pumadog

Not bigger interest. But if "DS" becomes 1 or 2 top models for Citroën again, "Citroën DS x" like it originally was, they can cut all the expenses of a standalone brand with management, design, marketing, distribution … Maybe add a "DS line" for all Citroën models. Same should be done for Abarth. It was Fiat's tuning and racing division and in reality it has never been more than that. Not even one exclusive model. Kill the "standalone" brand, name the models "Fiat XY Abarth", add an "Abarth line" for cheaper models and you're fine. Those two core brands would even benefit from their "halo" sub-brands. Then Lancia … I don't know. It sold less cars than Ferrari in 2025 so far. I don't think it can survive in current state. If you want to relaunch a brand you need at least one real hit model and biiig money to get the word out. And the right market conditions. Like BMW's MINI relaunch in 2000–2002. Not this slow and quiet effort surrounded by dozens of Chinese newcomers. How many people (who might buy new cars) remember a glorious Lancia? Outside of Italy? When was the last time Lancia had success apart from low-budget sales? When in C or D segment? The other option for Lancia/DS would be a brand duo like Opel/Vauxhall with local badge swap. If the combined numbers would be enough and friends of the brands would get along with that.

German article about the future of DS: https://ecomento.de/2025/09/23/zukunft-von-ds-unklar-rueckkehr-zu-citroen-im-gespraech/

At least there's almost free wheel choice now. If we could trust page 6, the Icona seats are cloth/vinyl for Sprint now. And all standard armrests are listed as cloth and not vinyl anymore. I guess it's just errors. The Junior is Serie 1 now, according to the last page. But what did really change apart from trim packs?

I don't see any reason for the upper picture. Corsa and 208 get the same treatment. And the ongoing production of their hybrid variants is the only hope to not see the lower picture soon.

They might have realized a premium brand needs more options than mainstream. Is the Italian price list available already?

The Aero wheels are in the marketing material and price lists since the beginning. So what has really changed apart from reshuffled packs? I hope for redesigned door cards and materials.

They have D segment and looong C with Alfa Giulia, Stelvio, DS 7, 8, Citroën C5 Aircross, Opel Grandland, Peugeot 5008, Lancia Gamma. But also normal C segment would benefit. How much power can we expect from a 1.2 FHEV? The Renault 1.8 HEV doesn't deliver much more than the STLA 1.2 MHEV.

Articles say they only built marine and industry engines since 2022, so the vehicle role for Stellantis is gone since years. Stellantis joins VW in playing catch-up on full hybrids for Europe Behind a paywall, maybe someone can read when we can expect them.

Cladding on the dashboard? 🙃

As every new Renault looks different at the moment I wonder if Renault has a common design identity at all. In contrast the interiors of R5, R4 and this are quite similar. A little bit strange that the soft/cloth parts of the Clio's dashboard and door cards are where you don't touch normally and not at the arm rests.

The open (and double rear) lights are interesting and cool but might be a pain to keep clean with all the cracks and holes. Overall the car looks ok, but the front is very busy, anonymous and – for me – plain ugly. Too bad the Clio got 6–7 cm longer without offering more wheelbase or space. They cheapened the car in some elements, like the missing adjustable boot floor.

The next Corsa on STLA Small will come electric-only in 2027. It's planned to start under 25k Euro to rival the upcoming VW ID Polo. The current generation might be sold alongside as ICE/HEV, at least in south Europe. Top Gear had an interview with CEO Florian Huettl: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/next-vauxhall-corsa-will-be-electric-only-cost-ps22k-and-look-a-bit-gse

IAA seems to be only Opel and Leapmotor.

I know, my second sentence belongs to that thought. 😀 There's also the possibility that they continue with the 2.0 T4 in the new models. Upcoming T4 EVO version (with enhancements from T6 "Hurricane") seems to be still in test phase.

But they need to continue Giulia/Stelvio in North America if they don't want to give up there. And I guess the low production makes more sense when they have additional sales from Europe. Also, the next generations will have a better start with continuity until then. So it's a mixed calculation.