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Citroen Oli Concept Could Inspire Next-Gen C4

  • The next generation of the Citroen C4 is reportedly under development, following the recent facelift.
  • The model is expected to be the production version of the Oli concept, retaining its quirky styling.
  • The 2027 Citroen C4 could ride on the Smart Car architecture, offering EV and mild hybrid options.

The 2022 Citroen Oli concept introduced the brand’s new styling language, but it turns out it was more than a design exercise. The next generation of the Citroen C4, which is already under development, will reportedly look like the quirky concept, with only a few toned-down features.

The current Citroen C4 was originally introduced in June 2020, and received a mid-lifecycle in October 2024, including the longer C4 X bodystyle derivative. The crossover with the aerodynamic silhouette has a hard time competing with well-established rivals in the compact segment like the VW Golf and the Toyota Corolla, making Citroen look for ways to further distinguish it.

More: 2025 Citroen Ami Gets Funkier With Bulging Eyes And 2CV-Style Gills

According to French media L’Argus, the Citroen Oli concept is a good candidate for evolving into the next C4, with its boxy SUV stance and funky elements deemed quirky enough to help it stand out from the crowd.

The concept has already served as an inspiration for the design of the C3 and C3 Aircross, the facelifted C4 and C4 X, and the upcoming C5 Aircross. Still, the new C4 is expected to be a lot closer in terms of footprint and proportions and reportedly end up with around 70% of the concept into the production version.

The C4 will most likely trade the flat and vertical windshield of the Oli with a more aerodynamic solution in favor of efficiency. The sloping roofline and the fastback-style tail might be carried over, although we don’t expect Citroen to go as far as to keep the concept’s pickup conversion abilities. Other changes could include redesigned bumpers, smaller wheels, and more conventional lighting units.

 Citroen Oli Concept Could Inspire Next-Gen C4
The 2022 Citroen Oli Concept came with a folding tailgate, designed to expand the cargo area.

The new model will most likely ride on the Smart Car architecture, which already underpins the Citroen C3 and C3 Aircross, the Fiat Grande Panda, and the Opel Frontera. This would allow Citroen to offer a choice between EV and ICE powertrain options, continuing the example of the current model that rides on the CMP / e-CMP platform. It would also result in competitive pricing, potentially making it one of the cheapest offerings in the segment.

L’Argus reports that the Citroen concept was originally intended to result in a production model, that would be manufactured in Slovakia alongside a Peugeot derivative. Plans were frozen in 2021, but the new CEO, Thierry Koskas, gave new life to the project in 2023, to reposition Citroen as a budget-oriented brand.

According to the latest information, the new Citroen C4 could arrive in 2027, which sounds like a stretch given that the first examples of the facelifted C4 will reach dealers in early 2025. French media speculate that Stellantis might keep the costs low by producing the Citroen C4 in Morocco, alongside a reborn Fiat Multipla sibling.

The Morocco facility, is currently home to the Citroen Ami, Opel Rocks Electric, and Fiat Topolino, with a capacity of 200,000 units per year. However, thanks to a recent investment it has been upgraded to produce vehicles based on the Smart Car architecture, which will eventually increase its production capacity to 450,000 units per year.

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2025 Citroen Ami Gets Funkier With Bulging Eyes And 2CV-Style Gills

  • The facelifted Citroën Ami debuts four years after the original, bringing a refreshed design.
  • The heavy quadricycle gets a redesigned front end, featuring larger, more expressive headlights.
  • Citroen also unveiled the Ami Buggy Vision concept, a beach-ready version with rugged styling.

The Citroen Ami has been doing its quirky little thing since 2020, winning over 65,000 customers—presumably people who enjoy driving something that looks like a Lego car come to life. Now, this loveable chunk of plastic is getting a mid-lifecycle update for 2025, with a fresh face and a nod to the iconic 2CV’s side gills.

The 2025 Ami made its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show 2024, together with the Ami Buggy Vision concept. The production model gets a nip and tuck with reworked front and rear ends, bigger lighting units, beefier bumpers, and, of course, the shiny new Citroen logo. And then there’s the headlights; they’ve been given a “human” makeover, framed by black trim that looks suspiciously like eyelids.

More: Fiat Topolino Gets A Cute Makeover For A Not-So-Cute $50,000

The profile might seem familiar at first glance, but the devil is in the details. Look closer, and you’ll spot fake gills (aka striations) on the front right fender—a cheeky homage to the 1948 Citroen 2CV. And because the Ami is about as symmetrical as a Rubik’s Cube, those same gills are mirrored on the rear left fender. Furthermore, the new wheel covers have a checkerboard pattern of squares with rounded corners.

