Review: Citroën Mk.2 C4 hatch (2011-18)

Review: Citroën Mk.2-I C4 hatch (2011-15)

Overview

Released in October 2011, the Citroën Mk.2 Phase I (Mk.2-I) C4 hatch was a small, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Mulhouse, France, the front-wheel drive Mk.2 C4 was available with a choice of three 1.6-litre engines – naturally aspirated petrol, turbocharged petrol and turbo-diesel – and Attraction, Seduction and Exclusive editions; the full range is given in the table below.

The turbo-diesel ‘e-HDI’ variants featured idle-stop (i.e. engine shutdown when stationary), regenerative braking (using the kinetic energy of the wheels when braking or coasting to recharge the battery) and low-rolling resistance tyres to minimise fuel consumption. The e-HDI and Turbo variants were also fitted with Citroën’s semi-automatic Electronic Gearbox System (‘EGS’). The clutchless EGS featured automatic and manual modes, with the latter controlled via steering wheel gearshift paddles.

Compared to the Citroën Mk.1 C4 which it replaced, the Mk.2 C4 was 50 mm longer (at 4330mm), 20 mm wider (1970mm) and 30 mm higher (1490mm). However, weight-saving strategies – including laser welding for the roof and doors – meant that the Mk.2 C4’s kerb weight was similar to its predecessor. The Mk.2 C4 had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Citroën C4 hatch included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, front seatbelt pretensioners and front and outer rear seatbelt load limiters. The Exclusive editions were also fitted with a blind-spot monitoring system which utilised four sensors in the front and rear bumpers to detect vehicles and would warn the driver by illuminating the LEDs in the corresponding door mirror.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Mk.2 C4 received a five star safety rating which included a 90 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 85 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the front offset crash test, occupant protection was generally rated as good, although chest and lower leg protection for the driver was rated as adequate. In the side impact test, chest protection was adequate; in the more severe side impact test, however, chest protection was rated as weak. Under ANCAP’s methodology, this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.89 out of 37.

Features: C4 Attraction, Seduction and Exclusive

Standard features for the C4 Attraction included a six speaker sound system with MP3-compatibility, air conditioning, a ventilated glove box, cruise control with speed limiter, split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power-operated and heated door mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a 12 volt power outlet and an immobiliser.

The C4 Seduction was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, an auxiliary USB input, cruise control with ‘favourite’ settings, Bluetooth connectivity, front fog lights (with cornering function), a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, power windows, a power-operated park brake, rear privacy glass and trip computer,

Beyond this, the C4 Exclusive added 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, power adjustable front seats with massage function, leather trim, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, a ski hatch, power folding door mirrors (with LEDs), a 12 volt rechargeable torch and electrochromatic rear-view mirror. For models with the EGS transmission, the Exclusive editions were also fitted with a refrigerated compartment in the centre console.

From February 2013, the Exclusive editions were fitted with satellite navigation as standard.

2012 Citroën C3 Seduction Limited Edition

In July 2012, a Seduction Limited Edition model was released; compared to the standard Seduction, the Limited Edition added dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, power folding door mirrors and an electrochromatic rear-view mirror.

Related links

• Press Kit: Citroen Mk.2-I C4 hatch (October 2011)
• Specifications: Citroën Mk.2-I C4 (April 2014)
• Specifications: Citroën Mk.2-I C4 (September 2014)

Review: Citroën Mk.2-II C4 hatch (2015-18)

Overview

Released in Australia in August 2015, the Citroën Mk.2 Phase II (Mk.2-II) C4 hatch was powered by Citroën’s 1.2-litre ‘PureTech’ turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which featured:

• Direct petrol injection;
• A stop-start function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic; and,
• Complied with Euro 6 emissions standards.

The Mk.2-II C4 hatch was offered in Seduction and Exclusive editions, while a six-speed Aisin EAT6 automatic transmission was standard across the range.

The Citroën Mk.2-II C4 hatch could be identified by its new headlights, revised front bumpers and 3D-effect tail-lights. Inside, a seven-inch touchscreen was introduced such that satellite navigation was fitted as standard across the range.

Safety equipment

Compared to its Mk.2-I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Citroën Mk.2-II C4 was unchanged; as before, the C4 Exclusive was further equipped with a blind spot monitoring system. Active at speeds between 12 km/h and 140 km/h, the system monitored an area from the front rear view mirror to about 5 metres behind the rear bumper and 3.5 metres on the side of the vehicle.

Brakes

The Citroen Mk.2-II C4 had 283 mm by 26 mm ventilated front disc brakes and 268 mm by 12 mm solid rear disc brakes.

Features: C4 Seduction

Standard features for the Citroën C4 Seduction included 16 x 6.0J ‘Boston’ alloy wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres (with a space-saver spare steel wheel), a six speaker surround sound system with CD player, USB input, Bluetooth connectivity and 8GB music storage, a seven-inch colour touchscreen with e-MyWay satellite navigation, ‘Rayados Mistral’ black cloth upholstery, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, LED daytime running lights, directional front fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, 1/3 to 2/3 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel remote central locking, power adjustable and heated mirrors with folding function, power windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an electrochrome rear view mirror, courtesy and reading lights, rear privacy glass, 12 volt power sockets (in the centre console and boot), a trip computer and an immobiliser. Furthermore, the C4 Seduction had a digital-18ly instrument panel.

Features: C4 Exclusive

The Citroën C4 Exclusive was further equipped with 17 x 7.0J ‘Miami’ alloy wheels with 225/45 R17 tyres (with a full-size spare steel wheel), ‘Tissu Mistral Saint/Dinamica and Cuir Claudia’ cloth/leather upholstery, a power adjustable driver’s seat with massage function, front parking sensors, proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), memory settings for the door mirrors, kerbside mirror tilting on reverse, a ‘Cielo’ panoramic glass roof with power-operated blind, push-button start, automatic electric parking brake, rear arm rest, ski flap and chrome front door sills. Unlike the C4 Seduction, the C4 Exclusive had a customisable colour instrument panel with analogue dials.

Distinguishing visual cues for the C4 Exclusive include piano black and chrome door handles, and chrome highlights for the front fog lights and grille.

Related links

• Specifications: Citroën Mk.2-II C4 hatch (August 2015)

Related links

• Citroën Automobiles Australia: Citroën C4
• Wikipedia.org: Citroën C4 (second generation)