Hey, this duo looks cool!
Peugeot will focus on 4WD for 4008.
The Citroen C4 Aircross and Peugeot 4008 are all-new compact SUVs (aka crossovers) built off the Mitsubishi RVR (known as ASX in Europe and Outlander Sport in the US) and are five-seaters positioned slightly below the Honda CR-V and its likes.
Although the Aircross and 4008 share the RVR's 2,630mm wheelbase, they are longer overall, wider and taller due to bespoke details like bigger bumpers and fenders.
Don't the French already have an SUV deal with Mitsu?
Yeah they do (see sidebar). Although the seven-seat C-Crosser and 4007 aren't yet past their age, they could eventually be phased out as big SUVs aren't really selling that well in global markets. That explains the 4008 designation _ designed to replace the 4007.
And if you look at the Mitsubishi Outlander sibling, its existence doesn't really make any sense in the presence of the popular Pajero Sport. FYI: the Outlander was built in Thailand but only shipped to Singapore.
So, it's another no-show for the French in Thailand?
True, the C-Crosser and 4007 never went on sale in Thailand, but the case could be different for the Aircross and 4008.
The downsizing strategy, the French claim, is uniform and applies on an international scale. Peugeot, for one, says the 4008 could represent 70% of sales after it hits world markets in the second half of 2012.
Europe naturally gets 1.6- and 1.8-litre diesel-turbo engines; elsewhere it will be 150hp 2.0-litre petrol variation coupled with Mitsubishi's CVT automatic. Peugeot thinks that 4WD will sell better than 2WD.
Will the Thai Mitsubishi plant help out?
In theory, it could. But nothing substantial has been confirmed yet, even though a source says the notion is logical. Another option is to use Peugeot's Malaysian base where the 207 saloon is currently made and shipped to Thailand via Afta scheme.
Interestingly, these crossovers sort of overlap with two models within the PSA Group: the Citroen DS4 and Peugeot 3008. It remains to be seen how PSA is going to rationalise its model lineup from now on.
Like the 4008, Citroen’s Aircross will get Mitsubishi’s 2.0-litre petrol engine and CVT automatic for markets outside of Europe.
FRENCH-JAPANESE AFFAIR
The PSA Group, makers of Peugeot and Citroen, is now having an array of product collaboration with Mitsubishi in order to consolidate its position in the global car market. Following are the current deals:
- The Mitsubishi seven-seat Outlander SUV served as the basis for the Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007. Both makers pooled the best of their diesel and petrol engines, while Mitsubishi gave its SST dual-clutch automatic tech to the the French.
- The Mitsubishi i-MiEV city car was the progenitor for the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iON, including the electric motor and lithium-ion battery package.
- The latest generation of the Mitsubishi RVR appeared two years ago before handing its blueprint to the Citroen C4 Aircross and Peugeot 4008. Mitsubishi's CVT auto slips to the French again.
- Although not formally seen yet, the next development is based around Mitsubishi's pending Ecocar and would be shared with the all-new Citroen C3 and Peugeot 208 expected to arrive with petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric drivetrains.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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