Citroën's new C4 and electric Ë-C4 have, somewhat belatedly, arrived in Ireland. Gowan Distributors, which has taken back the Citroën distributorship for Ireland, had hoped to have cars on the ground and in dealerships for the July plate change, but production hold-ups put paid to that.
Basic engine is a 100hp 1.2 petrol turbo
Nonetheless, the new C4 is now here, and kicks off with a price tag of €24,740. That will get you a basic Feel model, with the 100hp 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder turbo petrol engine. That has CO2 emissions of 122g/km.
Feel spec is quite well-equipped, though - as standard, you get digital instruments and a ten-inch touchscreen infotainment system. There's Bluetooth phone connection, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 18-inch alloys, active emergency braking, lane keeping steering, air conditioning, and Citroën's latest 'Comfort' front seats, which get variable density foam padding for extra comfiness.
The C4 also gets, as standard, Citroën's Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension - basically a hydraulic damper at the top of the suspension mount, instead of a solid rubber bump-stop, which means the suspension is a little better at dealing with sharp intrusions from the road surface.
There is a diesel for DERV die-hards
€27,620 gets you the more powerful 130-hp 1.2-litre petrol engine, while for €26,790 you can actually have a diesel (imagine that!) - a 110hp four-cylinder BlueHDI turbo unit. There's a 130hp diesel too.
You can of course also have an electric version, and the Ë-C4 starts from €31,730. It uses the same 50kWh battery pack and 100kW (136hp) electric motor as found in the likes of the Peugeot e208 and Opel Mokka-e. Citroën quotes a WLTP one-charge range of 350km, and there are special charging tariffs available from Citroën Ireland's energy supplier, Energia, along with the offer of a free home charging wallbox. The battery can be charged at speeds of up to 100kW, and that will allow an 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes assuming you can find a sufficiently powerful charging point.
The C4 is a little bigger than the outgoing C4 Cactus (which this car effectively replaces) and Citroën is claiming best-in-class rear kneeroom. Boot space is a competitive (but not exceptional) 380 litres.
Built-in dashcam
If you fancy a pricier C4, you can have the Feel Pack (starting from €27,620) which offers connected sat-nav, a built-in dash-cam, and the Citroën Smart Pad support - this is a little pop-out mount on the passenger side of the car that holds a tablet, allowing your front seat companion to enjoy Netflix or similar while you drive. Presumably, this is after you've had an utterly massive row and your passenger has decided to take to Stranger Things rather than chat to you. You do get a heads-up display to stare angrily at.
Flair spec, which starts at €29,190, gets diamond cut alloys, speed sign recognition, blind spot monitor, front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and keyless entry. The top-spec Flair Pack, starting from €33,640, gets an automatic transmission as standard, an upgraded stereo, heated leather seats, and more electronic driver aids. If you go for the Ë-C4 in Flair Pack spec, you also get a heated steering wheel.
Speaking today, Colin Sheridan MD of Citroën Ireland commented: "The launch of the New C4 and Ë--C4 is a very exciting time for the Citroën brand in Ireland. As a true crossover, not only does the New C4 give us access to both the hatchback and SUV segments but the car itself strikes a remarkable balance with real style, immense comfort and a wide array of safety features coupled with new and innovative technology. The Ë-C4 also provides us with a taste of things to come on the electric front. By 2023, 80 per cent of our car and van range will be electrified and by 2025 this figure will rise to 100 per cent. Our parent group Stellantis are currently investing €30-billion over the next four years and are producing four new EV platforms which will produce a wide range of electric vehicles with a 500-800km range. Overall, the future is bright for Citroën in Ireland, and we look forward to welcoming customers back into our showrooms to test drive this exciting new C4 and Ë-C4. The New C4 is available with a very competitive 1.9 per cent finance rate and all models come with a five-year warranty and three years roadside assistance".