Silence is golden in Citroen’s new electric ‘flying carpet’ e-C4


Citroen hopes you will be sitting comfortably for the launch today of its new C4 compact hatchback – because that’s the whole point for drivers and passengers of the car offered in electric, petrol and diesel modes.

That’s because they reckon the blend of style, tech, design and engineering in their latest car will make it one of the most comfortable cars on the road – particularly in its class.

It also promises a suspension and hydraulic system that will make occupants feel they are ‘travelling on a flying carpet’ with ‘no bouncing.’

Like a magic carpet: This is Citreon’s new C4 – a car that promises a ride so smooth it’s like floating through the air

It has filed 20 new patents on suspension alone and offers what it calls ‘progressive hydraulic cushions.’

It says: ’It offers supreme comfort and a ‘magic carpet ride’ effect for on-board well-being, dynamism and driveability.’

The comfort-factor that goes doubly for the pure electric e-C4 version which adds silence and smooth running to the mix.

Citroen boasts: ‘On board the new 100 per cent electric e-C4 the silence is exceptional – no vibration disturbs the peace or quiet on board.’

The French car-maker promises more space with extra knee room in the back (198mm in total which it claims is best in class) thanks to an extended wheelbase, and plenty of shoulder and elbow space in the rear even when sitting three abreast.

The C4’s ‘advanced comfort seats’ offer a high seating position and are filled with high density foam – to avoid the ‘settling effect’ after many hours of driving – promise to keep occupants comfortable, alert and refreshed on the road. The foam also prevents seats from ageing after several years of use, says Citroen.

Citroen boasts: ¿On board the new 100 per cent electric e-C4 the silence is exceptional ¿ no vibration disturbs the peace or quiet on board.¿

Citroen boasts: ‘On board the new 100 per cent electric e-C4 the silence is exceptional – no vibration disturbs the peace or quiet on board.’

In the cabin, there's even a mount on the passenger side to house an i-Pad

In the cabin, there’s even a mount on the passenger side to house an i-Pad

Seats and backrests are also wide with reinforced support and lumbar and height adjustments at the front.

Citroen also puts great store in the C4’s clever storage, of which some 39 litres of binnacles and cubby holes are dotted around.

Passenger comfort and convenience isn’t forgotten either.

The new C4 even has a dedicated computer tablet or Apple I-Pad holder so the person in the front passenger seat can watch a movie or play a game while o the move.

Citroen claims to have filed 20 new patents on suspension alone and offers what it calls ¿progressive hydraulic cushions

Citroen claims to have filed 20 new patents on suspension alone and offers what it calls ‘progressive hydraulic cushions

The new C4 coupe-like crossover hatchback with its sweeping interior is a smart, a contemporary take on Citroen saloons of yore.

Stretching a historical point, Citroen reckons this is the 10th iteration if its ‘C4’ compact hatchback stretching all the way back to 1928,

Citroen e-C4: Will it fit in my garage?

Length: 4,360mm

Width: 1,800mm

(2056mm with mirrors extended)

Wheelbase: 2,670mm

Boot: 380 litre

To order: from autumn

Price estimated: £19,000 to £30,000

Power: choice of e-C4 electric, 5 petrol and 2 diesel

Electric e-C4

Emissions: zero

Power: 136hp (100kw) electric motor

Range: 217miles

Top speed: 93mph

0-62mph: 9.7 seconds (sport mode)

Driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport.

Charging times:

Charging to 80 per at a public charging station: 30 minutes

Domestic wall box 7.5 hours (5 hours on an optional 11kW version)

Domestic plug: up to 24 hours

Tracing its line back 92 years, Citroen calculates more than more than 12.5 million ‘C4’ segment cars have been sold over the period, including the AM16 and 8 of the 1960s, the GS and GSA of the 1970s, the BX of the 1980s, ZX of the ‘90s, the Xsara from 1997, the C4 of 2004 and 2010 and latterly the C4 Cactus from 2014.

The zero-emissions all-electric e-C4 is powered by a 136hp (100kW) electric motor and 400V (50kW) lithium ion battery

It accelerates from rest to 62mph in 9.7 seconds up to a top speed of 93mph with a claimed range of 217 miles.

There are three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. To help increase range, a ‘brake’ feature amplifies the deceleration of the vehicle without the need to press the brake, recovering extra energy with which to charge the battery en route.

Charging to 80 per cent takes 30 minutes at a public charging station, 7.5 hours on a domestic wall box (5 hours on an optional 11kW version) and up to 24 hours on a domestic plug.

There is also a choice of 5 petrol and 2 diesel engines in manual and automatic depending on market.

Plenty of space in the practical 380 litre boot with its low flat loading sill. There are also 20 driver-assist technologies .

Order books for the new C4 open in the Autumn. 

Expect prices for this Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf rival from around £19,000 with a pure electric E-C4 version from under £30,000 after plug-in car grant. 

SAVE MONEY ON MOTORING

Logo L&C

Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.