Two French automakers, Peugeot and Citroën, have each launched a crossover that is heavily based on the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Dubbed the Peugeot 4008 and Citroën C4 Aircross, the two crossovers are a fair bit more attractive than their Japanese ancestor.
Both the Peugeot and Citroën get touches like LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and 18-inch wheels. Gadgets like keyless entry and ignition, navigation, and more will be available. Peugeot says it was inspired to produce the 4008 because of growing global demand for crossovers, while Citroën claims its crossover imparts a “sense of escape into everyday driving.” The 4008 wears a bold trapezoidal front grille, straked hood, and rounded liftgate, while the C4 Aircross has Citroën’s signature dual-chrome-line grille and a bold character line along each side of the car.
The C4 Aircross will be offered in Europe with three diesel engines ranging from 110 hp to 148 hp, with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine offered for markets outside of Europe. Both front- and all-wheel drive are available. The diesel engines use five- or six-speed manual transmissions, while the gasoline mill can be optioned with a continuously variable transmission. The C4 Aircross goes on sale in Europe in the first half of 2012.
Peugeot will offer both front- and all-wheel drive, but expects about 80 percent of sales to have all-wheel drive. There are two gasoline engines, a 116-hp 1.6-liter and a 150-hp 2.0-liter, as well as a 112-hp 1.6-liter diesel and 150-hp 1.8-liter diesel. The gasoline engines will only be offered in markets outside of Europe. The 4008 goes on sale in the second quarter of 2012.
True Francophiles will be disappointed to learn that neither of the cars will be sold in the U.S. market, as neither Peugeot nor Citroën have operations on our shores. This isn’t the first time that the two have sold reskinned versions of Mitsubishi products, however: the companies began selling the larger Mitsubishi Outlander as the Peugeot 4007 and the Citroën C-Crosser several years ago. Peugeot and Citroën also sell a version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car as the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero in Europe.
