MOTORING NEWS - Citroën South Africa has recently launched one of the French manufacturer's most exciting vehicles: the C4 Cactus.
Good news shared with the media at the recent launch on the Highveld was that Citroën is currently upping production in Europe to keep up with worldwide demand.
Another welcome announcement was that
Citroën is actively working toward regaining its historical place as an innovative car builder to meet the need of motoring customers with higher expectations.
One only needs to think of all the revolutionary ideas that have been introduced by this marque over the decades. In 1923 a Citroën expedition crossed the Sahara desert by automobile for the first time and the next year, Citroën produced Europe's first all-steel-bodied car. In 1934, the company presented its first front-wheel drive cars, which again revolutionalised auto production.
In 1954 Citroën again astonished by producing the world's first hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension system and in 1955 the revolutionary DS, the first European production car with disc brakes. In 1967, Citroën introduced swivelling headlights in several models, allowing for greater visibility. Citroën cars have received various international and national-level awards, including three European Car of the Year titles.
So the Cactus follows a tough act, but has done so with apparent ease, also winning copious awards - a lot of them for innovation. These include Car of the Year in Croatia, Finland and Denmark, while the two-million members of Austria's OAMTC automobile club voted the C4 Cactus as their favourite car.
The C4 Cactus was also crowned Car of the Year and MPV of the Year in Spain, Small Hatchback of the Year in the UK and Golden Steering Wheel in Bulgaria and Slovakia.
To crown it all, the C4 Cactus won the 2015 World Car Design of the Year Award at the recent New York International Motor Show. This is awarded to the new car with the most innovative design that challenges convention.
Reflecting a changing motoring world shaped by shifting consumer expectations, the C4 Cactus presents a versatile and trend-setting alternative to the conventional C-segment hatchback.
INNOVATION
The striking design has smooth surfaces and powerful lines. The rounded front has high-mounted LED daytime running light strips and deep-set main light clusters.
These provide a bold introduction while the flanks feature a key innovation: the Airbump - a pliable protective panel that protects while adding compelling visual interest.
Airbumps are made of supple thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and encompasses air-filled cells that will absorb small impacts. The Airbump panels are fitted in black as standard, but can be optionally ordered in different colours, including Grey, Dune and Chocolate.
The C4 Cactus is also the first to feature a roof-mounted airbag for the front passenger in the interests of creating more space without compromising safety.
Prominent roof racks, eye-catching wheel designs and a short rear overhang anchored to a bold, geometric C-pillar are further design elements. Contrasting cladding at the rear adds to the functional appearance of the C4 Cactus.
The newcomer's proportions are compact, but the 2,6m wheelbase ensures ample interior space, also thanks to the wheels placed at the corners of the car. The relatively low height of 1,48m suggests keen aerodynamics.
INTERIOR
Practicality and design go hand in hand inside with an airy, spacious cabin that hosts a fully digital interface that is easy to use and attractive. A large 17,8cm full-colour touchscreen is augmented by a digital instrument display ahead of the driver.
The dashboard layout is an uncluttered surface that adds to the cabin's spacious feeling. The front passenger's airbag is located in the roof to created more space and storage in front.
Seating in front is generously proportioned, with individually adjustable seats. A wide rear bench seat adds to the C4 Cactus cabin's sense of space.
Specification levels are generous across the C4 Cactus range. Two levels of equipment - Feel and Shine - are offered for the South African market. The affordable Feel has a long list of standard equipment, including: air-conditioning, a four-speaker audio system with tuner and MP3 playback, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free telephony and audio streaming, cruise control with speed limiter, electrically operated front windows and exterior mirrors and a multifunction steering wheel.
To this the Shine version adds: climate control, integrated satellite navigation, a reverse camera, enhanced audio system, auto-activating headlights and windscreen wipers, front fog lights, rear privacy glass and interior mood lighting.
The C4 Cactus continues its theme of innovation under the skin, with efficiency a priority. An optimised platform benefits from careful weight reduction and the use of new-generation engines, allowed the C4 Cactus development team to shave 200kg off the kerb weight of the C4 hatchback.
The C4 Cactus has a trim kerb weight of 965kg for the PureTech 60kW Feel model. The Feel and Shine versions powered by the PureTech 1,2 e-THP engines are only slightly heavier at 1 020kg.
The drivetrain options comprise a choice of two new-generation, high-efficiency PureTech three-cylinder petrol engines. The advanced power units are compact and lightweight, contributing to the Cactus' reduced mass and impressive efficiency.
At entry level, the 1,2-litre PureTech unit has a maximum power output rating of 60kW, and a 118Nm torque peak, while achieving a published cycle fuel consumption figure of just 4,6-litres per 100km on the combined cycle.
The CO² exhaust emissions come to just 107g/km. This engine is only available on the entry-level C4 Cactus Feel model.
The more powerful 1,2-litre PureTech Turbo e-THP engine features turbocharging to boost output to 81kW and 205Nm. The result is swifter performance, but not at the cost of fuel efficiency. The published consumption figure remains impressive at just 4,7-litres per 100km for the combined cycle, linked to an identical CO² emissions rating of 107g/km.
The 1,2 PureTech Turbo e-THP unit can be specified for the Feel and the Shine versions, while a five-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels is standard for the range.
The new C4 Cactus extends its innovation to a comprehensive array of safety equipment. Passive measures include six airbags - for the front driver, roof-mounted for the front passenger, as well as dual side and dual curtain airbags.
The roof-mounted front passenger airbag is a world first and allows more space without compromising safety.
Active safety systems standard across the C4 Cactus range include ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency braking assistance (EBA), electronic stability control (ESC), while the 81kW Feel and Shine models add Hill Assist.
LANDMARK
"The new Citroën C4 Cactus is a landmark product for the brand, both internationally and here in South Africa," says Francis Harnie, managing director of Peugeot-Citroën SA.
"It's not only a bold statement in automotive design that breaks the conventional mould, but also a shining example of how innovation and intelligent engineering can produce a vehicle that delivers new and effective solutions."
Harnie predicts the C4 Cactus will change the way people consider the normal categorisation of C-segment cars. "It's a compact hatchback and a spacious SUV rolled into one, linked to strong design appeal and an overriding sense of innovation.
"Perhaps most importantly, it addresses running costs by delivering exceptional fuel economy, yet remains engaging and fun to drive," added Harnie. "It allows you to live a unique adventure every day."
The recommended retail prices of the new C4 Cactus range are: Citroën C4 Cactus 1,2-litres PureTech 60kW Feel - R224 900; Citroën C4 Cactus 1,2-litres PureTech Turbo e-THP 81kW Feel - R259 900; Citroën C4 Cactus 1,2-litres PureTech Turbo e-THP 81kW Shine -
R284 900.
These prices include a three year or 100 000km warranty, a five year or 100 000km service plan, as well as roadside assistance. There is an option to upgrade to the FreeDrive - a five year or 100 000km warranty extension. Service intervals are every 15 000km.
The C4 Cactus won the 2015 World Car Design of the Year Award at the New York International Motor Show. This is awarded to the new car with the most innovative design that challenges convention.
The planned interior has a large full-colour touchscreen augmented by a well-arranged digital instrument display for the driver.
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