The Citroën C4 is a small family car produced by French automaker Citroën since autumn 2004. The C4 was designed to be the successor to the Citroën Xsara.

It is mechanically similar to the Peugeot 308, which was launched in 2007.

A revised version with new front end and dashboard revisions will go on sale in 2008/09.

Versions

Three-door coupé and five-door hatchback are the available body styles, with petrol or diesel engines.

A sedan version is also marketed in certain markets. In China, a sedan version is locally built and sold as the Citroën C-Triomphe and is four-door sedan with a separate trunk. The sedan version is also manufactured in Argentina, where it is sold alongside the three-door version. The sedan is sold in Brazil and Hungary as the C4 Pallas, and will be exported to Spain, where it will be sold as the C4 Berline.

A seven-seater compact MPV version, the Grand C4 Picasso, was introduced in 2006, while a five-seater called the C4 Picasso was introduced in 2007.

Alternative propulsion

Citroën C4 BioFlex is a bioethanol flexible fuel vehicle.

Overview

The motoring press has described it as a return to the more bold and unconventional design approach for which Citroën was famed before the 1990s, when Citroën designs became much more conservative (ZX, Saxo). The distinctive exterior styling of the C4 is the work of Donato Coco. The current C4 is not the first Citroën to bear this designation; Citroën previously produced a C4 in 1928. The quirky rear-end styling of the three-door C4 brought back many memories of the 1995 Mazda 323 F three-door.

Technology

A major selling-point of the C4 is its extensive use of technology. For example, the car features the "Lane Departure Warning System" (only in the top-of-the-range "Exclusive" model), which alerts the driver if he or she crosses a road marking without using the turn signals; directional headlights; perfume dispenser integrated into the ventilation system; translucent dashboard, transparent glass roof; ESP (Electronic Stability Program), and a fixed steering wheel hub which lets the driver operate several functions of the car without removing his or her hands from the wheel. The fixed hub also allows for the first production use of a "shaped" driver airbag. Because the hub maintains a constant position, the airbag can be optimally shaped to spread the load across the greatest possible area of the driver's body in a collision, thus reducing the chances of serious injury. In addition, the car features an innovative centrally mounted translucent LCD speedometer display that remains clearly visible in all lighting conditions.

Surprisingly, given the emphasis put on technology, the car's In-Car Entertainment, while well integrated into the car's information system via CAN Bus, is not DAB ready. MP3 playback is supported by the entry level audio system and high-end audio with double layer sound insulated windows and integrated navigation system is available as extra. In September 2007, a USB box accessory (Ref: 9702.EZ) was released to enable full iPod connectivity with the standard RD4 radio.

The C4 does not feature Citroën's hydraulic suspension, it is reserved for higher class models, such as the C5 and C6. The Picasso version can get a pneumatic rear suspension.

Underneath, the C4 uses an identical mechanical design to the contemporary Peugeot 307. Interestingly, its underpinnings date back to the 1991 Citroen ZX, although it is a huge leap forward over that and the Xsara that was produced between the ZX's demise and the C4's launch.

Recalls

Citroën has several recalls out for the C4, including an ABS recall on the C4 Hatch and Coupe (which also affects many other cars from the Peugeot Citroën Group). Essentially, the recall involves removing the ABS/ESP ECU and checking for water ingress.

Full details of any recalls can be found at C4owners.org

Engines

• 1.4 L (1360 cc) ET3 I4, 90 PS (89 hp/66 kW) and 90 ft·lbf (122 N·m)
• 1.6 L (1587 cc) TU5 I4, 108 PS (107 hp/79 kW) and 110 ft·lbf (149 N·m)

also available (from 09/2007 onwards) is a version called 1,6 BioFlex that can as well run on ethanol E85.

• 1.6 L (1560 cc) DV6 HDi diesel I4, 92–110 PS (91–108 hp/68–81 kW) and 159–177 ft·lbf (216–240 N·m)
• 2.0 L (1997 cc) EW10 16-valve I4, 138 PS (136 hp/101 kW) and 140 ft·lbf (190 N·m)
• 2.0 L (1997 cc) EW10 S 16-valve I4, 177 PS (174 hp/130 kW)
• 2.0 L (1997 cc) DW10 HDi diesel I4, 138 PS (136 hp/101 kW) and 236 ft·lbf (320 N·m)

Advertising

The car's advanced technology was the focus of a well-known television advertising campaign showing the car transforming into a giant dancing robot, accompanied by the song "Jacques Your Body (Make Me Sweat)" by Les Rythmes Digitales. At the end of the sequence, the robot transforms back into a car, over the slogan "Alive With Technology." The dance moves were based on the concept of a Transformers break dance routine, developed from moves recorded by the agents from Justin Timberlake's choreographer Marty Kudelka. The advertisement was produced by a music group from Canada, and the scenery was in downtown Vancouver, yet the car is not available in North America. The entire sequence and scenery were digitally created; Apple's Shake program was used for the visual effects.

The follow-up ad features a similar transformer robot ice-skating at high speed across a frozen lake, dodging around obstacles and executing a hockey stop in front of a group of engineers before transforming back into a car. It features the song "Walking Away (Tocadisco Remix)" by The Egg.

These two TV ads are available for viewing or downloading from the UK Citroën C4 website

The ad currently broadcasting shows a third transformer robot sprinting along a road, changing to car form and back to robot form during the run. It is not on the Citroën C4 website yet.

Another ad featuring yet another transforming robot is currently being aired in Europe, for the revamped C4. The robot struts through town showing off, accompanied by a modified version of the song Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees.

A parody of the advertisement features a Citroën 2CV attempting to transform in the same manner, and falling apart quite spectacularly in the process. The parody features the slogan "Zero Technology," a reference to the 2CV's infamously spartan design.

In July 2007, filming began in São Paulo (Brazil) for a commercial for South America, starring North American actor Kiefer Sutherland and Argentine actress Araceli González. One month early, a controversial advertisement announcing the collision of an asteroid with planet Earth, giving the impression of real news, was used in Brazil to promote the release of C4 Pallas, and there is an asteroid named 2 Pallas.

C4 in rallying

A much-anticipated C4 World Rally Car, intended to replace the multiple World Rally Championship-winning Citroën Xsara WRC, was first sighted in 2004 with testing duties assigned to double world rally champion Carlos Sainz. Having once been earmarked for a late 2005 competitive debut, the decision by the controlling PSA Group to withdraw both Citroën and stablemates Peugeot from works participation at the end of the 2005 season led to the momentary abandonment of the project.

Since then, however, the marque etched in a comeback for the 2007 season during which a revived C4 WRC was scheduled for its official debut, with three times world champion Sébastien Loeb as the official first driver, and Daniel Sordo, the 2005 Junior World Rally Champion, later confirmed alongside him after an impressive 2006 season for the Spaniard. In its official debut, at the 2007 Monte Carlo Rally, the two C4 WRCs finished 1-2, with Loeb winning ahead of Sordo. Loeb subsequently secured the 2007 driver's title.

Citroen have also recently unveiled a hybrid concept WRC car at the Paris Motorshow. The Citroen C4 WRC Hymotion4 uses a KERS system similar to that in the Peugeot 908 HY

Awards

The C4 won the 2006 World Car Design of the Year.

Model car releases

The C4 Coupe has been produced by Majorette, Norev and Solido whereas the Hatchback has only been produced by Norev.

References

External links

• C4 at Citroënët
• C4 5 doors page in France
• C4 UK microsite
• C4 Crash Test
• C4 links Citroën World
• Citroën C4 Owners Club Website