C4 [Official] 2014 Citroën C4 Cactus Revealed + Opinion Poll

[martinbo]

The production version of the 2014 Citroën C4 Cactus has been revealed ahead of its official launch later today. It represents a shift in the maker's strategy toward affordable utilitarianism without compromising on style or modern features.

Much of the styling direction remains intact from the concept car with some of the less feasible for production features - such as the floating C-Pillar graphic - being toned down. With a concerted eye on practicality, unique features like the knock-absorbing air-bumps on the flanks of the car have made the translation to production guise and add a level of practical durability to the vehicle.

It's minimalist yet modernly specced interior reflects a move toward simplification sans clutter without compromising on technological relevance.

The C4 Cactus sits in the burgeoning urban-crossover-lifestyle-thingymajiggy sector and competes with the likes of the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and PSA Group's own Peugeot 2008. It's a sector which portrays a somewhat surprising lack of German car equivalency (Mercedes Benz's GLA comes close in concept but not positioning thereby leaving just the Opel Antara) with VW AG's Q3/Tiguan and Q5 products occupying different classes.

So, in the grander, global sense of automotive consumerism what do you think of the Citroën C4 Cactus. Please vote in the poll.

 

[purplehenk]

I'd rather go for the option 'Not sure what to think..'

 

[Sunny]

Not sure how to vote. I like the interior. Abhor the exterior. I do like the idea of "affordable utilitarianism" - reminds me of Subaru - but rubber mats on the doors?

 

[martinbo]

^ Not rubber mats, Sunny - air-filled pockets called air bumps for mild ding protection.

Voting is easy: you either like it or you don't.

 

[Sunny]

^ Not rubber mats, Sunny - air-filled pockets called air bumps for mild ding protection.

Ah, anyway hate those for two reasons - 1. fugly. 2. The guy with it is not going to care when he whips his door wide open and dings the car next to it with out "air pockets".

 

[klier]

Ah, anyway hate those for two reasons - 1. fugly. 2. The guy with it is not going to care when he whips his door wide open and dings the car next to it with out "air pockets".

That's where the Ford door protectors should come into play

I voted don't like but there is something nice about certain parts. Interior is nice too.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Like, except the air pockets. And in true Citröen DNA, is quirky and different.

I applaud PSA for keep fighting and launching so many improved products in little time: 208, 2008, 308, 508, C4 Picasso, C Cactus, DS Line... Compare that to Fiat Group, which has even decided to kill Lancia and has important models like Punto and Bravo dating from mid 2000's

 

[LaArtist]

This is a joke..and i tend to take cars seriously..

But to someone else maybe cars are a joke..like wallpaper is to me..

I like funny prints on wallpapers.. some might take wallpapers seriously..

So maybe there is a market for it..

 

[Merc1]

Its quirky that's for sure. Still looks to be in the concept phase lol.


M

 

[Human]

Cockpit's bad looking, ungainly ugly dash.

The front smells like...

 

[Deleted member 25]

I seriously thought this was concept, whenever you like it or not, they have big cojones.

 

[martinbo]

Word from behind the scenes is new-gen PureTech 3 cylinder turbo engine and kerb weight less than a ton.

Remember how we all laughed at the Nissan Juke and yet now it is an absolute sales star? I'm hoping that this car becomes that for Citroen. This is not a car for us car nuts - we know what we like and why we like it. This is a car for people less inclined toward driving pleasure and more inclined toward mobility convenience. Look - it's no 21st century 2CV but the approach is in the same innovative spirit. I love seeing this stuff from Citroen because I want them to survive as one of industry's iconic car makers. It would a sad story - a world without Citroen - just as it's a sad story that SAAB is no longer around. Innovative and pioneering car makers deserve to succeed.

Go to see the myriad of fun colour combo at c4cactus.citroen.com

You can personalise your Citroën C4 Cactus by matching the body paint and Airbump®colour. Fancy Pearl White/Chocolate Airbump® or Hello Yellow/Black Airbump® Black ? 21 possible combinations … which one will you choose?

At your fingertips. The CITROËN C4 Cactus offers a spacious and attractive glove compartment, the Top Box, directly accessible on top of the dashboard. An achievement made possible thanks to the world exclusive 'Airbag In roof' technology. Ingenious.

'SOFA SPIRIT' FRONT SEATS
The pleasure of being together. With a sofa feel, the CITROËN C4 Cactus’ wide front seats instil a friendly atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and comfort.

PANORAMIC SUNROOF
Lets in the light, but is never too bright. The large panoramic sunroof bathes the interior in light and is treated with a cutting-edge thermal and UV coating to ensure the perfect driving environment, whatevever the weather. Now that's a bright idea!

