Test Drive Citroen C4 Hatchback since 2010 Hatchback

Citroen C4. Gloss

Citroen C4. Price: from 574,900 p. On sale: May 2011

Noisy presentations about the appearance in our market new Citroen C4 ended. The official and pathos were a lot. Now it's all in the past, and in the present? But what is in the present, we decided to find out by taking the car to the test

Test pilot
Oleg Kalaushin, 42 years old, car journalist, driving experience 23 years old, personal car - Renault Logan

Now, when you stand next to the car on the street, and not in the showroom, you understand why everything was so glossy and exquisitely at the presentation. The new C4 turned out from Citroen is painfully solid. From the previous originality and lightness there is no trace. Growing in dimensions, he grown and morally. Everything is serious, everything is impressive, and all this is displayed. Even in her worship headlights read easy arrogance. Well, in the end, probably, this car has the right to cultivate, because in many indicators he really is higher than classmates. In any case, the progenitor of the class is clearly superior to the dimensions, and the trunk is at all the largest among direct competitors. However, maybe on this superiority and end? Well, let's see. And where do gloss usually begin to flip? That's right. From the end, we start and we, or rather, from the trunk, since he is the biggest and so sile.

Yes, the storeroom is really noble, as much as 380 liters, and if they refuse the spare track, then all 408. But who will refuse it from it, we live in Europe. But the discontent from the fact that with the second seats of the second row it turns out a fairly high step, it seems, it will appear every time you need to carry something more. Well, okay, not every day, refrigerators and washing machines are taken.

We are moving in our research on. Well, the second row is quite spacious. You can even say, uyugen. Is that the armrest lacks. Well, this is the cost of configuration. And the places above the head is abused, and in the width completely. Yes, and the legs will not stretch, of course, but it is possible to change their position without difficulty, and therefore, in the far distance they will not be lit. The seats themselves, by the way, have an easy profile that in itself also adds comfort. However, this can only be said about the extreme places. Smear in the middle is not too convenient because of the same profile. So, in the new C4, the third is extra.

Moving on. The driver's place, how to say, surprised. As if this car was not at one time the transparent display of the instrument panel, a fixed steering wheel, and much of the fact that he was so surprised and pleased in the previous C4. Now the solidity and practicality reign here. The feeling such that I got in the car class above, rather than declared. And which panel ... so much to reproach her in the dubbing cause is not. It is like fresh bread. Sorry so in your hands, let go, and it will take the original form. Ultraen, of course, a little, but on the touch panel is really very soft. Not bad and central console. The control knobs of the audio system and the system of ventilation and heating are located quite well and negative emotions are not caused. Racked only the display. He seems from the nineties. On a black background, orange pixels draw square machines, square benzoophosteral columns, a square radio. And even the waves from it are square. In general, sadly it looks like a solid background. By the way, about the background. The background of the display of the display and the instrument panel can be changed, the truth is not in our case. To do this, you need to take the car in the EXCLUSIVE configuration. By the way, it is it supplemented and the function of massage of the front seats, and the control system of blind zones, and a lot more than. However, even in the TENDANCE configuration, the machine is well equipped. And the fact that the front seats do not have electrically regulators, it does not matter. The main thing is that they are comfortable and allow you to quickly occupy the only position at which you feel most comfortable. By the way, a slightly flattened steering wheel is also quite comfortable. His especially should appreciate those who like to lower the steering wheel on their knees. Yes, and it looks quite solid. And if you still remember that it is multifunctional

The shield of devices was pleasant. In any case, three dials with numbers running on them and stripes look spectacularly. Only speedometer remained analog. However, his testimony may be duplicated by huge numbers in the middle of the scale. As for the controls of light and janitors, they remained traditional on the new Citroen C4.

Finishing over the gloss, we finally got to the first lanes. That is, to a motor with a box. The latter on the car is two. This is either a 5-speed mechanic, or a 4-speed automatic. But as for the engines, they are only one he. One. 120-strong, 4-cylinder, 1.6-liter. The wealth of choice is small. Nevertheless, it is necessary to pay tribute that with him and on the handle the car can be quite dynamic. Moreover, what to twist the engine from the soul. Noise isolation is pretty good, and therefore a dumping roar, which can hear at the time of intensive overclocking from the street, is not so expelled in the cabin.

