8 February 2011
"Alive with technology" boasts Citroen's sales pitch for the newest addition to the French manufacturer's model range, the C4.
One could argue it's a shrewdly confident marketing tagline, especially from a brand more often renowned for quirky design. Pleasing to note then, that during our evaluation the C4 in addition to being a great looking and stylish motorcar, is indeed packed with technology.
Styling-wise, the curved visage of the C4 is fairly minimalist. The Citroen, double chevron emblem adorns the front, in lieu of a conventional grill. Boomerang shaped headlamps extend rearward half the length of the bonnet creating a streamlined, flowing presence. It's uncluttered and unoffensive.
The roofline arcs elegantly over the car into a contemporary, rounded rear end that incorporates the slender tail lamps that extend high up the rear profile. Big 17-inch alloy wheels with grippy Michelin tyres add a sporty look to the higher spec 2.0 litre variants; 16-inch steel rims come on the entry-level 1.6 litre offerings. Interior appointments are well set out and practical to use.
The interior is also where some of those technological revolutions start to become apparent. Not least of which is the large pod-like instrumentation display mounted centrally on top of the dash. Sensitive to ambient light, the digital display is clearly readable in all conditions. The similarly luminous, digital tachometer is mounted on the steering column therefore no instrumentation is ever masked due to steering column adjustment.
Quirky design? Maybe, but we never grew tired of the interior during our weeklong test
Possibly the most important innovation in the Citroen is the remarkable "Fixed-centred Controls" steering wheel, which, thanks to an ingenious use of planetary gearing, rotates independently of the centre hub.It also makes locating steering wheel controls more logical, and that's important, because that centre hub incorporates no less than 16 buttons and 4 jog control type dials.
From these you can set or adjust nearly everything imaginable, cruise control, radio, and vehicle preference settings, even climate controls can all be accessed and altered from the wheel.
As impressive this feature is, technophobes may find it complicated and it does take time to become fully familiar. Traditional cruise control is accompanied by a speed limiter function, once activated the limiter will not let you - even with a full throttle - exceed the set speed. When the time comes to return to highway speed depressing the pedal slightly beyond it's normal travel trips a switch to deactivate the limiter function.
Another clever piece of electronic trickery is the C4's directional headlamps.
By monitoring steering angles the Citroen is able to swivel the bi-xenon headlamps up to 15 degrees. Split level climate control, photo chromatic rear view mirror, parking assistance sensors, electronic stability program, A.B.S, passive arming security system, rain sensitive wipers and guide me home head-lighting are also on offer in the 2.0HDi
The seats in the C4 are comfortable and offer ample lateral support. The lack of electronic seat controls were missed in the otherwise technology packed Citroen, particularly as the manual adjustments were not as fine as some may require. On the open road the 2.0 litre, 100kW HDi engine is impressive.
After 2000 rpm when maximum torque (320Nm) is produced, the Citroen takes off and proves to be a vivacious and fun powerhouse to drive. Around town, correct gear selection of the 6-speed manual transmission is imperative for best acceleration through round a bouts and uphills. Minor niggles, but we noted some engine vibrations reverberated through the clutch pedal, and the pedals were more closely spaced than competitor vehicles. On the open road however the C4 really shined, the pedal vibration became a non-issue at cruising speed
Keeping the engine in optimum torque range was easy and the combination of the engine, suspension and steering enabled effortless and fluid navigation of bends. Rear passengers are treated to plentiful legroom, curtain airbags and a lap-sash centre belt. 60/40 split-folding rear seats are standard in all C4 models and when folded a generous storage compartment becomes available.
The seats don't fold to a flat floor, but a clever foldaway partitioning system is an appreciated feature. With an amalgam of style, drivability, technology and comfort we feel the C4 2.0 HDi is an excellent vehicle all round that offers an equipment level second to none in its class, for a price that is closely comparable to rivals.
Citroen C4 2.0 HDi 2007 facelift
Since our first drive of the C4 back in 2005, a few changes have taken place. Good news too, as all these changes have made the C4 a much more attractive package than ever before.
The C4 now boasts a new, and more attractive $31,990 entry price and now a 2.0 HDi with an automatic gearbox.
Familiarising ourselves with the C4 again was a joy, we were impressed the vehicle continues to be a class leader in many areas, two years after its launch.
Past criticisms of French automatics being unresponsive and erratic do not ring true with this transmission.
The new automatic lends itself to the 2.0 litre HDi motor well, offering smooth shifting through all six of its ratios. Only a handful of vehicles at this end of the market receive a six-speed transmission, so coupled with the superb diesel power unit the C4's drive train returns better fuel economy than most auto rivals.
We achieved 7.1 L/100km average consumption during our time with the vehicle. On the road, drivability was excellent. Matching the gears was important to maintain ideal acceleration in the manual, not so the auto. The internal workings of the transmission absorb some of the diesel engine's surging torque, which makes for smoother more relaxed p performance. 0-100 km/h comes in less 10 seconds, which should offer more than enough zip for most demographics.
Considering the $41,990 retail price, this C4 HDi automatic makes for great buying, particularly if you're in the market for an alternative to the typical dross that blends into the traffic. The well-composed suspension and chassis remain, along with the five-star NCAP safety, excellent specification, value for money and prestige brand perception.