Citroën C4

Citroën C4
The Citroën C4 is a small family car/compact car (also classified as a compact crossover SUV since 2020) produced under their Citroën marque, from the French automaker PSA Group, and later Stellantis. It was positioned to be the successor to the Citroën Xsara. The first generation production started in September 2004.
In June 2020, the third-generation C4 was released in a form of coupe SUV, abandoning the traditional C-segment hatchback/saloon body style.
First generation (2004)
Debut
To cope with the market, Citroën was dedicated and committed to building a new model that would appeal to many customers. At the Geneva Motor Show in 2004, a concept from the Citroën line's definitive made-bodied coupé revealed the willingness of the French company to employ it in competition. The car was finally unveiled at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, after being officially launched to retail on September 2, 2004. However, that version was a more domesticated hatchback coupé or five-door.
Design
The C4's design was created by a team that included Donato Coco, Jean Pierre Ploué and Bertrand Rapatel. Building on the floor of its cousin, the Peugeot 307, the C4 was immediately made available in two body variants: five-door hatchback and three-door coupé. The front is common to both versions, with the grille formed from virtual extensions of the central crest. The saloon is much more rounded and features softer shapes, so they can boast a Cd of just 0.28, while the coupe is more angular, with a rear split into two parts, including lights.
The rear window of the coupé is reminiscent of the older Honda CR-X from the early 1990s, as well as the last three-door Mazda 323C. These two versions of the C4 Picasso are more detached, taking over the grille of the saloon and coupe, but the cut of the headlamps are different, aesthetically combining corners and curves. The rear lights incorporate the design as in those of the saloon but were adapted to the different shape of the body. Internally, the dashboard features a central instrument panel that centralizes all heating and cooling controls, audio, and a satellite navigation screen. The instrument panel contains digital and analog displays of the speedometer, petrol levels, and other gauges. Lighting can be customized to change color from white to blue.
The revolution, however, is placed in canonical position, behind the wheel. The latter is multifunctional and characterized by having a fixed hub. The cabin is equipped with numerous storage compartments and the luggage compartment is regular in shape, with a capacity of 352 liters, increasing to 1,200 after lowering the rear seat backrest. The load threshold is quite high, hitting loads of heavy objects. There are laminated side windows and exterior mirrors, with a casing specially designed to prevent wind noise and improve the comfort inside.
The saloon version is manufactured in Argentina, where it is sold alongside the five-door and the imported three-door version. The C4 Saloon is exported from there to Brazil and Hungary as the C4 Pallas and to Spain, Turkey, and Greece as the C4 Sedan. A longer four-door saloon version with a different rear end is also built and sold in China as the Citroën C-Triomphe. A panel van based on the coupé bodyshell is available in some markets, including Ireland.
Technology
A major selling point of the C4 was 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; electronic stability program (ESP), and a fixed steering wheel hub, which lets the driver operate several functions of the car without removing their 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.
The car's in-car entertainment, integrated into the car's information system via VAN bus, is not Digital audio broadcasting (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 available as extras. 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 Hydractive suspension, which is reserved for higher class models, such as the C5 and C6. The Picasso version can feature a pneumatic rear suspension. The C4 breaks with the past on other fronts, in particular by removing the rear autodirezionale solution, used up to that time on the Xsara and ZX. The suspension is the usual type MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs, while the rear has interconnected wheels with torsion beam and torsion bars. The braking system includes ventilated discs on the front, and rear solid discs with ABS and ESP (not standard versions with basic fittings). The steering is rack and pinion with electro-hydraulic power steering.
2008 facelift
At the 2008 Moscow International Automobile Salon, Citroën presented a facelifted Citroën C4. Both hatchback and coupé were subject to a slight cosmetic makeover that involved the front end, which now sported a "mouth" and larger trapezoid shape. The grille was redesigned, making it slightly curved. There were also minor updates in the queue. The redesign led to a slight lengthening of the car body, and was the occasion for more news: from the mechanical point of view was the arrival of the 1.6 Prince, with variable valve timing and aspiration, and turbocharged and direct injection, already mounted on the Peugeot 207 and 308, as well as the Mini. Ride comfort was improved, and the more simplified saloon and the coupe were offered for the same price. In addition, the diesel versions were available with Airdream pack, which allowed for slightly reduced emissions and consumption.
