Citroën ë-c4 – vive la e-volution!

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Citroën ë-C4

Vive la e Evolution!

For the ë-C4 Citroën lures with a bargain price. In order to score points, the French have left out everything bizarre for once.

When it comes to exterior design, Citroën mixes hatchback and SUV.

Whether hydropneumatic suspension, steering wheel with a fixed hub or air cushions to avoid parking bumps: Citroën likes to go its own way.

The French brand has long since made itself immortal with models such as the CV2 (Deux-Chevaux), the iconic DS or the roofless plastic car Mehari. With unconventional vehicles such as the C4 Cactus or the recently introduced plastic cube Ami, which consists of just 230 parts, Citroën has repeatedly caused a stir in recent times. But since the brand was bought by Peugeot in 1975, was then part of PSA and is now just one of many brands of the Stellantis Group, the brand with the double angle in the emblem can afford fewer and fewer extravagances. Nevertheless: If a new Citroën model is about to be launched on the market, the expectations are corresponding – and one is almost disappointed if it then shows no bizarreness. The new generation of the C4 is such a case: Although the body shape is a wild cross between a hatchback and an SUV with a rear design that polarizes, such crossovers are no longer unusual and are currently very much in fashion. One searches in vain for unconventional technology and quirky details, apart from the laptop holder, which whirrs out of the console at the touch of a button instead of a conventional glove compartment. Instead, the new C4 focuses on another of the manufacturer’s core competencies, namely driving comfort. “That’s our unique selling point,” confirms Daniel Fuchs, Head of Marketing at Citroën Switzerland: Citroëns should be more comfortable than the competition. It is understandable that the Stellantis subsidiary does not want to experiment with the new generation of the C4 – it is too important to re-enter the compact segment. “With the new C4, the brand is preparing for a strong comeback in this important class,” confirms Citroën boss Vincent Cobee. “An innovative appearance and unique comfort illustrate the stylistic identity of our new compact sedans.” The main focus is on the purely electrically driven variant ë-C4, which is offered in addition to conventional petrol and diesel engines with a power range of 100 to 155 hp. The ë-C4 is already available from CHF 29,900 and is therefore a tempting offer. However, you can’t expect miracles at this price: At 100 kW (136 hp), the output isn’t exactly ample, just like the battery size, which at 50 kWh is sufficient for a maximum of 350 kilometers according to WLTP. The battery can be charged with a maximum of 100 kW – ideally 80 percent full again in 30 minutes. In comparison: the significantly smaller Renault Zoe with the same performance is currently available at a similar price, but only thanks to a generous discount that Renault Switzerland is currently granting. In the price list, it is significantly more expensive from 36,300 francs. With a battery of the same size, the Zoe, which is 35 centimeters shorter, has a greater range (385 km according to WLTP), but with 50 kW it charges only half as fast.

Citroën ë-C4 - Vive la e-volution!-vive

In the interior, the laptop and tablet holder for the front passenger is particularly striking.

Focus on driving comfort

Driving in the ë-C4 clearly shows that Citroën has placed the focus on driving comfort in the set-up. The main factor here is the patented suspension with hydraulic stops, which on the one hand allows greater spring deflection and on the other hand avoids the phenomenon of springback. As a result, the vehicle rolls very comfortably, but also feels correspondingly “soft” – the typical Citroën driving feeling wrapped in cotton wool. In connection with the smooth-running steering, the ë-C4 is certainly not a curve hunter, but a comfortable cruiser. The barely audible electric drive fits in perfectly with this. But driving comfort also has a lot to do with the interior: the comfortable, not too soft seats in the ë-C4 contribute a lot to this, as does the good operating ergonomics in the cockpit with digital displays and a free-standing screen above the center console. The space also contributes to this – but only on the front seats. In the rear, the headroom is limited because of the coupe-like roofline, and one hopes for a little more legroom, especially in an electric car. In the interior of the new ë-C4, you will look in vain for anything avant-garde, such as the brand with the double chevron logo has produced time and time again. But that’s a good thing, after all, Citroën not only wants to attract attention with the new model, but also wants to get a big piece of the cake when it returns to the important compact class. With quirkiness and extravagance you create loyal fans – but you don’t get large quantities with them.

Citroën ë-C4 - Vive la e-volution!-citroën

Citroën ë-C4.

Citroën ë-C4

Engine: electric machine
Power: 136 hp / 260 Nm
Drive: Aut./1 gear, FWD
L×W×H: 4360×2032×1520mm
trunk volume: 380L
Weight: 1655kg
0-100km/h: 9.7 sec.
Vmax: 150km/h
Range WLTP: 350 km
Price: from CHF 29,900

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