And in the cabin practically do not feel unevenness on the roads. No, of course, if the pit is serious, it will not be impossible to notice it. But small irregularities before the passengers are practically not achieved. The C4 suspension is really pretty comfortable. However, comfortable for the passenger does not mean comfortable for the driver. And when you enter the next turn, you realize that her hardness is clearly not enough for such a ride. And the roll resists not enough, and pegs, and throw off the trajectory. But if you remember about the dynamic characteristics, then you understand that, by and large, it is clearly not to ride in extreme modes on it, and for the average driver, the suspension is optimal, and a reasonable compromise between comfort and handling, in principle, found.

And in general, the new Citroen C4 is one big compromise. But how else, because the gloss should like many, otherwise it is already a specialized edition, which is not so great for which demand ...
 
Love not love
Such a display looks like an anachronism. But in the configuration of Exclusive it is dualifice. Old-fashioned
Recess in the trunk trim place under the regular portable lamp. Care
Support on such a headrest is one pleasure. Conveniently
 
Driving
The dynamics of the car is not impressive, but according to the average standards is quite acceptable. Well the car is ruling, but beyond the fraction of decency is still better not to go out. To the brakes do not find face canceled.
   
Salon
Spacious and comfortable. Quality of finishing materials at a high level. Especially pleased with the soft panel of instruments. Thought ergonomics. The volume of the trunk pleasantly surprised.
   
Comfort
The greatest extent of this device is defined as possible, suspension and noise insulation. Set of options big.
   
Safety
In the ABS database. Two airbags.
   
Price
Interesting in basic configuration.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Spacious salon, bulk trunk, worthy noise insulation, quality of interior finishing materials, comfortable suspension.
- mediocre dynamics. There is no common chassis when maneuvering.
 
Technique characteristics
Dimensions - 4329x1789x1491 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1598 cm3, 120 l.c. / 6000 min-1, 160 nm / 4250 min-1
Transmission - Mechanical, 5-speed
Dynamics - 193 km / h, 10.8 s to 100 km / h
Fuel consumption - 6.2 l / 100 km in mix. Cycle
Competitors - Ford Focus, Opel Astra, Peugeot 308, Renault Megane, VW Golf
 
Our opinion
Undoubtedly, the new Citroen C4 has acquired a lot. He became more former. It will delight future owners and rather rich basic equipment, both in terms of comfort and in terms of security. However, the originality, namely, it was so famous for her model with Chevron, he lost that, quite possible, disappointing many.

Firm four
Mikhail Medvedev, car journalist

The owners of the previous C4 do not need to be explained, where the main pain of their cars is located. Of course, we are talking about a 4-speed automatic transmission AL4. In its kind, this is a unique transmission. It is distinguished by a completely unconditional algorithm of work in Drive mode, tangible pushs when switching, the accelerator recessed into the floor. At the same time, Al4 requires a lot of gasoline and increased attention from mechanics, because this wonderful box is not different reliability.

To confess frankly, many were waiting for the new generation C4 and completely new ACP. But the French were limited to, so to speak, restyling transmissions. So, Meet: an updated box that received the AT8 index. But what is different from the sadly famous Al4? If briefly, then the new hydrotransformer and the reconfigured control software. A little, it would seem, but the changes for the better are obvious, it is worth only to touch. The behavior of C4 with the ACP is noticeably more adequately than before: the automatic stopped in indecision to jump from transmission transfer, it thinks noticeably less when switching and in general leaves a more favorable impression. Of course, the stretched gear ratios of the transmission still do not allow you to call the automatic C4 with a temperamental car, but also the Duri is noticeably less. Well, if, according to the French, the new hydrotransformer will also be more living than the predecessor, then the real holiday came to the street of Citroen owners.


Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov



 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [August 2011]