C4 MKII

KEEN pricing, three specification levels and a choice of two petrol engines plus one diesel drivetrain gave the second-generation Citroen C4 a fighting chance of wider accpetance among Australian drivers.

The small-sized Citroen also played it safe with more conservative styling inside and out, backed by a feeling of high quality and solid build not usually associated with the double-chevron brand.

A return to hallmark form in terms of ride quality was welcome, as was a quiet ride and surprisingly fun handling.

Thr range opened with a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine – in either the base Attraction variant available solely with a four-speed automatic transmission or the higher-spec Seduction with a five-speed manual.

Customers could add the four-speed automatic to a Seduction specification petrol, on which 1.6-litre diesel power was also available with a six-speed manual.

The diesel could also be had in fuel-sipping e-HDi guise, featuring a six-speed robotised manual ‘EGS’ transmission, idle-stop, regenerative braking and low-rolling-resistance tyres to reduce improve urban-cycle fuel efficiency by up to 15 per cent.

Flagship Exclusive variants were also offered with an EGS-only 1.6-litre turbo-petrol unit, or the diesel in manual or automatic e-HDi format.

All C4s came with air-conditioning, a six-speaker sound system with auxiliary input and cruise control (with speed limiter).

Seduction spec added 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, USB, automatic handbrake, foglights (with cornering function), trip computer, exterior temperature display, rear privacy glass, leather multi-function steering wheel and ‘favourite’ speed memories for the cruise control.

Top-flight Exclusive variants were the technology showcase, featuring blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, massaging front seats (with electric lumbar adjustment), colour-customisable instruments, selectable polyphonic alert chimes and dual-zone climate-control with three intensity settings plus engine-off operation for up to eight minutes.

If that wasn't enough, the flagship also got 17-inch alloy wheels, ‘follow me home’ headlights, folding door mirrors with LED lights, interior LED reading lights, automatic wipers, self-dimming rear-view mirror, part-leather upholstery, illuminated footwells, 12-volt rechargeable torch in the boot and a centre rear armrest with ski hatch.

The entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine required 95 RON premium unleaded and produced a slightly wheezy 88kW of power and 160Nm of torque, resulting in 0-100km/h in 12.2 seconds for the manual and 13.9 seconds for the automatic.

Combined fuel consumption on the petrol ranged from 6.2L/100km (manual) to 6.9L/100km, with CO2 outputs of 143g/km and 159g/km respectively.

The Exclusive-only 1.6-litre turbo-petrol was the performance leader, completing the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.6 seconds. It also required premium petrol and produced 115kW/240Nm, returning combined consumption of 6.3L/100km and CO2 output of 145g/km.

Diesel models could put out 82kW/270Nm (increasing to short bursts of 285Nm during overboost). Combined fuel consumption and CO2 emissions varied depending on the wheel size and transmission, ranging from 4.2L/100km and 109g/km (16-inch/EGS) to 4.7L/100km and 122g/km (17-inch/manual).