Citroen’s new C4 is to go on sale early next year. The Ford Focus and VW Golf rival will bring a high-tech cabin and much improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions to the fray.
It’s a couple of inches longer than the current model, and slightly wider and taller. Despite being bigger, Citroen says new construction techniques including laser welding should ensure it’s also lighter.
The five-door hatchback will be available with features including a blind spot monitoring system, cornering headlights, speed limiter with memory setting, and an ‘eTouch’ system that gives tips on how to drive economically and monitors driving patterns and potential technical problems.
Some models will even come with massage seats as an option.
The new C4 will be the first production Citroen available with the company’s microhybrid engine, an electric motor married to a still-unspecified diesel engine (likely to be a l.6 litre unit).
Coupled with low rolling resistance tyres and stop-start technology, it’ll emit just 109g/km of CO2, though future models will cut that to a road tax-escaping 99g/km.
The car will get its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, and UK sales will start soon after the new year.