Citroen C4 Hatchback test drive since 2004 hatchback

Move on C4

On the automobile market, as on a chessboard, one move can dramatically change the game. Successful Citroen Model C4. Maxim Sachkov is dismantled by the party.
Photo: George Sadkov.
Among the C4 sites, the leading positions in Russia. Therefore, it is quite possible that it is this model that will be collected here at the Peugeot-Sitro enterprise. Russification can warm up interest in the four. In addition, in Argentina and China they began to make C4 with a sedan body. True, there are no conversations about deliveries to Russia. And which Citroen can you choose now?
On the counter
Citroen offers for C4 several configurations with a certain set of basic equipment, which can be supplemented by factory options. In the cheapest version X, only five -door models with a 1.6 liter engine and a mechanical box are sold. But even here, almost 470 thousand rubles at the initial step will not be attracted to buyers with a low price. True, the amount includes in French a good arsenal of the protection of the driver and passengers front pillows, ABS with an assistant during emergency braking, fastening for children's seats. There is an immobilizer, alarm and central remote control. Of other amenities in the list, the front electric windows and mirrors with electric and heating. You can order air conditioning, but for a surcharge.
Already in the next configuration, this device is included in the base set. The versions are more expensive for three- and five-door modifications, respectively, VTR and SX. Despite different indices, the level of equipment and interior decoration are the same. This performance already includes side pillows and curtains, mirrors and lower parts of the bumpers of the same color with a body, enlarged by an inch wheels. Richer and selection of options. For example, instead of stamped discs, you can install cast ones, the air conditioner can be replaced with climate control, order parking sensors for the stern (along with the display, which is displayed by the picture). They also offer cars with automatic boxes of truth, they are more expensive than mechanics by almost 40 thousand rubles.
There are choice of boxes in a richer configuration (Pack is added to the existing designations of VTR and SX), but the difference in prices is also significant. True, a three-door with a machine gun is content with the same 110-horsepower 1.6 liter engine, and a five-door SX-Pack receives a 2.0-liter engine with a capacity of 138 hp. A worthy list of basic equipment, cast 16-inch wheels, light and rain sensors, a driver's seat with a lumbar adjustment, an armrest with a secretary between the front seats. For an additional fee bixenon headlights, tire pressure sensors, leather interior decoration. The main differences from cheap modifications are in appearance. The brackets of external mirrors and handles are painted in the color of the body, and in the interior it is more expensive by the upholstery materials and the steering wheel sheathed with leather.
In the most expensive version, only three-door C4 (SX-Pack) is offered. Under the hood of a 2.0-liter 180-horsepower engine with a five-speed manual. Seventeen -inch cast discs hide more powerful brakes, and the ESP system is included in the basic equipment. Outwardly, a hot hatchback you will learn by an original plastic body kit, molding in the color of the body and the rear anti -wing. On the pedals, lever of the boxes and panels of the instruments, aluminum pads. By the way, in the standard version, the decoration of the salon Alcantara, to order leather.
Warranty for Citroen-C4 for two years without limiting a run. The owner can extend it for another year (or 100 thousand km). True, the good pleasure will have to pay 11 thousand rubles.
On a brief test, a five-door hatchback in the SX configuration with a 1.6-liter engine and automatic.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
The first thing that comes to mind when you see C4 funny. This feeling gives birth primarily to the original appearance. C4 with its expressive face and folding forms equally like both one and the other half of car humanity. Sensations are amplified when you get into the salon multi -storey building of the dashboard, electronic speedometer and tachometer. And what is the helm of the steering wheel, forever stood motionless. Interesting!
However, they meet on clothes, but how will it be worn? While conveniently, I thought, settling in the seat. I feel reliably, but not constrained. If there are any defects of the landing, then they are carefully smoothed out three adjustments of the seats with large ranges and a couple for the steering column here will not be sorted out of the lazy one.
Now the head will be spinning! No, it didn’t rock it, it’s just very unusual to fumble with your eyes on four screens, collecting information on pieces, just like a mushroom pipe in a small meadow. In front of the nose, a tachometer, in the middle at the very top of the instrument panel, is a speedometer, below the route computer, and if you still lower the gaze of the climate installation display. I will make it cool, otherwise it does not boil for long
After some time, you get used to the abundance of devices and look mainly at the speedometer. The tachometer in the usual urban mode is particularly calculated by the switching point by the electronic control box.
Oh, familiar manners! Have we met somewhere? Definitely at some Peugeot, a relative of the concern. Neither then nor now it was possible to find a common language with the unit. When I asked to be faster with switching to the lowered, for some reason I thought, and when smooth braking suddenly quickly and sharply began to jump down the steps. In general, they did not fall into the beat, and therefore did not sang.
But pleasantly talked with the engine. In pairs with a machine gun, a 110-horsepower unit is well accelerating the car from the stream, even slightly stroking the pedal. And if you need to accelerate, be sure for the horses you will not be ashamed. As, however, for the behavior of the car on the road. It cannot be called outstanding, rather adequate and predictable. The suspension allows small shocks on small irregularities and joints, but at the same time painlessly swallows serious pits and does not allow swinging on the waves. You think about a good compromise in the suspension and steering settings and, when passing the C4 turns, does not start acute and honed controllability, but does not scare impressive rolls.
Having already parted with the car, couldn't I decide everything I like C4 or not? He, of course, is not sinless, but there are enough attractive features. He did not come to an unambiguous answer, but became strengthened in the thought that this car did not leave indifferent. And therefore, the course of the company on C4 is successful.
Consider the options
3-door hatchback
The main buyers of the three -door, according to marketers, are young people who need an attractive and dynamic car. By the way, therefore, contrary to the generally accepted classification, the three -door version is not called a hatchback, but a compartment. In addition, unlike a five-door one, you can order a charged modification of VTS with a 180-horsepower 2.0-liter engine on 17-inch wheels. The volume of the luggage compartment is 314 liters (for the compartment good, for the hatchback of this class, an ordinary result). True, it is not difficult to increase to 1034 liters by decomposing the rear seat I do not exclude that this will have to be done more often than to throw off the driver's seat, passing into the second row of passengers (ZR, 2005, No. 10).
5-door hatchback
It looks calmer than three -door, and the most powerful version of almost 40 horses is weaker, moreover, with an automatic machine, and not with a family, practical car with mechanics. Although in the back seat there is a little less than in the three -door, the ceiling above the heads of passengers of the second row is about 20 mm higher (albeit in the hatchback and in the back of the back). The trunk is only 6 liters more than that of the three -door version. However, due to a different shape of the rear door, loading a large-sized lugger is more convenient. By the way, expensive three- and five-door versions are equipped with a special separator and a net so that the little things do not walk around the trunk (ZR, 2005, No. 5).
 
 
 
 
 
 

   
  
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"