As for the mechanicals, the French carmaker didn’t mention a thing about upgrades. Translation: you’re still looking at the same 8 horsepower electric motor and a teensy 5.5 kWh battery, perfect for those epic 2-mile commutes to the bakery and back.

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The market launch of the 2025 Citroen Ami is expected in the first half of 2025, with pricing to be announced closer to that date.

Beach-Ready Concept

Now, let’s talk about the Citroen Ami Buggy Vision concept, a beach-inspired fantasy version of the Ami that answers the age-old question: “What if we made the Ami… tough?” The body gets a midnight blue paint job, a contrasting white roof, black decals, and yellow-tinted headlights.

Ditching conventional doors for metal tubes, the Buggy Vision embraces open-air freedom, further enhanced by a canvas sunroof. The concept rides on chunky high-wall tires wrapped around flared fenders, and tops it off with a roof-mounted LED bar and a comical rear spoiler.

Citroen designers got creative with special mounts for a kite surfboard on the tube doors, and a unique luggage compartment that can store the kite sail. Finally, the interior adopts new seat cushions with a quilted look, and features an Infrared shade for the upholstery, originally introduced by the Oli concept.

While the automaker didn’t mention any plans for production, we wouldn’t be surprised if a slightly toned-down version of the Citroen My Ami Buggy Vision ended up offered for sale. After all, the previous iteration of the My Ami Buggy proved to be quite successful with buyers, forcing Citroen to expand its limited production numbers.

Beyond these headliners, Citroen also brought out its “Ami Tower” at the Paris show—a display featuring the My Ami for All, My Ami Rose Festival, and My Ami Pep special editions. And remember, the Ami isn’t alone in the heavy quadricycle game. It shares the limelight with its Stellantis siblings, the closely-related Fiat Topolino and Opel Rocks Electric.

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Citroen C5 Aircross Concept Previews A Family-Focused Compact SUV For 2025

  • A new generation of the Citroen C5 Aircross compact SUV will launch in 2025.
  • The previewing concept brings a fresh styling language and a larger footprint.
  • The SUV rides on the STLA Medium platform, offering ICE, hybrid, and EV options.

Citroen introduced the C5 Aircross Concept at the Paris Auto Show 2024, previewing the next generation of its compact SUV which is set to debut next year. The C5 Aircross has grown in size and adopts a sharper design language compared to its predecessor, while retaining its focus in comfort and practicality. The new model will ride on the STLA Medium platform, which is compatible with combustion, hybrid, and fully electric powertrains.

Citroen describes the C5 Aircross Concept as a “dense, muscular, and organic block, sculpted for aerodynamics”. Indeed, the exterior is characterized by boxy features, similar to the smaller C3 and C3 Aircross, with a few tricks to improve the aerodynamic efficiency.

Review: Here’s Why I Bought A Citroen C5 Aircross As A Family Hauler

The family-friendly SUV measures 4.65 mm (183 inches) long, which is 150 mm (5.9 inches) longer compared to the outgoing generation. A few details of the concept are expected to be toned-down for production, including the ultra-thin LED taillights that stick out of the bodywork like fins, and the greenhouse.

The automaker didn’t show us the interior, but promised it will be spacious, offering high levels of comfort for five passengers. They also talk about a “wellness area in the spirit of a lounge”, describing it as a “genuine cocoon on wheels”. Equipment will include a host of ADAS, and the latest infotainment and connectivity features.

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The 2025 C5 Aircross will swap the aging EMP2 architecture for the new STLA Medium platform, which already underpins the Peugeot 3008 / 5008 and the Opel Grandland. The latter has an identical footprint, making us believe it will be the closest relative to the upcoming C5 Aircross.

Multiple Powertrain Options

The French brand confirmed that the compact SUV will be available with gasoline, hybrid, and fully electric powertrains, without getting into specifics. Chances are that the base option will be the mild-hybrid turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS), which is widely used within the Stellantis group.

More: Chunky New Citroen C3 Aircross Ups Its Mini-SUV Game With EV And 7-Seat Options

It is not clear if Citroen plans on offering a plug-in hybrid version of the C5 Aircross, mirroring the lineups of the Peugeot 3008 and 5008. As for the first-ever fully electric e-C5 Aircross, this one could offer a choice between a 73 kWh or a 98 kWh battery pack, with a maximum range of 700 km (435 miles). Judging from the mechanically-related SUVs, the EV will likely be offered with single-motor (FWD) and dual-motor (AWD) setups.

With the upcoming demise of the C5 X after the end of its current lifecycle, the new C5 Aircross will eventually become the flagship offering of Citroen. We will learn more details about the production version as we get closer to its launch in 2025.

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