CITROEN is to launch four new models in the UK in the next two to three years following this month's showroom launch of the Xsara Picasso. UK sales - both fleet and retail - have been falling but the French manufacturer hopes the launch of the mini-MPV will breathe new life into the marque, boosting fleet sales and taking UK business through the 100,000-units-a-year barrier.

It is the first new Citroen for more than two-and-a-half-years, however, a new Xantia will be launched at the end of this year. Following this launch, the next new Citroen arrival is likely to be based on the three-door Pluriel which debuted as a concept at last year's Frankfurt International Motor Show.

Although supermini in size, it is more radical than traditional sector cars having the capability to be transformed from a hard-top into a soft-top and into a convertible thanks to removable panels.

Next in line is likely to be the C3 which was first seen at the Paris Motor Show in 1998 and has been tipped as the possible replacement for the Citroen Saxo.

Finally, Citroen is likely to launch a version of the C6 Lignage concept car which, debuted at last year's Geneva Motor Show and would take the place of the 11-year-old XM in the executive car segment.