THE newest C4 is an intriguing car – with Citroen taking a distinct strategy to the household hatchback market.
The dominant forces on this sector – notably the Focus and Golf – are tailor-made in direction of efficiency and retain a conventional hatchback look.
Against this, Citroen’s third-generation contender is unashamedly comfort-focussed and clearly seeks to play the crossover card by way of its look.
And the strategy has labored in some ways, with the keenly-priced new C4 being a extra credible providing than its predecessor.
There’s vary of engines to select from, together with petrol, diesel and electrical powertrains.
When it comes to appears, it’s an eye fixed catching and quirky design that stands out in a crowded market.
There’s a novel design to the entrance finish, together with a large entrance grille that extends from one facet to a different, with the chevrons built-in into the center and the lights splitting off on both facet.
Chunky wheels and black cladding across the wheel arches are a nod to SUV admirers, contrasting considerably with the coupe-style roofline.
When you get behind the wheel, it’s clear that Citroen’s engineers have concentrated their efforts on making the automobile comfy versus sporty, taking a distinct path to some key rivals.
Floating, super-soft experience high quality is offered by Progressive Hydraulic Cushion Suspension, which evens out highway imperfections.
That flying carpet impact is definitely stress-free and refined for passengers. The system sees the automobile’s springs and shock absorbers working in tandem with hydraulic compression and rebound stops, thereby slowing physique motion over lumps.
The commerce off comes within the type of the automobile’s dealing with, with the suspension set-up combining with gentle steering to imply a car that doesn’t provide a number of driver engagement or enjoyable.
My take a look at automobile was powered by a 1199cc three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, providing 155bhp.
For my part, it’s a right-sized unit for a automobile on this market, providing a pleasant stability between acceleration and financial system. Certainly, it could possibly obtain the dash from 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds, which feels adequate for many on a regular basis conditions, whereas returning common gas financial system figures of over 40mpg.
In that sense, it’s one other triumph for the PSA Group’s Puretech unit, which has already gained many accolades in recent times.
When you step inside, you’re greeted by a nice inside with loads of tech and plenty of intelligent built-in cupboard space.
A ten-inch digital touchscreen sits excessive on the sprint and appears the half, whereas there’s additionally a digital instrument cluster, with greater spec variations benefitting from a head up show.
Leather-based ‘superior consolation’ seats within the Shine Plus model are very nice, including an additional sprint of refinement on longer journeys. On sure variations, the entrance seats may also be fitted with a therapeutic massage system.
Quite a few softer contact and textured supplies are outstanding within the cabin, that means it doesn’t really feel like the inside has been created on a finances.
The angular roofline doesn’t do an excessive amount of hurt to rear headroom due to the intelligent manner the roof has been sculpted on the within.
Rear passengers profit from spectacular legroom of 198mm.
The boot is sizeable, with 380 litres of area on provide, increasing to 1,250 litres with the seats folded down.
The cabin is well-insulated from highway noise, whereas the inside atmosphere is boosted by soothing lighting and the electrical glass sunroof.
and the glazed surfaces let gentle flood into your entire passenger compartment.
In conclusion, it’s a automobile that provides a novel look, nice consolation ranges and respectable ranges of tech at an inexpensive worth.
Citroen C4 PureTech 155 S&S EAT8 SHINE PLUS
PRICE: £28,490 on the highway
ENGINE: 1199cc 3-cylinder in-line turbocharged petrol
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed Environment friendly Computerized, entrance wheel drive
TOP SPEED: 129mph
ACCELERATION: 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds
ECONOMY: 44.0- 48.8 mpg and 135 – 145g/km
