Test Drive Citroen DS4 since 2010 hatchback
Test drive Citroen DS4: Blue Dream!
Kolesa.ru portal, without looking at prejudice and trying to be tolerant, spent all day in the company of a beautiful and stylish, but not quite ordinary car, which also became the most beloved among European gays. Of course, the automotive titles of Europe, whatever they are, Russian buyers are not a decree. Moreover, when it comes to a group of people whose worldview, to put it mildly, is dispersed with generally accepted. In any case, the car preferences of the European sophisticated majority differ significantly from the landlined requirements of the majority of domestic motorists.
But when it comes to beauty, neither a pragmatic dachanik, nor glamor stylist-fashion designer will not be able to pass by the fourth creation, which is part of the Citroenovsky premium line DS. Once who, who, and the designers of the Peugeot-Citroen concern know a sense in creating truly attractive cars, even if the car is a banal golf class hatchback.
Describe the muscular lines, the elegance of the submarines and the sophistication of each individual part, incredibly harmoniously assembled into a single image, is useless. It must be seen, and it is desirable to appear, and not in the photos. Calculate the title of handsome in the C-class with Citroen DS4 may, perhaps, Alfa Romeo Giulietta, whose debut is postponed on the Russian market. Particularly spectacular among the French, it turned out the aft part with the bizarre rear doors, where the handles are a continuation of the inclined wedge-shaped windows. Yes, that is, the rear windows in DS4 are not opening under any circumstances.
And all because the car is actually positioned by Citroen as a coupe with the door formula 3 + 2. And trying to get to the second row of seats, and, especially, get out of it, you understand why that seems to be full of full, the rear flaps received the status +2. If still succeeds to group your body and penetrate the passenger compartment at the subsoil of the passenger compartment, then only after the back is like the back of the rear rack and wing.
Rear sofa Citroen DS4 with narrow opening
However, passengers will change anger to mercy as soon as the door shut down, being on a comfortable sofa in a pleasant darkness created by the anthracite ceiling. The only thing that, most likely, will want the high inhabitants of the rear row, it is in the arms of the front armchairs.
As it should be a coupe, all its attention Citroen DS4 focused around the front sedimons. The front panel architecture stylistically repeats the interior of the usual C4, but it is flattered from high quality and more pleasant in the glance and touch of materials. Of course, this is not a premium, but not now. But the bucket chairs are misleading with their sports aesthetics: the side support rollers are soft, and the seats themselves are wide enough to make the body of the average of the human figure. But there is a massage (!), Let and simple: two artificial fists unobtrusively pushing the area of \u200b\u200bthe lower back. In a long road, even such a warm-up can be a pleasant addition.
Interior Citroen DS4.
Front chairs have a massage function
In general, the level of equipment DS4 for such a class of cars is really exhaustive and not devoid of interesting options, like a proprietary panoramic windshield with leaving visors, or an almost completely digital instrument panel with eight colors of the backlight colors. Moreover, confused in managing all these frills: the appointment of most buttons and levers will be intuitive, especially those who are behind the wheel of the models of the Peugeot Citroen concern is not the first time. Addictive will require only the steering wheel connected by keys and wheels.
The flap is original, but not very informative
Central Console Citroen DS4
But in the menu of the multimedia system, you can get lost, especially if you do not know any of the European languages. In general, we not first note that the French from PSA are at all hurry to adapt information electronics to the demands of the Russian market, although it has already done almost all manufacturers, including competitors from Renault.
Russian maps in regular navigation
On DS4 on the great and mighty translated messages of the side computer. All other menus and submenu, causing the greatest questions, exclusively on the Bourgeois Move. Moreover, on the map of the regular navigation, for which in Citroen is asked more than 40,000 rubles, our immense homeland looks like a large black spot, on the border of which all roads from Europe end. The large interface screen itself, which all secondary information is displayed, chasing godlessly: to read information from it on a sunny day almost impossible. Especially when there are only a moment in motion, to distract from well-minded management.
The Citroen DS4 is based on a well-known and not a new PF2 platform, at which there were still first Citroen C4 and Peugeot 307. But the French engineers who were engaged in the convection of DS4, apparently, managed to squeeze the maximum opportunity from the design, imprisoned by improving the handling with Comfort. Moreover, each of the two concepts existence is separately perceived by one.
