Citroen adds kit to C4 Seduction

MID-SPEC Seduction variants of Citroen’s C4 small car will gain extra equipment for a limited time in Australia, bringing the gadget count closer to that of the top-level Exclusive.

Joining the spec sheet are dual-zone climate-control, automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, electric folding door mirrors and a self-dimming interior mirror.

The extras, claimed to be worth $3500, are only available on cars fitted with automatic transmissions, and prices remain static at $24,990 (plus ORCs) for the 1.6-litre petrol and $27,990 for the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel.

In the case of the 1.6-litre petrol, the transmission is a four-speed torque-converter unit while the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel gets a six-speed ‘automated manual’.

With the current-generation C4, launched in Australia last October, Australian Citroen importer Ateco Automotive has yet to restore sales to the level achieved by the original in its heyday, when it regularly shifted triple-digit monthly volumes between 2005 and 2008, peaking at 162 units in August 2007.

Ateco will be hoping the extra equipment boosts C4 sales as it has not exactly been a hit, with a comparatively paltry peak of 65 units sold in Australia last month against a monthly average of just 44 units since launch, despite being well-priced and specified against the competition.

From top: Citroen C4 hatch DS3 C4 AirCross.

In addition to the new equipment, Seduction-spec C4s include a six-speaker sound system with Bluetooth, USB and auxiliary connectivity, an automatic handbrake, fog-lights with cornering function, a trip computer, exterior temperature display, rear privacy glass, leather multi-function steering wheel, cruise control with speed limiter and ‘favourite’ speed memories, 16-inch alloy wheels, six airbags and emergency brake assist (with automatic hazard light activation under hard braking).

The 88kW/160Nm petrol engine requires 95 RON premium unleaded, which is consumed at the rate of 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.

It takes a sluggish 13.9 seconds to reach 100km/h from rest, making it one of Australia’s slowest-accelerating cars.

Diesel models, with outputs of 82kW and 270Nm, are quicker to 100km/h at 11.3 seconds while returning an impressively frugal 4.2L/100km, achieved with the aid of idle-stop and regenerative braking technologies.

In other recent Citroen news, Ateco last week added standard two-tone leather upholstery to the DS3 light hatch and in May slashed the price while offering drive-away pricing on the Attraction variant of the C5 mid-sizer for a limited time, representing a total saving of around $5000.

Citroen also launched the Mitsubishi ASX-based C4 Aircross compact SUV this month, available in high-spec Exclusive trim with petrol engine and auto transmission only, priced at $31,990 for the front-drive variant or $33,990 for the 4x4.