Cactus loses its spikes

Citroën have lost the pair they grew with the revised C4 Cactus.

Posh names and trim levels

Coinciding with Ford's launch of the Vignale name. A look back at top-end names and trim levels of everyday cars...

Life and times of the CX mirrors

Shared heritage (or part) more than you ever care to know about.

Citroën C4 Cactus – The modern day 2CV?

May not look like a tin snail. But it carries the ethos of one of Citroën's past greats.

TRUTH to be told, I was never really sure on what to make of the Citroën C4 Cactus when I first saw pictures of it.

But I’ve got to take a bow to the French outfit in wanting to make a car that’s really something out of the ordinary. At the end of the day, that’s what Citroen is loved and best known for.

I don’t know if it’s me – and dare I say it – the new C4 Cactus could be a modern day 2CV. It was designed to be a cheap and utilitarian family hack. Typically, Citroën have made a car (or at least attempted to) that function doesn't necessarily have to be boring and mudane.

Them inflated rubber side panels - which Citroën calls them 'Airbumps'. That will be a talking point about the C4 Cactus, but can also be a selling point for the car itself. Parents with toddlers and young children would probably buy one because of the rubber panels. Another reason is that it'll be competitively priced too – that's because it'll be built down to a price - rather like the old Deux Cheu Veux.

I also think that this is a car that kids would like. The C4 Cactus does look like a car that was designed by a child as well. The vibrant colours that Citroën have available on the C4 Cactus. I'm sure some of them would be pestering their parents to get a bright yellow one with black rubber panels. Probably to make it look more like Bumblebee from The Transformers.

To end this, I do think the C4 Cactus could go down well. Not only in France, but also in the UK. Us Brits will like the Citroën C4 Cactus. Not just because it's a practical and competitively priced small family car. But it's one with quirky features and idiosyncrasies. Something that's different, it's one with character.

Should Peugeot-Citroën bring back Talbot?

Following the success of Dacia resurrected in being Renault’s budget brand. Could Peugeot-Citroën (PSA) be onto something with reviving the Talbot brand?

THERE has been rumours and speculation over Peugeot-Citroën resurrecting the Talbot name. With the PSA bringing it back as a budget car brand. In a similar vein that archrivals Renault have done with Dacia. To a lesser extent and not so much so nowadays, is Volkswagen with Skoda.

With the success of the Sandero and Duster, it goes without saying that there is a healthy market for cheap, back-to-bare, no frills motors. Especially in Eastern Europe, but its popularity has grown in Western Europe as well.

As the PSA are keen in pushing Peugeot and Citroën brands upmarket. With the market there is for cheap and basic motors from the popularity of Dacia's cars. Still, the PSA could be onto something with launching a budget brand that would help push Peugeot and Citroën upwards.

If the PSA do revive the Talbot name as a budget marque. Would there be a new the Samba and Horizon in the pipeline? If they do, I suspect it could be based on the old Citroën C2, and sold at rock bottom prices. They could be onto a winner there.

Shabby old sleepers are hilarious

Especially if it looks like a tired old Citroën AX, that leaves boy racers in souped up Corsas left for dust!

Want exclusivity? Get a Citroën C6!

This Gallic barge is more exclusive than a Rolls-Royce. No really, it is.

Famous faces

A look into car commercials where celebrities front the campaigns.