You're not going to last in the car industry at the moment unless you've got a small SUV in your line-up. Now accounting for 16 per cent of the new car market (and growing), these cars are not really SUV's but they do give a higher driving position and offer styling that has been - up to now - unconventional. Citroen's new one - the C3 Crossover - won't be launched here until November but it likely to benefit from the profile currently enjoyed by the more standard C3.
Colours - interior and exterior - can be mixed and matched.
Personalisation and splashes of colour are the order of the day. Colour touches to things like the wheel trims, wing mirrors and roof bars can be complemented with a choice of body colours. Upholstery can also be mixed and matched.
However, clever use of space and light is the most impressive feature of the car. It is not quite as spacious in the rear when the front seats are extended back as Citroen would like to claim, but it is very roomy nonetheless. The headroom is also very impressive. The fact that the glass areas extends around the car adds to the feeling of spaciousness and light and the car also has the first panoramic glass roof that actually opens.
There will be a choice of two petrol engines - 82 and 110 horse power respectively - and a diesel with 100 horse power. Of the 400 C3's currently on the road, 75 per cent are now petrol - a complete reversal of the balance three years ago.
Citroen dealers are also reporting great demand for petrol versions of the C4 Picasso seven-seater as people move further away from diesel.
Features such as lane departure warning, hill start assist and rear parking sensors will also be standard on the Crossover.
No prices have yet been announced for the car.