Need help? Using the Park Assist feature, Citroën C4 Cactus automatically detects a space and parks in it. You simply follow the instructions for acceleration and braking, leaving the steering to the automated system.

The Airbump®, a world exclusive, innovative technology and the perfect blend of form and function, the Airbumps® are air-filled microcapsules, covered with a soft, yet tough skin. Available in a choice of four colours, they protect you from the little bumps and scrapes of everyday life.
Bounce back!

TOUCH DRIVE INTERFACE
The Citroën C4 Cactus’ 7” Touch Drive interface combines all the vehicle's functions into a single touchscreen tablet: navigation, air conditioning, media... A 100% digital, 100% intuitive interface.

 

[SCOTT27]

Wow this is really cool looking. Different innovative and very modern.

The outline is very reminiscent of the upcoming MINI Clubman in which it utilises a small wagon like outline
The MINI which will also be offered in raised all-wheel drive model , but also as a MINI One Clubman for entry customers.

 

[Giannis]

First of all, a like for your first post Martin is well deserved. It's been quite a long time since the last time I opened a new thread and the first post had something more than just a couple of photos and a link - something to think about, question your automotive principles and taste, a good and clever question that requires a tricky answer. Proper thinking material. Thanks for that!

Then, from the first look, I obviously don't like this car. My taste in cars is rather conservative and this one is simply too much. Air bubbles on the doors for protection? That's the material that is supposed to be wrapped around your electronic equipment during shipping, not around your car. Then comes the interior. It looks empty, in an effort to appear something like funky? I am not sure I know the correct words to describe what this C4 Cactus feels to me. If I were to use an example, I'd say that this is how I think of a potential buyer: A hipster guy that actually wants to buy a 2CV, but can't find a good example, doesn't know how to handle a stick or what a choke is and what it does, so he can't start his 2CV in the morning. He also needs a multimedia system, because you can't live without a touch screen, enough plugs to plug an iPhone, iPod, iPad, iMac, iBook and iHadEnough. Then he needs to stand out from the crowd, be different from your average Corolla and Civic. Have a weird colour combination that you can't easily forget, but because it's beautiful, but because it's very stupid. For him/her, it's a car that doesn't feel like a car - it feels like a smartphone with a protective case on four wheels. He can do anything and go anywhere with it. What matters is how good you look in it, not how it drives.

But isn't this what Citroen was once upon a time? The car of those that dared to be different. Sure, the line-up was bipolar, since there were funky/ quirky/ weird models and at the upper part of the line-up, amazing sedans that very few would buy, probably because of the badge. I will never forget a ride I had in a fully spec'ed 3.0 V6 XM. It was a revelation in comfort, putting the E-Class of its time to shame.

Would I buy a C4 Cactus? Hell no. Would I like being seen in one? Hell no. This is not me, heck I roll around in a beige Volvo sedan. Would I, though, like to see it in the road? Hmm, yes. Just one or more? Well, it's kind of cool, so more. Thinking of it for half an hours, this would be the perfect car for my unconventional friend - and we all have such a friend.

 

[jack]

i think its really good the word "empty" comes into your mind when you see this interieur, this was probably also the intention.
we have become used to cluttured interieur dashs with 1000 buttons. they have managed to clean up the traditional dash layout and the materials really give it a premium look - well done citroen.
the only thing that i don't like about this car seems to be the interface of both screens(the left is white black red, and the right one wants to be an iphone). the rest looks really refreshing.

 

[SCOTT27]

We are seeing the minimalist trend normally found in home interiors translate to the interior of the car now.
If we look at how we use technology today compared to around 10 years ago we are seeing less and less switchgear and controls in modern cars. Interfaces have now become self-taught that they are no longer alien to the concept.

One example is the first gen of BMW iDrive which was lambasted for its difficult premise and complexity. Today we have now caught up that such an innovation if it was released today would be more intuitive than before. Because it is part of our everyday lives.

But the C4 interior adopts the minimalist approach as BMW have done with the i3 , its simple , intuitive , stylish , innovative and individual.

We will see more of this.

 

[mini_cooper4]

I don't like it!
That doesn't mean I'm not impressed! There's 100% "Concept" in it yet it's a 100% Production car... WTH?
Kudos to Citroen! Big cojones indeed!

 

[Baron Grüner]

dont like it as a car, like it as a citroen
lol

 

[MikeJ]

There are many "adventurous" cars Citroën has built that I'm happy to see on the road (but wouldn't necessarily want to own myself). I don't see this being one of them, though... There's a whiff of "trying too hard to different" rather than "just being different for the heck of it" with this one. I'm sure the hipsters (or whatever they're called today) will like it.

 

[Mr Robert]

You know its going to be bad when there is a like/not poll...