C-Triomphe / C4 Pallas / C4 Sedan
The saloon version was introduced as the Citroën C-Triomphe, a mid-size saloon automobile produced from April 2006 for the Chinese market by Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile, a joint venture between the French PSA Group (Peugeot-Citroën) and the Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng.
This new model range was designed to supplement other Chinese models, such as the Fukang and the Elysée, rather than being a direct replacement.
In April 2007, Citroën announced that the four-door C4 would be built in Argentina. The Argentinian and Brazilian versions are sold as the C4 Pallas and C4 Sedan in some South American and European markets.
The car is a notchback saloon version of the European C4 model, since the Chinese market prefers traditional three-box saloons over hatchbacks. It did not keep the designation, however, because in Chinese, the number "4" is unlucky. The saloon is much larger than the hatchback: its length is over the hatchback's and its wheelbase measures against of the hatchback. This caused the C-Triomphe saloon to be classified in the large family car class. The C-Triomphe has a number of unique features, such as an integrated air freshener, which allows the driver to choose the scent of the interior.
C-Quatre
In 2009, in China, the C-Triomphe was accompanied by the Citroën C-Quatrè, a smaller (length , wheelbase ), cheaper, and more fashionably styled saloon version of the C4. A hatchback C-Quatre was also manufactured et sold locally. Late 2011, the hatchback got an offroad-looked variant called C4 Cross. In 2012, Citroën unveiled a new facelift version of the whole C-Quatre range at the Shanghai Motor Show.
C4 saloon (BZ3; 2015)
In China, a saloon version simply called Citroën C4 (or by its full name, Dongfeng Citroën C4 Sega, sometimes transcribed C4 Shijia) was available from 2015 to 2019. The Citroen C4 was based on the original Citroen C-Quatre (which it quickly replaced), with the same old platforms and the same wheelbase, and both cars also share the 1.6-liter base engine. Unlike the C-Quatre, the C4 was a failure in China, with 102,597 vehicles manufactured during its whole career. More 4-door C-Quatre were sold during the year 2012 alone.
Picasso version
The C4 Picasso is the MPV version of the C4 range. It has been made available since 2006 in two versions: 5-seater C4 Picasso and 7-seater C4 Grand Picasso. The C4 Picasso received a facelift in 2010, with updated engine, headlights, and mechanics. The engine range is composed largely of the same version of the engine as used on the hatchback and coupé, plus the petrol 1.8, and was also available in bi-fuel (natural gas or LPG) in many markets.
Advertising
The car's advanced technology was the focus of a well-known television advertising campaign showing the car transforming into a giant dancing Transformer, 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. Although the advertisement was produced by a music group from Canada, and the scenery was downtown Vancouver, the car is not available in North America. The entire sequence and scenery were digitally created. Apple Shake was used to digitally generate visual effects. This commercial has since been credited to District 9 director Neill Blomkamp.
The follow-up ad featured 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 featured the song "Walking Away (Tocadisco Remix)" by The Egg.
The third ad broadcasting shows a third transformer robot sprinting along a road, changing to car form and back to robot form during the run. It features the song "Hungarian Dances" by Brahms. It is not on the Citroën C4 website.
The fourth ad featuring yet another transforming robot is being aired in Europe for the revamped C4. The robot struts through town showing off, accompanied by a cover version of the Bee Gees song "Stayin' Alive" by MC Lita.
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, given the appearance of real news, was used in Brazil to promote the release of C4 Pallas, and there is an asteroid named 2 Pallas.
A video game titled Citroën C4 Robot was developed by Istanbul-based developer 2GEN Studio and released on April 21, 2008. It is a free racing advergame in which the player can either create an account and try to beat another player's record or can play offline.
