Citroen and Peugeot SUV's news - French resistance - 2007

Off-roaders and the French don't have the happiest histories. Remember the Matra Rancho? Essentially a tarted-up van with windows and some 4x4 attitude.

The Rancho was only front-wheel drive, which meant it was never going off-road, but now we have not one but two French SUVs arriving at the same time.

OK, so the Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007 are the same car with a few changes to the badges, but both make their debuts at the Geneva motor show at the start of March.

They share the same 156bhp 2.2 turbodiesel to deliver around 40mpg, and this engine is also able to run on biodiesel fuel, boosting those all-important green credentials.

Peugeot is treating its show car to 20in alloy wheels and a bronzed paint finish, while the interior will be kitted out with black and green leather.

Citroen is being more restrained with its C-Crosser show car, preferring to focus on the vehicle hitting showrooms this summer. Just don't mention the Matra Rancho.