[Auto] New Citroën C4

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Auto-Moto went to meet the new Citroën C4, on video. What are our first impressions in terms of style and on board?

New Citroën C4 (2020) - Over the past decade, Citroën has struggled to win back the compact sedan market. That is to say that the Chevrons have great hopes in this new generation of C4 which puts its comfort, its offbeat look, and on a new electric variant.

 

Return to the front posts
The 2020 vintage hopes to return to the success of the first generation of C4 appeared in 2004, which sold 2,300,000 copies, while its successor, launched in 2010, found it difficult to convince with only 610,000 models produced until 2018 A defeat that we owe in particular to the internal competition of the C4 Cactus, marketed in 2014. A model with a hazardous positioning which, too, has not managed to impose itself, with only 440,000 copies sold. With this new C4, proof is that Citroën has not lost all hope of success, despite a chaotic management of the segment, the last 10 years.

A safer C4
Like the C4 Cactus, the new C4 remains faithful to the silhouette of an elevated sedan, to distinguish itself from its cousin Peugeot 308, or even the Golf. But it takes care to turn its back on the low cost positioning of the Cactus, while growing dramatically. It now extends over 4.36 m to match its size to that of the largest in the category, such as the Renault Mégane. If its flag drop and its third side window pay homage to a certain GS, 50 years later, the Citroën C4 looks to the future. To the softness of the curves adopted by recent Citroën productions it adds more chiseled lines to energize the whole. The rounded curves give way to more marked angles on a bow which generally draws its inspiration from the CXperience concept car of 2016. The sides are also more worked than usual, on the body side, while the Airbump protections simplify their graphics . But it is ultimately the stern that is the most spectacular, failing to show elegance. If the nod to the C4 coupe from the 2000s is obvious, we are perplexed by this messy stacking mixing the bequet with the side lights. This is perhaps the only false note in terms of design.

 

 

Serious on board
If the originality prevails outside, the new C4 calms the game on board. We feel that it wants to reassure compared to the C4 Cactus which was more slender. The design focuses more on the elegance of the lines, and the finish goes upmarket without resorting to luxurious materials. It seems that Citroën has finally found the right mix to offer a rewarding interior at a lower cost. But the most important thing with this C4 is more than ever the comfort it provides to its passengers.

 

The comfort asset
The Chevrons remain faithful to the Citroën Advanced Comfort program, which includes large, very soft, but high-density armchairs to avoid the effect of compaction on long journeys. These seats can be adjusted electrically and benefit from a heating and massage system. According to the official speech, the acoustics have been particularly neat, especially in terms of the insulation of the engine block, but unfortunately the laminated windows are missing, unlike the C5 Aircross.

 

Halftone habitability
The new C4 is making up for it by adopting the famous suspensions with progressive hydraulic stops which have proven themselves on the rest of the range to ensure a filtering quality far superior to the competition, without the need to resort to costly piloted damping. The interior also contributes to passenger comfort, especially in the rear seats, thanks to its generous wheelbase of 2.67 m which gives the C4 the best rating in the segment at the knees. Unfortunately, by communicating mud effect, the trunk only displays a volume of 380 l. It’s disappointing compared to a Peugeot 308 that swallows 420 l, despite its smaller size. Citroën clearly favored the space dedicated to the occupants.

 

 

Some technical oversights
In terms of embedded technology, the new C4 is almost full. If an elegant 10 ”touch pad sits at the top of the dashboard, its navigation information is not relayed by the color screen behind the steering wheel. You will have to settle for a head-up display placed just above. A good point, however, is to be given to the induction charging of the Smartphone, with easy access. We also appreciate the use of two types of connection: USB C for the most modern devices and USB A for the oldest, to keep everyone happy, both in the front and in the back. Like the C3 and C5 Aircross, the C4 has a camera connected to the base of the interior mirror, to take photos or videos in HD. It films the route continuously and automatically saves the recordings in the event of an accident. In the register of tips, a retractable support hides in front of the front passenger to accommodate any type of touch pad. Finally, the new C4 is the first model in the PSA group to do without a gear lever for its variants with automatic transmission. It is replaced by a more discreet control, which allows to lighten