Engines
Second generation (B7; 2010)
Debut
The second-generation Citroën C4 made its debut at the 2010 Paris Salon before it was launched in September. After its launch, it debuted at the Paris Motor Show in October 2010 and went on sale in Europe under the Citroën brand one month later. The new model was slightly bigger than the last and was only available with five doors. A three-door version was omitted by the French company because of the low sales of the previous generation three-door, and to avoid the risk of cannibalizing the DS3 sales. The derived first-generation DS4 (B75) was offered as a more stylish and luxurious alternative.
Design
Compared to the outgoing model, the average new design of the French line is less eccentric. In general, the lines are less rounded, the front is characterized by large clusters with aggressive design "cut" on the top and a "step" on the underside. Clearly visible in the front grille is the Citroën, formed by extensions of the central logo. The engine hood is made more aggressive by two longitudinal ribs, while the bumper, which is also aggressive, has a rather large mouth, flanked by two air intakes and two slots for the fog lights.
The side view shows two longitudinal ribs, one just above the line of door handles and the other at the bottom. The tail is characterized by clusters that penetrate partially into the side and partly in the boot lid. The large bumper appears massive from the rearview but at the same time, it raises the threshold for overload. The dashboard of the second C4 series is characterized by blue-lit instrumentation in different shades, combining analog and digital technology. The dashboard, with the now ever-present display, is also modern in styling, and has some ribs, especially at the top, which complement the external lines of the bodywork. The steering wheel doesn't have a fixed hub like the first generation. The seats have a sporty design, with padded side panels, but offer little lateral support. The sofa is divisible according to the now familiar pattern 60–40, but it is not tilting. The luggage compartment offers up to 408 liters for the standard, expandable up to 1,183, by lowering the rear seat backrest.
The second-generation C4 received a facelift in 2015. The hatchback stayed in production until early 2018.
Engines
The second series of C4 is provided with specific tires with low rolling resistance, and out of the 200 kg of polymer used in each sample, about 30 are environmentally friendly.
The structure of the Mk2 C4, and C4-II, is derived from that of the first series: even the wheelbase was unchanged, but there are some new features in this case. To make the car more comfortable, suspension geometry was slightly modified, and new bushes are used, albeit still MacPherson struts in front and torsion beam at the rear. The brakes are disc all around, the front ones being ventilated, with ABS and ESP standard across the range. The rack and pinion steering with electro-hydraulic power steering is carried over from the previous C4. The engine range includes three petrol and four diesel engines:
1.4 VTi: 1397 cc,
1.6 VTi: 1598 cc,
1.6 THP: 1598 cc, turbo,
1.6 HDi: 1560 cc,
1.6 HDi 16v: 1560 cc,
1.6 e-HDi 16v: 1560 cc, with Start & Stop
2.0 HDi 16v: 1997 cc,
The e-HDi engine, which debuted on the C4 (and simultaneously on the C4 Picasso based on the first series), is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, as well as the 1.6 engine THP. The other engines are available with a manual 5-speed (1.4 VTi, 1.6 VTi and 1.6 HDi 92 hp) or 6-speed (1.6 HDi112 hp and 2.0 HDi). The 1.6 VTi is also available with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
C4L, C4 Lounge and C4 Sedan (B73; 2012)
At the end of 2012, Citroën unveiled the saloon version called "C4L". The saloon version was designed by the new PSA Style Centre in Shanghai. It is produced for the Chinese market in the Wuhan plant, and for the Russian market in the Kaluga plant.
The platform is the same as the C4 hatchback, with the wheelbase increased by . The engine range was composed of the 1.6 VTI Prince THP from , and the new 1.8 VTI with only for the Chinese market. All models are equipped with stop-start system.
The C4 saloon is manufactured in El Palomar, Argentina, and was planned for launch in the Latin American market in late 2013. In 2013, it contained 62% of regionally-made parts.
The name of the vehicle is C4L in China, C4 Lounge in South America and C4 Sedan in Russia.
It was facelifted in 2016 for China and Russia, and in 2017 for South America. The design of the three versions has been standardized on the occasion of this facelift.
In 2019, the Chinese model received a new interior.
In China, the C4L was discontinued in 2020. The C4 Lounge was also discontinued in Brazil late 2020, but stayed manufactured in Argentina to sold in local market until 2021. The Russian market C4 Sedan was assembled up to 2022.
