C4 [Official] 2018 Citroën C4 Cactus + "Hydraulic Suspension"

[Centurion]

2018 Citroen C4 Cactus

NEW CITROËN C4 CACTUS

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Length: 4.17 m
Width: 1.71 m
Height: 1.48 m
Wheelbase: 2.60 m
Boot capacity: 358 l


Citroën is unveiling the New C4 Cactus, its new compact hatchback. The C4 Cactus has been substantially upgraded, adopting the classic cues of the segment in terms of technology and engines while continuing to stand apart through its singular personality and comfort. The car's styling is as bold and modern as ever but gains enhanced status. Inside, the New C4 Cactus offers unrivalled comfort, immersing occupants in a true cocoon. Benefiting from the Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme, the New C4 Cactus is the first model in Europe to feature the suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™ (PHC), making the "magic carpet ride" effect accessible to the greatest number, and the first vehicle in the world to boast Advanced Comfort seats. With its unique personality, the New C4 Cactus is the last word in ultra-comfortable hatchbacks, set to shake up the market in first-quarter 2018.


Following the launch of the C3 in 2016 and the SUV offensive in 2017 with the C3 Aircross and C5 Aircross, Citroën is taking a further step forward in the roll-out of its product offensive and surprising the world once more with its new compact hatchback, the New C4 Cactus. The new model brings a breath of fresh air to the hatchback segment by blending the singular personality of the C4 Cactus with the class-leading comfort of the C4. The model's status has also been boosted through the addition of segment essentials including 12 driver assistance systems, 3 connectivity technologies, engines developing up to 130 bhp and prestigious styling.


With its modern and distinctive design, the New C4 Cactus brings occupants an all-new experience of well-being. To that end, Citroën drew on its technological heritage in hydraulic suspension systems. This technology has been reinterpreted to become accessible to the greatest number. The New C4 Cactus is the first model in Europe to be equipped with the suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™ (PHC), and the first in the world to feature Advanced Comfort seats, providing all-new seating and ride comfort.



The New C4 Cactus brings a breath of fresh air and originality to the compact hatchback segment.

• A HATCHBACK WITH A UNIQUE PERSONALITY: A BOLD STYLING
  The New C4 Cactus naturally expresses its singular nature through a new, broad and expressive front end, restyled wings and doors, and a generous and smooth rear end home to new 3D-effect LED lights. It shakes up the ultra-conventional cues in the compact hatchback segment through its well-proportioned and generous shapes, forming a pure and monolithic body design. The model's 2.60 m wheelbase and short overhangs ensure compact dimensions for excellent agility and handling while providing all the spaciousness expected in this segment. It features classic Citroën graphics underscoring the body flow, including Airbump® on the lower part of the doors, a continuous glass waistline and floating roof, a two-tiered front end and a broad 3D-effect LED light signature at the rear. It offers 31 exterior customisation possibilitieswith nine body colours and four Color Packs comprising refined touches of colour with which customers can create a car in their own image. Inside, the functional, pure and uncluttered cabin immediately inspires a feeling of serenity. No fewer than five opulent and distinctive interior ambiances are on offer, providing brightness, softness and refinement.
• THE ULTRA-COMFORTABLE HATCHBACK: A NEW DIMENSION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

The New C4 Cactus takes automotive comfort into a new dimension. Taking advantage of all the components of the Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme, the New C4 Cactus is the first model in Europe to feature technological advances for modern and all-encompassing comfort. It boasts extraordinary ride comfort thanks to the European-first implementation of suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™ (PHC) that filters out road imperfections and gives passengers the feeling of travelling on a magic carpet. It is also the world's first car to feature the new Advanced Comfort seats, offering top-flight approach and postural comfort. The New C4 Cactus also makes a generational leap in terms of acoustic insulation and day-to-day equipment. Passengers travel in complete ease and relaxation thanks to 12 driver assistance systems and 3 connectivity technologies. The car's high-performance and efficient engines also contribute to the pleasure and peace of mind felt at the wheel.



"Citroën's objective is to be the benchmark brand on comfort. And as a full-line brand, to bring this all-new comfort to the greatest number. With the New C4 Cactus and the introduction of the suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™, we are bringing motorists an original compact hatchback fully in tune with its times." Linda Jackson, CEO of Citroën

• A COMPREHENSIVE CUSTOMISATION

Outside, the New C4 Cactus is eminently customisable and elegant, with a total of 31 exterior combinations. The palette of nine body colours highlights personality with hues that are timeless (Polar White, Obsidian Black, Platinum Grey and Cumulus Grey), fresh (Sport Red, Tapenade Grey) and refined (Emerald Blue, Pearl White, Deep Purple).