Driving a car is really nice. Tight, even at low speeds, the steering wheel is 100% informative. For each of his deviation, DS4 should go there, where he sent him - quickly, obediently and for sure. Moreover, the Frenchman does it without any deviations from the trajectory and frightening rolls, even despite the fairly primitive, according to today's standards, half-dependent suspension design and increased center of gravity (DS4 clearance is 30 mm higher than that of C4). Purchase a high-speed limit of turning on premium Citroen is a pleasure.
Disclose the possibilities of the chassis is called by the only gasoline engine 1.6, but, in three options for forsing. The weakest 120-strong and most powerful 200-strong version of the DS4 is equipped with exclusively mechanical gearbox. We got to the test, potentially, the most popular performance with a motor with a capacity of 150 horsepower and the Japanese six-speed AIST machine. For most buyers, the defining criterion will be the automatic transmission. The classic hydrotransformer box works quite quickly and smoothly, and the turbocharged engine has a good reserve of elasticity, realizing a traction moment in the range from 1400 to 4000 revolutions. In fact, Citroen most responsible responds to pressing the accelerator pedal somewhere from 3000 rpm. The main thing is not to expect from the 150-strong Citroen DS4 anything supernatural. As Motorists Rolls-Roys would say, sufficient power. Actually, to make another stylish city lighter in Citroen and were not going to concentrating on comfort.
And this attention is felt from the very first minutes of staying in the cabin. Closing the door behind you, all the prosperity of the street sounds of the megalpolis remains outside the window. Noise isolation from DS4 Excellent: regardless of the speed of movement, there will be no engine that will not have a motor that operates at maximum turns, no tires absorbing asphalt at high speed. Moreover, Citroen is trying to protect the inhabitants of the cabin and from road adversity, passing the blows of only frankly large Colds.
Summing up the test, you can state the fact that Citroen, bringing to mind in all parameters of the usual C4, created an excellent car, which could not carefully argue with more famous classmates. Comfortable, well equipped, moderately dynamic, incredibly stylish and able to delight driving. Probably, this is the only case in my life when I agree with the opinion of Well, you understand whose.
Citroen DS4 price Citroen DS4 is available in Russia in three sets, with a motor in three power options, and with three gearboxes.
The basic version of Chic 1.6 5mt (120 hp) is offered for 757,000 rubles. Given the number of options included in regular equipment, and the set of driving advantages, such a price looks quite attractive. ABS C ESP, 6 airbags, air conditioning, full electric circuit, heated front seats, MP3 magnetol, onboard laptop, cruise control, fog lights and alloy wheels All this is already in DS4.
The second equipment SO Chic is more expensive per 84,000 rubles and richer by two-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, rain and light sensors, a massage function in the front chairs, Bluetooth, USB connector, improved decorative interior decoration, the ability to order a set of additional options and stylistic individualization car.
The most inexpensive 150-strong DS4 C automatic in the performance of CHIC will cost 861,000 rubles. Participated in our DS4 1.6 6AT SO CHIC test with additional options in the form of anterior parking sensor, the control system of blind zones, combined interior trim fabric / leather, a regular navigation system and painting metallic, pulled at 1,029,500 rubles.
By selecting with the same engine and box for 1,027,000 rubles, the maximum performance of Sport Chic, pay extra for a fully leather interior, exterior packages, front parking sensors, blind zone control system and regular alarm no longer have to be.
And the top 200-strong DS4 with a six-speed mechanic is only available performed by Sport Chic for 1,107,000 rubles. Selecting the portal Kolesa.ru.
If you drop prejudice and objectively evaluate the work of the French, then the overestimated cost of DS4 looks quite adequate, especially if you remember about generous equipment.
The version with a 150-strong engine and automatic machine in the SO-Chic configuration, in our opinion, is a golden mean, which will not allow me to regret the lack of capacity of the base engine, or the absence of a machine, when 200 horsepower will be ruined in the next urban jam.
Moreover, regular equipment is quite enough in order not to look into the list of additional options. For myself, we would have added a combined interior finish (5000 rubles), the control system of blind zones with front parking sensors (15,000 rubles), metallic color (14,000 rubles) and advanced Hi-Fi magnet class with 8 speakers, subwoofer and amplifier (22 000 rubles). Total: Million and one thousand rubles.