Third generation (C41; 2020)
The third-generation C4 (C41) was revealed on 16 June 2020 with a coupe SUV styling. The interior receives a significant upgrade, as there are more upmarket materials and a larger, wider touchscreen. The new C4 and ë-C4 are larger and based on an all-new EMP1 platform shared the DS 3 Crossback, Opel Mokka, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 2008 and Peugeot 208.
A four-door fastback saloon version called the C4 X was unveiled in June 2022.
Safety
Euro NCAP
The C4 in its standard European configuration received 4 stars from Euro NCAP in 2021.
ë-C4
The electric drive version, named the ë-C4, features a electric motor and a 50 kWh battery, capable of of range under the WLTP test.
C4 X and ë-C4 X (C43; 2022)
A longer variation of the C4 with a saloon body style, called the C4 X, was unveiled in June 2022. It is the first Citroën to be designed under Pierre Leclercq supervision. According to Citroën, the C4 X merges the elements of a fastback, a 4-door saloon and an SUV.
The C4 and the C4 X have the same wheelbase. Using the traditional saloon-style boot opening, the cargo capacity has been increased from in the C4 to in the C4 X.
An electric version, called ë-C4 X, is also available. It is the only version offered in many countries (UK, Benelux, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Nordic countries) where the ICE C4 X is not sold. However, due to customer demand the ICE C4 X was made available in the UK in June 2023
Other versions
C4 Aircross (2012–2017)
The Citroën C4 Aircross is a compact SUV based on the Mitsubishi ASX and the Peugeot 4008. It was featured at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. A four-wheel drive version of the Aircross is also available.
C4 Cactus (2014–present)
The C4 Cactus is a subcompact crossover produced in PSA's Villaverde factory in Madrid, Spain since the first quarter of 2014. Sales commenced in France in June 2014. Although branded as the C4 Cactus, it is based on the smaller PF1 platform that underpins the C3 and the DS 3. In Europe, it was succeeded by the third generation C4, dropping the "Cactus" suffix.
Sales and production
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 the then-thrice world champion Sébastien Loeb as the official first driver, and Dani Sordo, the 2005 Junior World Rally Champion, later confirmed alongside him after an impressive 2006 season for the Spaniard. In their official debut at the 2007 Monte Carlo Rally, the two C4 WRCs finished 1–2, with Loeb winning ahead of Sordo. Loeb has subsequently secured the 2007, 2008, and 2009 drivers' titles, with Citroën claiming the 2008 and 2009 manufacturers' championships.
In the 2009 season, Citroën's satellite team, Citroën Junior Team, ran a C4 WRC for Evgeny Novikov, Conrad Rautenbach, and the 2008 junior world champion Sébastien Ogier. For the 2010 season, the team ran a C4 WRC for Ogier and the Formula One world champion Kimi Räikkönen. The 2003 world rally champion Petter Solberg competes in a C4 WRC for his private team. The C4 WRC was replaced by the DS3 WRC for the 2011 WRC season.
Citroën also unveiled a hybrid concept WRC car at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The Citroën C4 WRC Hymotion4 uses a KERS system similar to that in the Peugeot 908 HY.
Awards
The first generation C4 scored second place at the 2005 European Car of the Year awards. It won the 2006 World Car Design of the Year, as well as the Autosport Rally Car of the Year in 2010
The second generation C4 (from 2010 onwards) was awarded a Euro NCAP Advanced Award for its eTouch Emergency & Assistance System.
In 2023, the Citroën ë-C4 won the category of the 'Best Used Small Electric Car' at the Carbuyer Best Used Car Awards.
Model car releases
The C4 Coupe has been produced by Majorette, Norev, and Solido, and the hatchback has been produced by Norev, and NewRay. The Citroën C4 WRC has been produced by Hot Wheels.
Notes
References
External links
Citroën C4 (UK website)
C4 at Citroënët
C4
Cars introduced in 2004
2010s cars
2020s cars
Hatchbacks
Sedans
Compact sport utility vehicles
Crossover sport utility vehicles
Front-wheel-drive vehicles
Production electric cars
Rally cars
Cars of China
Cars of Argentina
Euro NCAP small family cars