Citroën C4 Cactus looks to the future

The Citroën C4 Cactus is expected in Ireland in the autumn

Citroën has announced a new member of the Citroën C4 family – and this one is guaranteed to turn heads.

The French car company says the Citroën C4 Cactus ‘delivers a futuristic blend of form, function and low running costs’ and offers ‘a bold response to the demands of today’s motorists’.

With standout style, the new compact hatchback has a floating roof and quarter-lights, smooth surfaces which are without harsh edges and headlights and daytime running LED lights built into front Airbump protection.

Airbump is also fitted to the side of the car and is available in four colours – chocolate, dune, black and grey.

Taking car customisation to another level, this can be coupled with a choice of 10 body colours and three interior trim options.

Citroën has changed the cabin architecture in this car to create even more space and a ‘friendlier, more relaxing environment’.

Visually obvious are the sofa-like old style seating, in both the front and the back; the simplified automatic gear stick and a digital instrument panel.

Button controls are replaced by a single 7in touch screen, which operates the audio system, air conditioning, SatNav, telephone, vehicle settings and driver aids

Meanwhile, the passenger airbag has been relocated from the dashboard to the roof and it deploys over the windscreen.

The cockpit in the Citroën C4 Cactus has been decluttered and the seats are sofa-like

Traditional door handles have been replaced by luggage inspired leather straps and there’s a hinged storage box on the top of the dashboard.

Citroën is describing the C4 Cactus as a city car and says that the new model provides the same amount of space as the Citroën C4 but in a more compact package. This, it believes, will make for easy city handling and driving.

It describes boot capacity as generous.

Driver aids include self parking, a reversing camera, hill start assist, which holds the car in place while you pull off on a slope, and the Citroën eTouch emergency contact system.

The new model also has a large panoramic sunroof which filters light and reflects heat.

Smart Wash wipers also reduce the amount of fluid needed to clean the windscreen and by having the washer nozzles on the tips of the wipers, visibility issues while washing are reduced.

The new Citroën C4 Cactus is lighter than the Citroën C4 and will be offered in a choice of a PureTech petrol or BlueHDi diesel with Stop & Start engines. Both will fall into the €180 road tax bracket.

Citroën also says that Airbump technology has reduced repair costs.

The new Citroën C4 Cactus is expected in Ireland in the autumn and prices and Irish specification will be announced closer to launch.

Visit the Citroën Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.