Citroën C4

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, reverse light and dashboard revisions was launched for the 2008/09 model year. In January 2010 it was announced that the Coupe version was to be discontinued in favour of the new Citroën DS4. The C4 came in 2nd place in the 2005 European Car of the Year awards.

First generation (2004–present)

Debut

To cope with this difficult part of the market, the Citroen is greatly committed to building a new model that would capture the interest of a large chunk of customers: the Geneva Motor Show in 2004 was presented the C4 Sport, a concept from the lines definitive made​​-bodied coupe and prefigured among other things, the willingness of the French company to employ it in competition. The car was finally unveiled at the Paris however, both as a coupe, both as a hatchback and 5 door.

Design

Designed by a team that included among others Donato Coco and Jean Pierre Ploué, the C4 was indicated by the press as the car that marked a distinct return to a style French company from the pack. Building on the floor of her cousin, the Peugeot 307, the C4 was immediately made available in two body variants: hatchback 5-door hatchback and coupe three-door. The front is common to both versions, with the grille formed from virtually extensions of the central crest. The most characteristic is the area instead of the pavilion: the sedan is much more rounded and soft shapes, so they can boast a Cd of just 0.28, while the coupe is decidedly angular, with a rear split into two parts and lights back.

The rear window of the coupe version, decidedly unconventional, reminiscent of the old Honda CRX start of the nineties and the last three-door Mazda 323 C BA. From these two versions of the C4 Picasso is more detached, taking over the grille of the sedan and coupe, but the cut of the headlamps is different, always a mix of corners and curves. Instead, the rear lights incorporate the design as those of the sedan, but adapted to the different conformation of the body. Internally we have: the bridge you see a large screen placed in the top center of the bridge itself, which acts as a digital speedometer display and also provides, again in digital format, the usual features speedometer, oil temperature and fuel level.

The revolution, however, is placed in canonical position, behind the wheel. The latter, of a multifunction is characterized by having a fixed hub. The cabin is equipped with numerous storage compartments and luggage compartment is regular in shape and has a capacity of 352 liters, arriving at 1,200 lowering the rear seat backrest. The load threshold is quite high, hitting the loads of heavy objects. Also deserve to be mentioned laminated side windows and exterior mirrors with casing specially designed to prevent wind noise and improve comfort inside.

The saloon version is manufactured in Argentina, where it is sold alongside the three-door version; it is exported from there to Brazil and Hungary as the C4 Pallas, to Spain as the C4 Berline and to Turkey and Greece as the C4 Sedan. A four-door saloon version 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 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^[1] (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 get 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 of the Xsara and ZX. The suspension was very classic, and included the usual type MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs while the rear was interconnected wheels with torsion beam and torsion bars. The braking system includes ventilated discs front and rear solid discs with ABS and ESP (not standard versions with basic fittings). The steering is rack and pinion steering with electrohydraulic.

2008 facelift

At the end of 2008, the C4 hatchback and coupe are subject to a slight cosmetic makeover that involves first the front^[2], this time sporting a "mouth" and larger trapezoidal. The grille has been redesigned making it now slightly curved. There were also minor updates in the queue. The redesign has also led to a slight lengthening of the car body, and was the occasion for more news. From the mechanical point of view is in fact the arrival of 1.6 Prince, with variable valve timing is aspirated, turbocharged and direct injection, already mounted on the Peugeot 207 and 308 and the Mini. Greatly improved ride comfort, and also revised the list, the more simplified and the sedan and the coupe offers the same price. In addition, the diesel versions are available with Airdream pack, which allows to slightly reduce emissions and consumption.

Sedan version

The sedan version was introduced as Citroën C-Triomphe, a mid-size sedan automobile produced from 2006 for the chinese market by Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile^[3], 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 in the range such as the Fukang and the Elysée, rather than being any 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 in some South American and European markets.

The car is a notchback sedan version of the european C4 model, since the chinese market prefers traditional three-box sedans over hatchbacks. It did not keep the designation, however, because in Chinese the number "4" is unlucky. The sedan is much larger than the hatchback: its length is 4,770 mm (187.8 in) over the hatchback's 4,260 mm (167.7 in) and its wheelbase measures 2,710 mm (106.7 in) against 2,610 mm (102.8 in) of the hatchback. This caused the C-Triomphe sedan to be classified in 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 smell of the interior.

