CITROEN C4 CUTS COST OF MOTORING

The pretty little Citroen has the company’s distinctive front end with the interlocking gears taking pride of place in the centre of the grille

Yet another reduced price offering from a European car maker – this time the iconic French marque, Citroen, with one of its C4 variants.

Fuelled by the ever increasing car sales strength in Australia, the rise of our dollar and the moribund nature of the European auto market, Citroen is offering its C4 Seduction 1.6L e-HDi Diesel EGS (is that the most complicated car name you’ve ever come across…) from a mere $25,990 driveaway. This is a saving of $2000 on the previous recommended retail price. On-road costs had to be added to that old price, pushing it close to $30,000 in many areas.

Citroen C4 Seduction 1.6L (etc) is powered by a direct injection turbo-diesel engine that features the company’s Stop & Start system. This puts the engine into idle mode as the driver decelerates and turns it off when the C4 comes to a stop. The moment the driver takes their foot off the brake, the engine restarts, doing so with a minimum of the irritating vibration that can be a pain in some four-cylinder cars with a stop-start setup.

Citroen tells us its Stop & Start helps reduce CO2 emissions by about five grams per km. Even better, fuel consumption is pulled down by 15 per cent in heavy-duty city driving.

The 1.6 turbo-diesel engine is mated to an Electronic Gearbox System (EGS) automated manual gearbox that provides either full automatic shifts, or manual changes via the steering wheel mounted paddles.

The pretty little Citroen C4 hatch has the company’s distinctive front end with the interlocking gears that form the company’s logo. But it has to be said the rest of the vehicle doesn’t really create any excitement in its shape.

Citroen C4 is a five-door hatch that has good interior space for four adults, five without a huge amount of rubbing together. It provides a comfortable ride. It is neatly balanced and will appeal to those wanting to get clear of the competent but boring Asian range of cars.

Even this low-cost Citroen comes as standard with driver assistance technologies that include ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Braking Assistance (EBA), intelligent traction control and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).

Should these primary safety items not save you from having a crash the C4 is fitted with six airbags (driver, front passenger, side and curtain).

The driveaway offer for the Citroen C4 Seduction 1.6l e-HDi Diesel EGS is available until June 30, 2013. But only while stocks lasts, so it might be a good idea not to tarry overmuch if you’re interested in something different in the small car field.