporty, dynamic and a lot less dull than the Xsara.

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