Citroen DS4: Business Case
As already mentioned, the DS4 is based on the Universal Platform of the PSA concern, on which many Citroen and Peugeot passenger models are built. The main disadvantage of this cart is a semi-dependent rear suspension, which is a twisted beam. Such a design is negative about the passage of medium and large irregularities, causing discomfort at the rear passengers. But, it is more reliable and cheaper in service than a multi-dimensional system.
Overall dimensions Citroen DS4
An acquaintance in many models of the Peugeot-Citroen concern gasoline engine 1.6, developed by joint efforts with BMW, is at the atmospheric version (EP6) and the turbocharged (EP6DT). Despite the excellent characteristics, the loud names of the creators and the timing chain system, according to customer reviews, the engine turned out to be quite capricious. First of all, the power unit is very demanding on the quality of the fuel: the candles do not always digest gasoline even from branded gas stations. In 90% of cases, the oxygen sensor of the exhaust system fails for the same reason. We systematically arise problems with the turbine. However, it is often in its malfunction to be to blame for themselves customers who ignore the recommendations of the dealers for installing turbo timers or a gentle operating regime.
But to the automatic six-speed transmission of AISIN, which came to replace the most successful Al4 box, claims neither on the ride or technical characteristics yet.
The five-speed mechanic, docked to a 120-strong motor, is quite reliable, but differs rather long and not the most butt strokes of the lever, which may not like active drivers. But a manual box with six steps for the 200-strong engine of these shortcomings is devoid.
Service cost Until recently, all the passenger models of Peugeot and Citroen with gasoline engines (except models 107 and 4007) were serviced every 20,000 km or a year, which was a very profitable advantage, especially for those whose annual mileage was above this value.
Now, reducing the possible warranty costs, the French manufacturer in voluntarily forced Russians to change oil and oil filter every 10,000 km, and all other regulations, as before, occur every 20,000 km. What spoiled the financial attractiveness of operating costs.
As noted above, the EP6 engine has a chain in the GRM drive, which automatically cancels its replacement, which in the belt systems is usually the most expensive regulatory. At 120,000 km of mileage or six years, as a rule, only tension rollers are replaced.
Another economically favorable feature of Citroen DS4 C ACP is the lack of need to change the oil in the box. It is flooded for the entire service life, though, the masters of the dealer centers are still recommended to replace it with 60,000 km for every fire
The cost of regulatory maintenance for Citroen DS4 6ACP (150 hp), taking into account the value of original consumables and works produced in the Dealer Center.
10,000 km. Replacing the oil, oil filter about 4500 rubles.
20 000 km. TO-1. Replacing oil, oil, fuel, air and cabin filters + full diagnostics of all car systems about 9000 rubles.
30,000 km. Replacing the oil, oil filter about 4500 rubles.
40 000 km. TO-2. Replacing oil, oil, fuel, air and cabin filters, replacement of spark plugs + full diagnostics of all car systems about 11,000 rubles.
50,000 km. Replacing the oil, oil filter about 4500 rubles.
60 000 km. TO-3. Replacing oil, oil, fuel, air and cabin filters + full diagnostics of all car systems about 9000 rubles.
Total: 42 500 rubles for 3 years of average exploitation. According to our colleagues, it costs the content of the same amount ... Lada Priory for the same period and mileage.
Citroen DS4 competitors in the Russian market
To choose direct competitors to French not that coupe, not the hatchback, and even with claims to join the premium segment, it turned out to be a difficult task.
From the point of view of positioning, the model is in the borderline state between the basic equipment of such recognized authorities as AUDI A3 Sportback and BMW 1-Series, as well as top or charged versions of ordinary five-door hatchbacks, like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and SEAT LEON FR. Moreover, for comparable money, the first noticeably loses the Citroen in the equipment, compensating for this with their status, and the second, winning in the dynamics, cannot boast of bright individuality. The last parameter, although it is sufficiently subjective, is still often determining in this automotive segment.
And if you give in to the convictions of Citroen marketers and in the shower to believe that the DS4 is a coupe, then you can still remember the Volkswagen Scirocco, and Volvo C30. In general, there is something to choose from. And this is the rare case when the brain is better to turn off and trust in his heart
Source: Magazine "Wheel" [April 2012]
