Citroen C4 Hatchback test drive since 2004 hatchback

Master of special effects

Another Citroen seems to be a native of those glorious times when the French produced avant -garde, excitingly interesting cars.
 



Driving like a computer
The French buzzed all their ears about their unique notion. Sensation! Revolution! Wow! Most of the service functions on this machine with an on-board computer, radio, cruise control, navigation system, even the telephone can be controlled without tearing the hands from the steering wheel. What, with a motionless hub! Naturally, the first thing I did, being inside C4, tried to manipulate all this economy.
 

I turn the steering wheel, by the way, at the parking speeds it could have been smaller, the rim rotates, and the central part is indeed motionless. Along the circumference of a chubby stationary disk with a dozen buttons and a quartet of rotating wheels, similar to those on a computer mouse.
 

The buttons are those that are right at the bottom, command the flight comprehensive compliance. The top controls the radio. Yeah, but on the left is a cunning cruise control. This, as the French have assured, can limit the given speed of movement. Now I will try ...
 

Oh no no no! Carried away, I almost drove a turn. Thanks to the excellent brakes managed to turn into the desired street. However, it will not work to manipulate this electronic farm without removing hands from the steering wheel.
 



Light in the tunnel
Well, okay. In the end, everything is quite convenient on straight lines. We will not forget the same that such a hub carries an enlarged airbag, which protects not only the head, but also the chest with the stomach during the accident. Anyway, the Miracle Rule was only the first of the many surprises that were waiting for me in C4.

 


Amazing, but with a difficult -looking steering keyboard it is quite easy to contact
 


I only managed to reach for the handle of the nearby light when entering the tunnel, and the headlights already lit automatically. Suddenly plunged into the darkness, the salon and the bright luminous screens scattered in front of the eyes are very impressive. I have not met such a number of monitors with control lamps in any golf-class machine. The main one, of course, is a speedometer with large, the size of a matchbox, numbers.
 

Apotheosis of French futurism lever of the automatic transmission selector. In his case, as in the mirror, the lights of this unexpected light representation are reflected, and he himself looks like a fantastic flower with an unexpressed leather-chromium bud. For greater brightness, the impressions are not enough unless the luminous icon of the generator of the spatio-temporal continuum in the form of a large three-beam star behind the backs of the front seats. Remember, this was in the time of time of the eccentric-Genia Doc that he had traveled back to the future?
 



Conversation at home
But the tunnel is over. The odometer added a kilometer per kilometer, and enthusiasm for sophisticated design and abundance of electronics were replaced by a more attentive attitude to the convenience of using the machine.
 

In the parking lot, C4 liked the ease of landing. A high roof and a wide doorway helped to easily be in the cabin. In appearance, rustic fabric chairs make it possible to get comfortable quite conveniently. And how is a large range of vertical adjustment of 5 cm. If you fall into the lowest position, a reserve with two fists over a person’s head is a tall of 180 cm. And the width of the cabin is everywhere free. At the shoulders level in front is 1430 mm, and behind 1400 record numbers in the class. Plus almost even floor. Welcome three to the gallery!

 
  
Side airbags built into the backs of seats are included in the basic equipment

Almost even floor and record for golf class 1400 mm at a shoulder level allow three adults if you want to travel here
 
 
The volume of the trunk is small 350 liters. But, folding the cut in a ratio of 2: 3, no need to remove the headrests

Be careful! Back and fog lights are located too low


But I wanted to put my back in a more vertical position, and I had to stick the brush into a narrow gap between the chair and the central counter. Not everyone has a hand so bend. Another shortage of the mirror. It seems to be not small, they are located too close to the central racks. When rebuilding, twisting your head has to be more ordinary.
 

Boom, boom! These wheels respond to the joints of the bridge spans, and the body shudders at the same time, as if from a hiccup. There are usually so short and rigid suspensions of frankly sports cars. Is it a fourth of their number of them?
 



What would grandfather say?
Moreover, he has one of the relatives to imitate. One of the ancestors of C4 DS19 almost half a century ago was able to ride very well. Almost a serial machine was unlucky in the rally. The other grandfather of C4 GS (by the way, in the profile of granddaughters is very similar to him), who managed to win a car of the year in Europe in 1971, put not only piston, but also Vankel rotor engines, turning the car into a very, very hot hatchback.
 

Yes, and our special effects master himself was built on the basis of Peugeot 307, known for his driver's disposition. The motor is the same frisky, 110-horsepower, the steering wheel is less than three revolutions (2.88) with a fairly short 16: 1 gear ratio. Eh, now I will ride quickly!
 

It wasn't there. There are no bright ones that are from design, there are no impressions. In an attempt to quickly accelerate, I translate the lever of the automatic transmission selector into manual mode. 3500, 5000, 6500 revolutions, and at the same second a tachometer, so that a bull eye is suddenly poured with blood, and the car shake the feverish twitching. So super -proper in the car operates a revolutionary limiter.
 

A strange thing, but even with such a spectacular view of the desired acceleration, I did not receive. The tandem of a brisk motor and a thoughtful 4-speed machine is far from the best combination for temperamental accelerations. According to the passport 13.1 s to 100 km/h. Interestingly, this guy behind the wheel of Vazovskaya nine, who had just started on yellow, knows that I unsuccessfully tried to catch up with him?
 

As soon as I went around the improvised obstacle, and C4 again hastened to pull me, striving too early to the back of my tail. Maybe it's not too successful even for a front -wheel drive car with a weightation? On the front axle 801, and on the back only 473 kg. Yes, of course, a loaded car and the alignment of others will be. And the electronic system for stabilizing the trajectory quickly helps to restore the skid. But what, do I always carry fellow travelers in the back seat? In addition, Citroen is not supposed in the basic equipment of ESP.
 