Four stylish Color Packs are available for customers looking to add even more personality and elegance: Glossy Black, Silver Chrome, Anodised White and Anodised Deep Red. These restrained touches of colour, playing on contrasts with the body colour, subtly underline the Airbump® on the lower part of the front doors and the lower part of the front bumper.



And for even more customisation, customers can choose from a selection of five alloy wheels: Grey 16" SQUARE and Black 16" SQUARE, for their purity and elegance, as well as Black 17" CROSS, Two-Tone Black/Alu 17" CROSS, Two-Tone White/Alu 17" CROSS, the last two diamond-cut for an even more high-end and graphic look.



Inside, the cabin materials are pleasant to the eye and touch, particularly the dashboard covering in soft, textured material coordinated with the seats. The New C4 Cactus is available with five elegant and warm ambiances for customising the cabin:

• The Standard ambiance is clean and pure with Mica Grey fabric seats, a grey dashboard and grey armrests and straps on the doors.
• The Metropolitan Red ambiance heightens the impression of space through its lightness and refinement, with Beige Silica Fabric seats, a dark red strip at the top of the seats, a dark red dashboard and beige armrests and straps on the doors and Top Box glove box.
• The Wild Grey ambiance expresses more vitality and dynamism with Grey Silica Fabric seats, a pale grey strip at the top of the seats, a grey dashboard and grey armrests and straps on the doors and Top Box glove box.
• The Hype Grey ambiance boasts an elegant premium feel with Black Grained Leather seats, a grey dashboard, and grey armrests and straps on the doors and Top Box glove box.
• The Hype Red ambiance is all about exceptional prestige, with Beige Nappa Leather seats, a dark red Alcantara strip at the top of the seats, a dark red dashboard and beige armrests and straps on the doors and Top Box glove box.

1. THE ULTRA-COMFORTABLE HATCHBACK: A NEW DIMENSION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

• RIDE COMFORT: THE MOST COMFORTABLE COMPACT HATCHBACK

A EUROPEAN FIRST: SUSPENSION WITH PROGRESSIVE HYDRAULIC CUSHIONS ™ (PHC)

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After the C5 Aircross in China, the New C4 Cactus is the first model in Europe to be equipped with the suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™ (PHC), a Citroën innovation set for roll-out on future range vehicles. Citroën's expertise in suspension is undisputed. For 98 years, suspension comfort has been embedded in the Brand's genes. And over the years, customers have grown attached to Citroën’s comfort, which is unique on the market. Drawing on its expertise and the know-how of its engineers, Citroën developed the new suspension system to improve the filtering quality typical of Citroën and so dear to its customers.


Some 20 patents were filed in the development of the new suspension. The way it works is quite simple. While conventional suspension systems comprise a shock absorber, a spring and a mechanical stop, the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™ (PHC) system adds two hydraulic stops on either side, one for compression, the other for decompression. The suspension therefore works in two stages to match how the car is used.

• For light compression and decompression, the spring and shock absorber control vertical movements together with no assistance required from the hydraulic stops. But these stops gave engineers greater freedom in the car’s clearance, providing a “magic carpet ride” effect giving the impression that the car is gliding over uneven ground.
• During major impacts, the spring and shock absorber work together with the hydraulic compression or decompression stops, which gradually slow the movement to avoid jerks at the end of the range. Unlike a traditional mechanical stop, which absorbs energy but returns a part of it, the hydraulic stop absorbs and dissipates this energy. This means there is no bouncing.

With this innovative technical solution, the New C4 Cactus brings motorists peerless comfort and a "magic carpet ride" while taking nothing away from handling and driving pleasure.

 

[Centurion]

The suspension could be a game changer as hatchbacks and even entry level crossovers like the GLA and X1 are occasionally jittery over poor surfaces. Adaptive suspension is hardly ever an option on cars at this price range, leaving you with no choice but to suck up to the jittery ride or spec 15 inch alloys. The VW Polo only just now received adaptive dampers as an option.


I look forward to reviews of the C4 to find out how comfortable it is and whether cornering ability has benefited. However it won't be another few years that we will learn whether the system is reliable.

 

[Deleted member 25]

I love it.

 

[Rainer271]

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[Rolf]

I really like the way Citroen are bringing innovations like this to small cars. This is them at their best and a return to their innovative, wacky and different style and technology that really made them stand out from other main stream car manufacturers in the 1960's and 70's.