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The Citroen C4 Hatch and Coupe underwent a mild facelift late last year as part of its mid-cycle update. The updated sedan has made its debut at Shanghai Motor Show (20 April 2009).
Picking up a new name for the Chinese market, C-Quatre, the version shown in China is a preview of the C4 Sedan that will be sold in Europe by the end of the year. The new model can be distinguished by its restyled front end and updated interior, while the engine lineup should mirror that of the standard Hatch.
Designers have added new upholstery and a new grain on several trim parts, and incorporated the rev counter in the middle of the dashboard. Engine-wise, the C4 Sedan is available with two new petrol engines co-developed with BMW under the EP family guise. The first unit, the VTi 120, replaces the 1.6i 16V engine and delivers 120hp (88kW) from its 1.6L displacement. The second unit, the VTi 150, features a turbocharger and delivers 150hp (110kW). VTi stands for “Variable valve lift and Timing Injection”.
The HDi diesel engine range remains, featuring 92 (69kW), 110 (82kW) and 140hp (104kW) outputs.
Inside, the new C4 Sedan boasts a richer array of telematics equipment, notably a new-generation navigation system that comes with a Bluetooth function and can be connected to portable electronic devices.
The European-specific model will make its debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Shanghai Show also saw the debut of the new Citroen corporate identity, which will roll out across Citroen’s 217 Chinese dealers this year through the 230 cities cover by Citroen in China. Citroen dealers employ 3100 staff in China and these are supported by 12 technical training schools and two sales training schools in Chengdu and Wuhan. The development of Citroen’s Chinese dealers has seen their position in JD Power customer service survey rise to fourth place in 2008.
Buick has been positively welcomed in China as a rival to Lexus and other established luxury brands. And at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, Buick release its amazing Buick Business MPV concept, which was intended to target China’s upper class. Unlike the handsome Buick Riviera Concept we saw at Shanghai a couple of years ago that was built in collaboration with GM's Chinese and American operations, the new Business concept has been penned and engineered completely by GM's Pan Asian Technical Automotive Center (PATAC).
While the Buick Business may not appear to be much from the outside apart from an MPV with a Buick grille slapped on the front, the old adage of not judging a book by its cover comes into play when you learn what the vehicle holds in store for its occupants - namely a mobile boardroom.
Inside the concept viewers will find rotating seats that can face one another, tables and other features to help the concept live up to its 'Business' moniker. Capable of holding up to six passengers, the car also features some flashy electric sliding doors, 20in wheels (presumably to intimidate any potential business partners) and a glass roof.
Driven by a 2.4L four-cylinder engine, the Business concept also features an electric motor, as is now the norm these days with major manufacturers, to represent Buick's commitment to electric power and saving the environment. In this vein, the concept also features a stop-start system and regenerative braking.
While it’s unlikely this sort of vehicle will ever make it to the U.S., Buick is big business for GM in China. Thus, there is speculation that this concept may just be the beginning point, or a general design direction, for a number of Chinese built and designed vehicles for that market.
At 2009 Shanghai motor show, Jaguar released some new details about the automaker's highly-anticipated next-generation XJ sedan along with a teaser image and new video. Jaguar's managing director Mike O'Driscoll announced that XJ sedan will debut this July 9 in London before going on sale by the end of the year. The new XJ will be the first model feature the next-generation of Jaguar's aerospace-inspired aluminum body architecture, and it will be available with the carmaker’s latest 3.0L V6 turbodiesel and 510hp 5.0L supercharged petrol V8. A plug-in hybrid variant is also rumored to be launched one year after the regular model, though no confirmation has been made on this yet. 
As indicated by this new teaser, Jaguar designers have focused on alleviating many of the current XJ’s criticisms – namely the outdated styling and lack of engine options. One insider who had seen concept sketches for the car described it as looking like the C-XF’s features had been draped over an Aston Martin Rapide.
Previous spy shots revealed that the headlights will likely share some XF traits, though the rear could get fully-modern LED units of a unique design, possibly sharing hints of the Bentley Continental GT Flying Spur – one of the cars Jaguar would eventually like to rival with its new XJ.
High-tech features inside are said to include pressure sensing buttons, combined with backlit glass panels and the retracting transmission selector knob used in the XF.
