Citroën to Show DS4 Purple, C3 Red Block and C6 Noir et Blanc Concept Models at the Geneva Salon

With the 2011 Geneva motor show only a week away, Citroën has published photos but very few details on three new concept cars based on the firm's production models that it plans to reveal on March 1. The design studies are the C3 Red Block, DS4 Purple and the C6 ‘Noir et Blanc’.

Starting with the C3 Red Block, the French firm's supermini sports a bespoke matt grey paintjob with red accents on the window line and the 17-inch alloy wheels, plus smoked headlamps and tail lamps, a lowered suspension, and unique interior trim highlighted by the red leather seats, aluminum accents on the steering wheel, door panels and center console, and what the company describes as a "3D Bulldog carved dashboard".

Set to make its debut alongside the final production version of the high-riding DS4, will be a design study called the DS4 Purple, which according to Citroën, "takes inspiration from the techniques of jewellery craft".

The third and final concept is the C6 ‘Noir et Blanc’, which is a study on new colors and materials for the firm's range-topping model.

We'll have more details on Citroen's trio of concept cars at the Geneva Salon next week.

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Citroën's high riding DS4 unveiled ahead of Paris Motor Show [31 photos]

Say bonjour to Citroën's latest creation and the second member of its DS lineup of special models after the DS3, the all-new DS4 that was revealed online today ahead of its public premiere at next month's Paris Motor Show.

Based off the freshly revealed C4 hatchback (Citroën's rival to the VW Golf), the DS4 is the production version of the French carmaker's Geneva Salon DS High Rider concept car. The key difference between the two models is that, whereas the design study featured a three-door body style, the DS4 gets five-doors with hidden rear handles.

Citroën describes the DS4 as "a unique and attractive blend of creativity, dynamism, exclusivity and versatility", which in reality translates to a potpourri of design influences from numerous cars and segments ranging from the coupe-esque roofline and hidden rear door handles, to the almost crossover-like road clearance.

Inside, the French automaker's designers basically spiffed up the cabin with higher-class materials and decorative trim than the standard C4 hatch, while also offering more personalization options such as a choice of five leather combinations, including two-tone colors.

Range-topping models are also equipped with high quality leather on the dashboard and door panels while all versions come with a standard large panoramic windscreen that extends backwards into the roofline.

The new Citroën measures 4.27 metres long, 1.81 metres wide and 1.53 metres high, making it 60mm shorter, 20mm wider and 40mm taller than the regular C4. It features a 370-litre boot capacity, which is 38 liters less than the C4s.

At launch, the DS4 will come with a choice of five powerplants. There are two diesel options, a 110HP 1.6-liter HDi that can be specified with stop/start tech and regenerative braking technology, and a 160HP 2.0-liter HDi. The petrol range consists of three 1.6-liter engines that were co-developed with the BMW Group and include a naturally aspirated version with 120HP, and two turbocharged variants with 155HP and 200HP.

All engines are available with manual or robotized manual EGS six-speed gearboxes.

The new DS4 will reach European showrooms in 2011, with more specific details to be released at the Paris motorshow.