Test drive Citroen C4 hatchback since 2010 Hatchback

Long test Citroen C4. Electronic "Priesges"

Citroen C4 1.6 VTI EXCLUSIVE automatic transmission
Total mileage 17 360 km
Mileage from the start of the test 9 360 km
Middle fuel consumption 10.2 l / 100 km

Our test of gray hatchback Citroen C4 Kaluga assembly is completed. We screwed 9.5 thousand kilometers on it and made sure that it is not bad for Russian conditions. Increased clearance came in the snowy winter, and good noise insulation and smoothness of the prosecution with a cozy interior provide comfort. Did the old automatic, in the depths of which is lost a considerable share of 120 horses. But not only therefore C4 is contraindicated to lovers of active ride.

We have already written that after changing the tires to the winter (Michelin X-Ice North 2) Citroen steering wheel, and did not indulge in an abundance of information about the road, became completely empty. This deprives confidence on icing or snow-covered, because the Baranka effort is practically not changing if the wheels begin to slide. Of course, C4 on guard is partially turned off (at speeds up to 50 km / h) a dynamic stabilization system, but ESP is not omnipotent. This must be remembered.

Disconnect it, for example, on the sites of meaning slightly at low speeds to send C4 to the burden of gas discharge will not be released, inertia is too small. If you intentionally do not rock the car, then the Citroen Ice behaves equally sails the muzzle to the outside when the input rate is exceeded. Well, at least that the handbrake here is ordinary, mechanical can be corrected by the trajectory in proven way. But can you write predictable and reliable behavior in the passive of the family hatchback? Yes, and ESP deserves praise, it works intelligent and not annoying with his intervention.

And more pleasant to the C4 ride calmly, without fuss. Exclude sharp accelerations and braking and not try to pass turns on the verge. And then the perception of the car changes. The engine is no longer annoying with noise at high speed, the old gearbox does not climb out the skin, trying to achieve a modest set of steps as efficiently as possible, and the body does not peck out due to the soft suspension. You are lying in the right rows and do not support the ripped rhythm of Moscow roads.

If the road conditions allow, it is better to use cruise control. In C4, you can program five different velocity values \u200b\u200bfor the limiter or cruise. High-speed mode on the Moscow Ring Road, TTK, highways or highway in the city feature has different restrictions, and they can all be recorded in memory and switch between them. And it is very convenient. And, of course, with slow movement, it particularly wants to turn on the massage and immerse yourself in a cozy atmosphere created inside C4. The main thing is not to fall asleep.

However, it is unlikely to give deformation seams on the overpass. In winter, on the frozen suspension, C4 reacts to them especially painfully. Buk, booze, complains of our roads rear beam. Does not love Citroen and major pits. And this, of course, wakes up the impression of a good smoothness of the course, which in soft winter tires has become even better than C4 actually ceased to pay attention to the smallest.

As for secondary electronics, here C4 leaves a strange impression. It seems to be a lot in Citroen all kinds of increments, but most of these options do not name the need. Do you need changeable sounds of turn signals or alerts in case of, for example, an unbroken door or low fuel level? Or different colors of the backlight of the dashboard? Best of all, the basic lunar shade is suitable for the perception of information, the remaining options turn the C4 in the Korean, not that in the old Volkswagen with non-contrast blue scales. These chips will not name helpful.

But the display that is located in the center of the speedometer deserves warm words to it you can withdraw almost any information: the current speed in digital format, the readings of the on-board computer, data from the audio system, various warnings, the interval of the service station visits and even navigate the simplified form. There is also an indication of a parking assistant, which determines whether the distance is enough to park the car.

By the way, I do not agree with my colleague's opinion, Vitaly Kabysheva, who considers the dashboard Citroen C4 non-informative. In my opinion, he looks pleasant, and with the reading of indicators there are no problems. In addition to the mentioned central display, there are two lesscurs in the edges. Information on the operation of the automaton and the current transmission mode is displayed on the left, and the right-wing is common and daily mileage. In addition, the backlight brightness is adjustable to a fairly wide range.

Many information can be displayed on the 7-inch screen on the center console. But management, confess, confused. You have to get used to the abundance of buttons under the display for a long time. Even to configure the audio system (it, by the way, is quite good!) You need to do a lot of manipulations by four buttons two control the menu horizontally, and two vertically. What are the difficulties?

In addition, the multimedia combine does not understand Cyrillic synchronizing phone contacts after connecting to Bluetooth, you get a set of unreadable characters. What to talk about navigation? However, Citroen promises to correct the situation. And yet, since we started talking about music, I would like to change the algorithm for the mute button and shifts of its source located on the steering wheel. To drown out the sound, you need to click and keep it, and short press will change the radio to the USB flash drive or CD. Illogical.

As for the situation in the market, it will have to be stated with all its advantages like good noise insulation and smoothness of the course, cozy and high-quality interior and the set of various electronic bellows of Citroen C4 will hardly be as popular in Russia as its predecessor. Last year, C4 was sold twice worse than Peugeot 308! Do not help and triggering like an old 110-strong engine, with which C4 will cost 10 thousand rubles cheaper (now prices begin from 584,900 rubles, and the discount on the 2011 release car is 30 thousand).

Now our market has a diesel version of C4 E-HDI, which the French is called microhybride. 110-strong engine and a six-speed robotic box in combination with the start / stop system are designed to reduce fuel consumption by 15%. But such a C4 is hardly visiting available in equal configurations it will cost 110 thousand rubles more expensive than 120-strong gasoline Citroen with a machine gun (the price starts from 792,900 rubles). So it is unlikely that it will noticeably revive sales. What is missing buyers? Three workers with bright and interesting design! That's what C4 loved so much before. But soon the fans of the original Citroen will have a reason to look into the dealer centers in March to our roads, DS4 leaves. Maybe he will correct the situation?

Vadim Gagarin
Photo: Vitaly Kabyshev


 
Specifications
Body
Type Hatchback
Engine
Working volume, cm 1598
Power, hp at rpm 120 at 6000
Torque, nm at rpm 160 at 4250
Sizes, weight, volumes
Length, mm 4329
Width, mm 1789
Height, mm 1498
Wheel base, mm 2608
Clearance, mm.
Curb weight, kg 1270
Dynamic characteristics
Acceleration from space up to 100 km / h, from 12.5
Maximum speed, km / h 188
Fuel consumption
Middle conventional fuel consumption, l / 100 km 6.9
City, l / 100 km 10.0
Highway, l / 100 km 5.1
 

Source: AUTO.Mail.Ru.