The most profitable and fastest

Basic C4 for 13,990 euros ($ 18 330) is a 5-door 110-horsepower hatchback in version x: 6 airbags, ABS, power steering, electric windows and heated mirrors, on-board computer, fog lights and corporate control with a speed limiter . In metallic (200 euros), with air conditioning (700 euros) and a stereo system (325 euros), such a machine will cost $ 19,900. In our opinion, it is such C4 is optimal. The equipped version of CH (air freshener, air conditioning, the interior decoration with a better fabric, the body of the body in the body color and the two -tonal sound signal) are 15 650 euros ($ 20,500). The same modification with an automatic machine, of course, is still more expensive than 16,750 euros ($ 21,940), and for a version with the automatic transmission and a 2-liter 140-horsepower engine they ask for and completely sky-high money for golf class 21,200 euros ($ 27,770).
 

Those who, instead of 5-, will attract a more dynamic 3-door C4, can save a little. Despite the high initial price of 14,750 euros ($ 19,320), such C4s are better equipped (no need to pay extra for air conditioning, heating the front seats, the mirror body, 16-inch stamped discs). With the automatic transmission, this is the most affordable C4: VTR version 15,850 euros ($ 20 760).
 

And finally, it is a hotter for car lovers of cars 2-liter C4-VTS coupe. He has outstanding characteristics: 180 liters. p., a kilometer from a place for only 28.3 s, 227 km/h maximum speed, 8.3 s to hundreds and, accordingly, high 23,900 euros ($ 31,310) price.




They wanted the best
However, the French did not promise the Drivers talents C4. But more than once they mentioned excellent sound insulation. It was supposed to provide mirrors of the streamlined shape, the low coefficient of the frontal resistance, which prevents the swirling of the raising air of the double seal in the doorways and a rather long and wide, but not very high body.
 

But then in theory. In fact, there was no particular silence in the cabin. No, it is by no means as noisy here as, for example, in other Korean small -leafers. But at the same time, more sounds penetrate the salon than in Astra or Golf. Note the wheels, not studded quite clearly slap along the road. The motor (thanks must be said to the lack of sound insulation of the hood) becomes annoying after 4000 rpm. It seems that it is not in vain for 375 euros that the French offer to equip C4 multi -layer, like a frontal triplex, side glasses. The noise level in such a machine should fall by 35 decibels.
 

 
Each detail carefully aerodynamically worked out the coefficient of air resistance C4 is only 0.3


But there are no such glasses on our C4. Despite the fact that you can rush much faster in the end, bright cars should be able to drive quickly, I do not want to accelerate above 110120 km/h. A kilometer, another, a dozen. At such speed and comfort has not yet been lost, and Citroen is extremely obedient. One bad thing: so I can fall asleep.
 

Although no, it should not. Marvelous, but the creators of C4 took care, it seems, about it. Thanks to perfumers from Robertet, even the basic equipment can boast a set of three cartridges with various smells. Now menthol reigns in the ventilation system. According to the eastern teachings on the influence of odors on a person, he tones. And he nervous, for example, in traffic jams you can use lavender. She, they say, relaxes. And finally, real connoisseurs of aromotherapy can order C4 with one of the seven cartridges with smells from jasmine and mimosa to Ilang and Vanilla.
 



You dreamers!
What a beautiful! A young person with a dreamy gaze, stopping a little from our car, could not know about the ability of C4, could not know. She was attracted by the appearance of the Frenchman. After he was washed from salt and sand, he looked especially pretty.
 

Well, this will really stand out in the most colorful city stream. And S4 is safe like none of his rivals. In our market, not a single low -profile is sold, which would have so many 35 points in Ewroncap tests. In short, in the first quarter of an hour of acquaintance, this Citroen seems irresistible maestro Copperfield, captivating its magical ideas.
 

But having talked with our dandy longer, you understand that this, alas, is quite ordinary, far from as comfortable as it is customary in today's golf class. He could have forgiven a lot, if he had an affordable price. And it, given the equipment rather generously even in the base, is really not sky-high of 13,990 euros or $ 18,330. However, $ 19,930 with air conditioning, music and metallics will cost at least $ 21,950. Our very Generously (it is enough to mention the 2-zone climate control, parking sensor, flavor, heating the front seats) an awesome car is $ 24,800. With such requests of French small-sipping, it is hardly even special effects that will help to become popular in Russia.

 
PER

Bright, stylish appearance and futuristic interior, spacious interior, comfortable trunk, excellent brakes, excellent passive safety
AGAINST

High price, rigid suspension, low noise insulation, mediocre dynamics with automatic transmission, an uncomfortable wiper management algorithm and the flight comprehensive compliance, and the unsuccessful location of the side mirrors.
 
Citroen C4

common data
 
Body (number of places/doors)
hatchback (5/5)
 
Equipped mass, kg
1274
 
Length x width x height, mm
4260x1773x1458
 
Base, mm
2608
 
Road clearance (for Russia), mm
150
 
Acceleration time 0100 km/h, with
13.1
 
Speed, km/h
188
 
Fuel tank capacity, l
60 (AI-95)
 
Fuel consumption, l/100 km highway/city
5.8/11.3
 

Engine
 
Working volume, SMZ
1587
 
Power, L.S. at rpm
110/5750
 
Torque, kgsm at rpm
14.98/4000
 

Chassis
 
Drive unit
On the front wheels
 
Transmission
Automatic, 4-speed
 
Suspension
spring, Co stabilizers of the anti -resistance stability
 
front
Independent, such as McEferson
 
behind
dependent, with an elastic transverse beam
 
Steering
rack type with amplifier
 
Brakes
disk, in front ventilated
 
Tires
205/55 R16
 
 
Alexey Sergeev, photo of Maxim Goncharov

 
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [05/2005]