Citroën C4

For these cars introduced in late 1920s, see Citroën C4 & C6.

Citroën C4

Manufacturer	Citroën
Production	2004–present
Assembly	Mulhouse, France Villa Bosch, Argentina
Predecessor	Citroën Xsara
Successor	Citroën DS4 (for coupé)
Class	Compact car World Rally Car
Body style	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door MPV
Layout	FF layout
Engine	1.4 L ET3 I4 1.6 L TU5 I4 1.6 L DV6 HDi diesel I4 2.0 L EW10 I4 2.0 L DW10 HDi diesel I4
Wheelbase	2,608 mm (102.7 in)
Length	Coupé 4,274 mm (168.3 in) Hatchback 4,260 mm (168 in)
Width	1,769 mm (69.6 in)
Height	1,458 mm (57.4 in)
Curb weight	2,315 lb (1,050 kg)
Related	Citroën C4 Picasso Citroën DS4 Peugeot 307 Peugeot 308 Peugeot 3008 Peugeot 5008
Designer	Donato Coco

Restyled C4

Rear of a Citroën C4 coupé

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 (2004–2010)

Versions

Available body styles include three-door coupé / hatchback and five-door hatchback, plus a saloon version in certain markets. 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 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.

A panel van based on the coupé bodyshell is available in some markets, including Ireland.

Police municipale C4 in Aix-en-Provence (France)

Alternative propulsion

Flexifuel

Citroën C4 BioFlex is a bioethanol flexible fuel vehicle.^[1]

Electric

HYmotion2

Included in the hybrid vehicle strategy HYmotion.^[2]

Citroën C4 WRC Hybrid 4

The Citroën C4 WRC Hybrid 4 is an electric vehicle.^[3]

C4 5door and C4 Coupé (rear)

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 C BA three-door and the Early Honda CRX.

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^[4] (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.

Underneath, the C4 uses an identical mechanical design to the contemporary Peugeot 307. Interestingly, its underpinnings date back to the 1991 Citroën ZX, although it includes much more electronic technology than that and the Xsara that was produced between the ZX's demise and the C4's launch.

Engines

Petrol engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	0–100 km/h,s	Top speed	Note	CO2 emission (g/km)
1.4i 16V	I4	1360 cc	90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) @5250 rpm	133 N·m (98 lb·ft) @3250 rpm	12.8	113 mph (182 km/h)		153
1.6 16V VTi	I4	1598 cc	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) @6000 rpm	160 N·m (118 lb·ft) @4250 rpm	10.0	121 mph (195 km/h)		159
1.6 16V VTi automatic	I4	1598 cc	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) @6000 rpm	160 N·m (118 lb·ft) @4250 rpm	11.9	116 mph (187 km/h)		165
Diesel engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	0–100 km/h,s	Top speed	Note	CO2 emission (g/km)
1.6HDi 16V	I4	1560 cc	90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) @4000 rpm	215 N·m (159 lb·ft) @1750 rpm	12.5	112 mph (180 km/h)		125
1.6HDi 16V	I4	1560 cc	110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) @4000 rpm	240 N·m (177 lb·ft) @1750 rpm	11.2	119 mph (192 km/h)		115

• 1.4 L (1360 cc) ET3 I4, 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) and 90 lb·ft (120 N·m)
• 1.6 L (1587 cc) TU5 I4, 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) and 110 lb·ft (150 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 PS (68 kW; 91 hp)-110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) and 159 lb·ft (216 N·m)-177 lb·ft (240 N·m)
• 2.0 L (1997 cc) EW10 16-valve I4, 143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp) and 140 lb·ft (190 N·m)
• 2.0 L (1997 cc) EW10 S 16-valve I4, 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp)
• 2.0 L (1997 cc) DW10 HDi diesel I4, 138 PS (101 kW; 136 hp) and 236 lb·ft (320 N·m)

Advertising

Citroën C4 Coupé VTR

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.^[5] 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.^[6]

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 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.

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.^[7] 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.^[8]

Second generation (2010–present)

Citroën C4 II

Second generation C4 at the 2010 Paris Motor Show
Manufacturer	Citroën
Production	2010-
Assembly	Mulhouse, France Kaluga, Russia
Body style	5-door hatchback
Related	Citroën DS4

The second generation Citroën C4 was presented in June 2010. For the time being it will exist only in one version, the five-door hatchback. The Coupé version has been replaced by the Citroën DS4 which launched in Europe early 2011 and in the UK in June 2011.

Both ranges now include the energy efficient e-HDi engines with stop start technology

C4 in rallying

Main article: Citroën C4 WRC

Dani Sordo driving a C4 WRC at the 2008 Rally Catalunya.

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.^[9]

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.^[10]

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

References

1. ^ "Frankfurt Green: Citroen C-Cactus". The Car Connection. http://www.thecarconnection.com/Car_Shows_and_Concept_Cars/Frankfurt_Auto_Show/Frankfurt_Green_Citroen_C-Cactus.S290.A13312.html?srccd=wn20070910. Retrieved 2010-10-03. 
2. ^ Julian Marsh. "Citroën at the Paris Motor Show 2008". Citroenet.org.uk. http://www.citroenet.org.uk/phototheques/paris2008/paris2008.html. Retrieved 2009-10-06. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ "Preview: Obama at Plug-In Center Thurs + News Roundup". Calcars.org. http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/1050.html. Retrieved 2009-10-06. 
4. ^ "Citroën news release, 11/09/2007". Citroen.com. 2004-08-06. http://www.citroen.com/CWW/en-US/NEWS/NEWSRELEASES/ArchivesNewsReleases/200710/11092007_USBBOX.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-03. 
5. ^ "Citroen C4's Transformer Dance". Carpages.co.uk. http://www.carpages.co.uk/citroen/citroen_c4_13_11_04.asp. Retrieved 2009-10-06. 
6. ^ James White (2009-08-27). "Film features: The Story Behind District 9". TotalFilm.com. http://www.totalfilm.com/features/the-story-behind-district-9. Retrieved 2009-10-06. 
7. ^ "Interpress Motor - Kiefer Sutherland grava comercial do Citroën C4 Pallas". Interpress Motor. 2007. http://www2.uol.com.br/interpressmotor/noticias/item18401.shl. Retrieved 2007-07-19. 
8. ^ "C4 Robot". http://www.c4robot.com/. 
9. ^ Lawrence Butcher (2008-10-02). "Citroen WRC Hymotion4 | People". Racecar Engineering. http://www.racecar-engineering.com/news/people/276006/citroen-hybrid-wrc.html. Retrieved 2010-07-20. 
10. ^ "Citroen eTouch Gets Euro NCAP Advanced Award". Autoevolution.com. http://www.autoevolution.com/news/citroen-etouch-gets-euro-ncap-advanced-award-25077.html. Retrieved 2010-10-20. 

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