Citroen E-C4: the crossover also full electric at its debut on the market [/HWUVIDEO]

With the new C4 Citroen offers consumers a crossover vehicle from the typical dimensions of the cars of the segment C : 4, 36 the meters of length, with a very large wheelbase of 2, 67 meters and a height from the ground that touches i 11 cm. Dimensions therefore not excessive for the new C4 but seen from the outside the impact is certainly impressive: thanks to the height from the ground, the original design in which the company logo is recalled by the double V present in the headlights both front and rear.

The choice of engines is decidedly varied : a two thermal units , a 1.2l petrol ( 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission) and a 1.5l diesel (8-speed automatic transmission) both from 130 horsepower is accompanied by a fully electric version with a 100 kW ( 136 horses) combined with a battery pack from 50 kWh for one autonomy dec hiarata up to 350 Km in the WLTP cycle . By choice, a hybrid vehicle is missing, which Citroen currently offers in the range with the C5: for the new C4 the choice is to offer a fully electric alternative to consumers who want to take the leap by switching to electrification. After all, Citroen has already anticipated that it wants to have every vehicle in its range also available with a fully electric power supply by 2025, including commercial vehicles: the estimates for E-C4 are to affect at least 15% of the total number of new C4 cars that will be sold.

If it’s 4 passengers: ample vertical space even for the tallest and space behind that is decidedly welcoming, with the fifth in the center a little sacrificed if it is an adult. The dashboard is dominated by the small dashboard, with a head-up display that provides all the main information without taking your eyes off the road. In the center of the dashboard we find a 10 inches with built-in 3D navigator, heart of the infotainment system as well as of the E-C4 power supply monitoring system.

In front of the passenger a pair of very original accessories: the first is a real drawer, which joins the traditional compartment on the dashboard and numerous other predispositions for objects between the central tunnel and doors. The second is a tablet holder , which allows you to attach one to the dashboard so that the passenger can entertain themselves during the journey without disturbing the driver. Those with children will especially appreciate this type of accessory.

We tested the petrol version on the road with 6-speed manual gearbox, proven to be very convenient and comfortable . The panache provided by the 1,2l by 130 horses is adequate for weight of the car and thanks to the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions suspensions, equipped with two hydraulic dampers at the ends , the journey along the road is always fluid, with high driving comfort. The combination with the Advanced Comfort seats completes the picture of a vehicle that combines the external a strong, almost aggressive aspect to a road march that cradles.

This feeling it is pushed even further upwards with the electric version , in which noise and vibrations typical of thermal engines are less. The power of 136 horsepower with instant torque of 260 Nm allow you to move easily in city traffic and state roads, pushing up to a self-limited maximum speed of 150 Km / h. The declared autonomy is 350 Km in WLTP cycle, thanks to a battery pack from 50 kWh. There are 3 driving modes : Eco to save as much as possible, Normal who proves to be ready and with panache and Sport which provides maximum power. Two settings for regenerative braking : the standard one intervenes in release to a slight extent while well more incisive the one that is enabled by pressing button B on the center console. In this way it is almost always possible to drive the vehicle using only one foot, requiring you to act on the brake only when the deceleration has to be abrupt or you have to stop completely.

The battery is recharged through the classic type 2 connector or Mennekes , flanked by the two CSS Combo 2 connectors for direct current charging. If in the second case we can exploit the high power columns up to a maximum of 100 Kw and a time of refill of the 80 % of capacity in 30 minutes , with only the type 2 connector the standard charger ensures a 7.4Kw recharge, with the accessory option of an onboard 11 Kw. Using a domestic wallbox, charging at the 80% requires from 5 to 7.5 hours, time compatible with the night parking of the car in our box at home.

It is on sale from this weekend, with price lists starting from 22. 900 € per the petrol model (2. 000 € extra for the 8-speed automatic transmission), 26. 400 € for the diesel version and 35. 150 € for electricity : these amounts will then be necessary to deduct the concessions in force. For all 3 versions: Feel, Feel Pack and Shine with a cost increase of approx. 1. 500 € passing from one to the next. Besides 30 color combinations for the exterior and 6 different finishes for the interior: a complete range, therefore, that of the new C4 that can be easily customized according to our tastes.