Citroen C4 Cactus pricing released

CITROEN Australia has released pricing information for its funky new Cactus crossover, which will start from $26,990 plus on-road costs in base guise when it officially goes on sale in February.

The opening price is for the turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol version, and the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel will be offered from $29,990 plus ORCs.

Citroen Australian general manager John Startari said that the company's French parent company PSA had assisted with the keen pricing.

“With the exchange rate going the way it’s going, we’re grateful for the assistance provided by PSA on this one,” he said.

The pricing puts it in the ballpark with a number of compact-SUV competitors, including the Skoda Yeti (24,390-$34,390), Mitsubishi ASX ($24,990-$35,990) and Nissan Qashqai ($25,850-$38,390).

Already on sale in Europe and New Zealand, the car’s Australian debut was delayed after issues with a rear child harness tether point. The peculiarly Australian problem was solved at a factory level by the development and implementation of a 60/40 split-fold rear seat to replace a single folding bench.

Australian customers will be the first to receive the now-standard rear seat configuration. A Citroen source told GoAuto that consideration was never given to selling the car as a four-seater, which would have precluded the need for re-engineering the rear seat to suit a standard only applied in Australia.

One specification level will be offered across both 81kW/205Nm 1.2-litre petrol and 68kW/230Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel variants. The petrol engine variant is only available as a five-speed manual, while a six-speed robotised manual is specced for the diesel.

Despite the recent recent addition of the 1.2-litre petrol/six-speed automatic combination for Citroen's sister company Peugeot's baby 208, the Cactus' modified PF1 chassis has not been engineered to take the new transmission type.

Standard equipment is set to include a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth with audio streaming, air-conditioning, automatic headlights and wipers, reversing camera and sensors, cruise control with speed limiter, heated electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel, fog-lights, front central armrest, roof bars, 17-inch alloy wheels and rear privacy glass.

Buyers can select from a mind-boggling 21,000-plus possible colour, trim, specification and mechanical combinations, and the first 100 pre-order customers have been able to take full advantage and spec their new Cactus in any way they see fit. Citroen Australia will analyse the choices before announcing its final colour range next year.

Citroen Australia PR and communications manager Tyson Bowen said the car-maker has sold 25 per cent of its initial allocation.

The company would not confirm the volume of its initial shipment, but Mr Bowen said that Citroen was “comfortable” with the stock levels.

“A quarter of our allocation has been sold, and we’ve only had it out to our dealers for six weeks,” Mr Bowen said.

“Yellow and aqua are the most popular colours so far.”2015 Citroen C4 Cactus pricing*

1.2L petrol	$26,990
1.6L diesel (a)	$29,990

*Excludes on-road costs