Citroen to launch revolutionary suspension system in 2017

Kuala Lumpur: Citroen will launch a revolutionary new suspension system in 2017. The new suspension system will replace the hydropneumatic set-up that is utilised on the Citroen C5 at present, and will eventually be rolled out across the entire Citroen range.

On rolling out of this new suspension system in Citroen cars, CEO Linda Jackson said, “Comfort is a core value of the Citroen brand, and this is ours way to recreate the benefits of the hydropneumatic set-up in a more modern, more appropriate way.”

Citroen is keeping quiet about how this breakthrough in suspension has been achieved, with Jackson refusing to comment on whether or not the system will feature air suspension or incorporate self-levelling.

The remark that this will only be present on Citroen cars does raise a question mark over the fate of the brand’s DS-badged siblings. The most likely reasoning is that Citroen DS5 is sporty while Citroen is trying to push a more conservative but luxury agenda and that a new suspension set-up would not benefit Citroen DS as much.

This doesn’t make complete sense because vehicles like the Citroen DS5 continue to be marketed as luxury vehicles.

While making the announcement on this issue, Jackson said that Citroen would be halving its model portfolio. It currently produces 14 models excluding the Citroen C1, which is a joint venture with Toyota and Peugeot. That means it will be striving to cut its current line-up down to seven while retaining the Citroen C1.

“I can guarantee it will be unique to Citroen,” she said. “We have the opportunity to pick new technologies for the future and I am sure this one is best suited to Citroen's core values. I believe I can promise you this will be a Citroen-only system."

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Jackson also reasserted her intention to reduce the number of Citroen body styles on sale by half. At present, she says there are 14 available, plus the Citroen C1, which is co-developed with Peugeot and Toyota. In future, she wants to offer seven body styles, plus the C1. Long-wheelbase vehicles, typically developed specifically for the Chinese market, will also be made in addition to these.

Despite the reduction in Citroen's model range, Jackson hopes to grow sales by 15% by 2020, to around 1.6m cars a year.