For 2009, accompanying the unveiling of the facelift model^[4], the C-Triomphe moniker is dropped in favor of the name Citroën C-Quatré^[5]. For 2012 Citroën planned a new facelift version^[6] of the C-Quatrè sedan to unveil at Shanghai Motor Show based on the first generation of european C4.

Picasso version

The C4 Picasso is the MPV version of C4 range. Was offered since 2006 in two version: 5-seat more compact and 7-seat called Grand C4 Picasso. The C4 Picasso received a facelift in 2010 which are updated engines, headlights and mechanics. The engine range is composed largely of the same version of the engine hatch and coupé plus the petrol 1.8, 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 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.^[7] The entire sequence and scenery were digitally created; Apple Shake was used to digitally generate the visual effects. This commercial has since been credited to District 9 director Neill Blomkamp.^[8]

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.

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 features the song "Hungarian Dances" by Brahms. 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 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.^[9] 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.

A video game, 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 other player's record, or can play offline themselves.^[10]

Engines

Second generation (2010–present)

Debut

At the Paris Salon of 2010 makes its debut the second generation of Citroen C4, increased slightly in size and is not expected in the coupe version, but only five doors. The 3-door has been rejected by the French company's programs for both the low sales numbers of the previous generation 3-door, both to avoid the risk of "cannibalizing" the DS3 commercially.

Design

Compared to the outgoing model, the average new house of the French line offers more sober and less eccentric. In general, the lines are less rounded, the front is dominated by large clusters by the aggressive design "cut" the top and has a sort of "step" on the underside. Clearly visible in the front grille is also the great 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 very aggressive, has a rather large mouth, flanked by two air intakes and two slots for the fog lights. The mouth should ideally be at one with the radiator grille.

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. Here too, the massive bumper gives a sense of strength to the rear view, but at the same time it raises the threshold for over-load. 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 very modern in styling, and has some ribs, especially at the top, which appeal to the external lines of the bodywork. 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, however, knocking down the rear seat backrest.

Engines

The second set of C4 is provided with specific tires with low rolling resistance, and also of the 200 kg of polymer used in each sample, about 30 are environmentally friendly. The structure of the Mk2 C4, or C4-II, is derived from that of the first series: even the pace was unchanged, but there are some new features in this case. To make the car more comfortable have been slightly modified the geometry of the suspension while maintaining the original patterns of the previous C4, have been revised in some points to make life more comfortable on board. In addition, new bushings were used rubber more useful purpose. The brakes are disc and the front ones are ventilated, with ABS and ESP as standard across the range. The rack and pinion steering with electro-hydraulic actuator is copied from the previous C4. The engine range includes three petrol and four diesel engines:

• 1.4 VTi: 1397 cc, 95 PS;
• 1.6 VTi: 1598 cc, 120 PS;
• 1.6 THP: 1598 cc, turbo, 155 PS;
• 1.6 HDi: 1560 cc, 90 PS;
• 1.6 HDi 16v: 1560 cc, 110 PS;
• 1.6 e-HDi 16v: 1560 cc, 110 PS with Start&Stop;
• 2.0 HDi 16v: 1997 cc, 150 PS

The engine e-HDi, his debut 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.

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 its 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 will be running a C4 WRC for Ogier and the 2007 Formula One world champion Kimi Räikkönen. The 2003 world rally champion Petter Solberg competes in a C4 WRC for his private team.

Citroën also unveiled a hybrid concept WRC car at the 2008 Paris Motorshow. The Citroën C4 WRC Hymotion4 uses a KERS system similar to that in the Peugeot 908 HY.^[11]

Awards

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

The C4 WRC won the 2008 & 2009 Autosport Rally Car of the Year.

The second generation C4 (2010 onwards) was awarded a Euro NCAP Advanced Award for its eTouch Emergency & Assistance System.^[12]

Model car releases

The C4 Coupe has been produced by Majorette, Norev and Solido whereas the Hatchback has only been produced by Norev. The Citroën C4 WRC is being produced by Hot Wheels.

See also

• Peugeot 307
• Citroën C4 Picasso

References

External links

• C4 at Citroënët
• C4 5-doors page in France
• C4 Crash Test
• C4 links Citroën World
• Citroën C4 Owners Club Website
• Citroën "C4 by Loeb Special Edition" Owners Website