Citroën will start producing the new C4 after the summer at its Madrid plant. The car, which will be made exclusively in Spain for everyone within a project that has involved the investment of 144 million euros, will take over from the C4 Cactus, a car with a breakthrough design - one that was liked or hated - and of which more than 440,000 units have been registered so far.

It represents the tenth installment of the brand in this type of car, a saga that began 92 years ago with the first C4 of 1928 and that has had such emblematic exponents as the Ami 6 and Ami 8, GS and GSA, BX, ZX, Xsara, C4 (generations 2004 and 2010) and the already mentioned C4 Cactus. Of all of them, more than 12.5 million cars have been sold worldwide.

The brand insists that the new model represents a return to the compact cars of a lifetime (Peugeot 308, Renault Mégane, Ford Focus or the old C4 to name a few cases), but with a different design. Actually, it is what other brands define as a 'crossover' as it happens for example with the Kia XCeed if we compare it with the Ceed.

And that in the case of the French model is more than justified when we appreciate its elevated body -the ground clearance is 15.6 cm-, the plastic protections (airbumps included) that completely surround it or the large wheels, since that the majority of the versions (except the access models to the range) will have an 18-inch rim. In addition, its designers claim that the elevated driving position (the driver's head is 1.22 meters high) is another of its virtues.

A car with more presence

Let's call it whatever, the truth is that, naturally, the new model has much more packaging than the C4 Cactus. Its measurements give it away: 4.36 meters long, 1.80 wide and 1.52 high.

The front evolves the style of the latest models of the house, with the front lighting placed in two heights. Lagging behind, with a coupe-like roof drop and split rear window by the rear wing, is much more distinctive. In it, winks to old models of the brand, case of the GS, and others reminiscent of modern passenger cars such as the Toyota CH-R or the Honda Civic. Even to some Audi.

Behind the scenes, the first thing we observe is the radical change in style and the use of better quality materials to coat the interior. The multifunction steering wheel has solidarity cams for the automatic versions, but the protagonism corresponds to the large touch screen placed on top of the dashboard, 10 inches in diameter. Under it and with good judgment, the air conditioning controls appear, always more cumbersome to manage from a screen (although it can also be done). On the other hand, the instrument panel, also digital, seems ridiculous due to its size. In the brand they tell us that it is so because it is complemented by the head up display that projects information on a sheet placed in front of the visor, but not all versions will carry it ...

Spacious interior, average boot space

By taking the wheels at the ends, the wheelbase reaches 2.67 meters long, which makes it possible to have a large legroom for all occupants, who access it comfortably thanks to the wide opening angle of the doors. It is also generous in width and in terms of height for the heads, only those who loosely exceed 1.80 meters will be a little fair. And the occupant of the rear central plaza is uncomfortable with a bulky transmission tunnel (although there are no 4x4 versions and the car is front-wheel drive).

The front seats are the second generation of the so-called Advance Comfort seats, designed to be more comfortable, hold the body better and tire less on trips. We will have to wait to test the car thoroughly. Those of previous models were, above all, very comfortable.

The Advance Comfort program also includes so-called progressive hydraulic shock absorbers. It is a much cheaper and simpler system (also less effective) than the famous hydro-pneumatic suspension famous in models such as the DS, CX or GS, which works in two ways: at low speed or on small bumps, it controls the movements of the body to give it a flying carpet feel. And when the car is very demanding or we go through a big bump, the system limits the rebounds of the set when the suspensions are at or near the top. Both the Advance Comfort seats and suspension will be available from the intermediate versions of the range.

A support to place the tablet

In addition, and as a first in this model, the Smart Pad Support Citroën is introduced, a support placed on the dashboard in front of the passenger and that allows it to anchor a tablet from any manufacturer. When not in use, the device can be stored in a specific drawer and the new C4 is in fact very well equipped in this regard: it has up to 16 holes to leave objects that add up to 39 liters of capacity.

Already for luggage, we have a 380-liter capacity boot, with a very open loading mouth and placed 72 cm from the ground. The floor can be placed in two heights. In the upper one, it makes it flush with the rear seat backs when they are folded down (in a 60/40 ratio) and creates a double bottom that is lost in the case of the electric version to leave the recharge cables.

In fact, being based on the CMP platform of the PSA Group, the new Citroën C4 can be ordered with both combustion and 100% battery-powered versions. It is something that already happens with other cars of the French group built on that basis, case of the Peugeot 208 and 2008, Opel Corsa or DS3 Crossback. Specifically, the offer includes five versions of gasoline with powers from 100 to 155 horses, diesel of 110 and 130 and the electric of 136 horses. The change can be manual from six gears, automatic from eight to automatic from one in the case of the battery C4. In no case does the brand consider the possibility of installing the Grip Control system that improves traction on firm roads or on the ground.

Up to 350 km of zero emissions range

The star of the range is the ë-C4, the name chosen for the purely electric variant. It has a 50 kWh battery that, thanks to the good aerodynamics of the car, extends the autonomy between recharges up to 350 km. For this, it is also essential to resort to program B of the gear change, specific to this model and which increases the capacity to regenerate energy when decelerating or braking. The latter we will do much less than normal since, in that mode, it is almost enough to lift your foot from the accelerator so that the vehicle slows down significantly. As for the combustion versions (all with C label, none with the ECO as there are no hybridization possibilities) these only have, if applicable, the three-mode selector.

Once the electric battery is exhausted, the recharging times in a household outlet range from 7.5 hours (in the case of a 32 V socket) to 24 hours (a standard connection). If we go to a 100 kw fast charging pole, in half an hour we will have recovered 80% of its capacity.

Numerous support and connectivity systems

The prices of the new Citroen C4, which will start selling later this year in Spain, are not defined. Neither the equipment, although it is known that the customer will be able to choose between 31 color combinations for the exterior and five environments for the interior. There will also be heated and massaged seats, panoramic electric roof, heated windscreen and steering wheel, interior LED lighting, high-fidelity sound equipment and numerous security assistants (20, including a semi-automatic pilot) and connectivity (six, between They have a camera that records continuously and can be very useful in the event of an accident.)

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