Citroën has re-engineered its C4 Cactus hatchback with new, comfort-oriented suspension, revamped Airbump styling and a flagship 128bhp petrol engine. Prices start from £17,265 and first deliveries are due in April.
The range kicks off with the 81bhp 1.2-litre petrol-engined Feel Edition, priced at £700 below the 109bhp Feel. The cheaper, lower-powered car will only be available until the end of May, before the Puretech 110 Feel becomes the range's entry point, priced at just under £18,000.
The range is topped out by the 98bhp BlueHDi Flair diesel, at £20,895, although the most powerful model is the 128bhp Puretech 130 petrol, priced from £20,665.
Standard automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and blindspot monitor should all contribute to a bolstered safety rating from Euro NCAP, while a reversing camera, road sign recognition and keyless entry and start are also among the standard driver assistance systems.
The overhaul to the C4 Cactus is one of the most significant mid-life changes Citroën has ever wrought on a model and will significantly change the appearance and dynamic appeal of the hatchback.
Grabbing the headlines is the European introduction of Progressive Hydraulic Cushion (PHC) suspension, which is billed as adding a "magic carpet ride", and a new design subject to 20 patent filings.
Citroën C4 axed to make way for C4 Cactus
PHC adds a pair of secondary hydraulic dampers into each coil-sprung suspension corner, replacing the traditional rubber bumpstops at the top and bottom of the wheel travel.
Because the damper progressively cushions the wheel travel at the two extremes of movement, engineers have specified more comfort-oriented springs and dampers for the main job of isolating the car body from the road.
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the new cactus isnt a cactus
the new c4 cactus isnt a cactus imo, the first generation cactus is what the new one should still be. ive got a c3 loan car at the mo whilst my cactus is in for some bits ans the c4 cactus is by far more comfortable and so much more spacious. the old cactus was called a cactus because its 'self protecting'. ive had 2 cactai one grey puretech 82 and now a black blue hdi- both feel. i was going to wait till the new cactus came out and purchase one but it doesnt excite me like the old one does. i will try and get a test drive in the new cactus, but the first generation is what i will stick with. i am 19 so not your typical cactus driver. but for a reliable, economical and characterful car. no other car on the market can beat it.
the new cactus isnt a cactus
the new c4 cactus isnt a cactus imo, the first generation cactus is what the new one should still be. ive got a c3 loan car at the mo whilst my cactus is in for some bits ans the c4 cactus is by far more comfortable and so much more spacious. the old cactus was called a cactus because its 'self protecting'. ive had 2 cactai one grey puretech 82 and now a black blue hdi- both feel. i was going to wait till the new cactus came out and purchase one but it doesnt excite me like the old one does. i will try and get a test drive in the new cactus, but the first generation is what i will stick with. i am 19 so not your typical cactus driver. but for a reliable, economical and characterful car. no other car on the market can beat it.
Better and more interesting.
Makes a great alternative to a small'ish hatch back but having no wind down windows in a family THB (Tall Hatch Back) just gives people a reason not to buy. Citroen there's a reason why ALL the competition has wind down windows and it's because families want them.
Ditto the DS4 but that won't last another year.