When: May 2011
Where: Barcelona, Spain
What: 2011 Citroen DS4
Occasion: International First Drive
Overall rating: 3/5
Citroen has high hopes for its handsome new DS4. The second model to bear the revived two-letter badge after the DS3, it's billed as a multi-segment crossover, with elements of hatchback, coupé and MPV all rolled into one.
Pricing: €24,000 - €30,000
Engine: petrol: 1.6-litre THP 200; diesel: 1.6-litre HDi 110, 2.0-litre HDi 160
Transmission: five/six-speed manual/six-speed semi-automatic, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door hatchback
Rivals: Alfa Romeo Giulietta, VW Scirocco, Nissan Qashqai
CO2 emissions: 114 - 149g/km
Combined economy: 6.6 - 4.4 litres/100km (43.5 - 64.2mpg)
Top speed: 190 - 235km/h
0-100km/h: 7.9 - 11.3 seconds
Power: 110hp at 3,600rpm (1.6 HDi 110), 200hp at 5,500-6,800rpm (1.6 THP 200)
Torque: 285Nm at 1,750rpm (1.6 HDi 110), 275Nm at 1,700-4,500rpm (1.6 THP 200)
In the metal 4/5
Undeniably chic, the Citroen DS4's styling is its strongest asset. The curved and carved rump is its best angle but the imposing nose also cuts a dash. Look closely at the rear doors and you'll see that handles have been subtly flushed into the corner of the window in a pseudo SEAT Leon/Alfa 156 style to create the illusion of a three-door coupé.
The door's jagged edge and the raked roof actually make entering the rear of the cabin tricky (it requires a lot of ducking and bending) and it's also quite dark in the back. In contrast, the tall windscreen allows plenty of light into the front. The interior is equally swish and (except for one or two cheap bits of plastic) of good quality. The horned dial pod is a particular highlight as is the trademark big Citroen steering wheel.
Driving it 3/5
The DS4 handles better than it rides, which is unusual for a Citroen. Body roll is kept well in check, despite the car's raised ride height, but rutted surfaces make themselves known. Turn in is accurate and the Citroen exhibits neutral handling, with progressive understeer when provoked. Grip is strong, but the steering offers little feedback.
We initially sampled the flagship 1.6 THP 200 petrol engine, which offers strong power delivery from low- to mid-range, but runs out of puff towards the upper end of the rev range. It's no hot hatch, but 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds and 200hp render it sufficiently brisk for a top-spec petrol model.
As an ownership prospect, the HDi 160 turbodiesel is much more tempting. With 160hp and 340Nm of torque, it's capable enough, and is happiest when left in third or fourth gear on a fast run. It's far more easy-going than the 2.0-litre petrol and the economy benefits are worth it, too.
The Citroen DS4 proved highly refined in either of the guises that we experienced, our only criticism being a loud induction whistle from the diesel engine's turbocharger. The high set driving position helps with forward visibility, but that same element is hampered by thick A-pillars and the view out of the rear window is also very restricted.
What you get for your money 3/5
You'll pay from €24,000 for an entry-level Citroen DS4 DSign when it goes on sale next month (June 2011) and around €30,000 for a range-topping THP 200. Three spec levels are on offer - DSign, DStyle and DSport - though not with all engine options.
On the face of it, equipment levels look pretty generous, and Citroen is known for its big showroom discounts, but those list prices are quite high considering the multitude of competitors that the DS4 is up against.
Worth Noting
Despite the jacked-up ride height and supposed rivalry to the Nissan Qashqai, Citroen has dismissed the idea of a four-wheel drive DS4. It didn't, however, rule out the possibility of a hot DS4 Racing version in future.
Summary
It's a tricky one, this. Citroen's hopes of a multi-segment crossover haven't quite been realised by the DS4 - it's more of a suave hatchback than a coupé/hatch/MPV combo, but that's not to say it's a bad car. The distinctive styling and classy, refined cabin work well, especially with the 2.0-litre diesel engine providing the power. The let downs are the numb steering, the harsh ride and its expense. However, if it's a classier version of the Citroen C4 you're after, the DS4 is right on the money.