Photo: Stefan Baldauf
Citroen showed it’s new production-ready C4 Cactus last month at some French event, but its world debut was set to be made at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The crossover has now arrived there and visitors will be able to see it showcased around Citroen’s exquisite stand.
Closely following Citroen’s “Creative Technology” mantra, the new C4 Cactus is not just a crossover. It is something you’ve never seen before, just as other Citroen models.
The Cactus is probably the best example of combining design with cost reduction techniques. This 4,160 mm car here promises to solve every day driving problems while still looking awesome. That was engineers and designers’ homework for making this unique vehicle.
Being based on the Platform 1 architecture, the C4 Cactus is basically a Peugeot 2008 underneath, while the body has been shaped in the form of a funky but bold-looking crossover. It has absolutely nothing to do with the C4 on the badge and its even 200 kg lighter than it.
The light platform combined with either a 1-liter THP turbo gasoline and 1.4-liter diesel engine will drop CO2 emissions bellow 100 g/km, while the diesel unit will also make for a fuel consumption of about 3.1 l/100 km (hopefully).
The front end comes with those split headlamps, with separate LED daytime running lights, which can also be seen on the C4 Picasso, and unique rubber bumpers with “air bumps” which can also be found on the doors and at the back. Since people in France tend to park very tight and also having to literally push their way into a parking space, the rubber air bumps will keep the car dent and scratch free. So there you have it - another way of keeping costs down... in time.
However, most of the cost reduction program can be seen and not seen inside. Citroen used the cheapest materials possible that still look good to craft the interior, along with simple shapes to cut down the manufacturing process time and costs.
So while the seats will remotely remind you about the simplicity of the 2CV, other details such as the dashboard materials and shape will transpose you into a steampunk era sprinkled with digital age technology. So, you won’t see a single dial around, while most of the features like air conditioning and audio system will be controlled via the generous touchscreen in the middle.
Other cost reduction measures imply that there is no central console, the gear shifter being replaced by a few buttons, the handbrake replaced by a small paddle, seats covered in a grainy cloth and rear windows that won’t roll down.
Sounds pretty awful but styling kicks in and you won’t even feel the lack of amenities. You also get a big sunroof and leather-like belt-handles for doors... What other massive produced car comes with belt-handles? Only supercars have that. And since Citroen has a love affair with hidden storage spaces, they “designed” an oldschool glovebox compartment that opens upwards, so you can see what’s inside.
All in all, the C4 Cactus appears to be exactly what those hating German styling want - practicality with an exquisite design, modern features and affordability. Let’s hope Citroen won’t forget about the last part when the car enters production.
The Cactus is probably the best example of combining design with cost reduction techniques. This 4,160 mm car here promises to solve every day driving problems while still looking awesome. That was engineers and designers’ homework for making this unique vehicle.
Being based on the Platform 1 architecture, the C4 Cactus is basically a Peugeot 2008 underneath, while the body has been shaped in the form of a funky but bold-looking crossover. It has absolutely nothing to do with the C4 on the badge and its even 200 kg lighter than it.
The light platform combined with either a 1-liter THP turbo gasoline and 1.4-liter diesel engine will drop CO2 emissions bellow 100 g/km, while the diesel unit will also make for a fuel consumption of about 3.1 l/100 km (hopefully).
The front end comes with those split headlamps, with separate LED daytime running lights, which can also be seen on the C4 Picasso, and unique rubber bumpers with “air bumps” which can also be found on the doors and at the back. Since people in France tend to park very tight and also having to literally push their way into a parking space, the rubber air bumps will keep the car dent and scratch free. So there you have it - another way of keeping costs down... in time.
However, most of the cost reduction program can be seen and not seen inside. Citroen used the cheapest materials possible that still look good to craft the interior, along with simple shapes to cut down the manufacturing process time and costs.
So while the seats will remotely remind you about the simplicity of the 2CV, other details such as the dashboard materials and shape will transpose you into a steampunk era sprinkled with digital age technology. So, you won’t see a single dial around, while most of the features like air conditioning and audio system will be controlled via the generous touchscreen in the middle.
Other cost reduction measures imply that there is no central console, the gear shifter being replaced by a few buttons, the handbrake replaced by a small paddle, seats covered in a grainy cloth and rear windows that won’t roll down.
Sounds pretty awful but styling kicks in and you won’t even feel the lack of amenities. You also get a big sunroof and leather-like belt-handles for doors... What other massive produced car comes with belt-handles? Only supercars have that. And since Citroen has a love affair with hidden storage spaces, they “designed” an oldschool glovebox compartment that opens upwards, so you can see what’s inside.
All in all, the C4 Cactus appears to be exactly what those hating German styling want - practicality with an exquisite design, modern features and affordability. Let’s hope Citroen won’t forget about the last part when the car enters production.
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