THE SECOND-GENERATION Citroen C4 Cactus officially goes on sale in Ireland on 10 May with a starting price of €19,995.
Its revamped styling sees those unusual Airbumps disappear from the sides, and the new model is being repositioned to go against the big hatchback players like the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.
Among the changes to the look – which see almost every panel on the car altered – is a new interior that places a more significant emphasis on comfort. Citroen calls it the Advanced Comfort programme and it features plush seats up front that are more like an armchair than a car seat.
Another innovation is a new suspension setup that Citroen has patented. It goes by the name of Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, and in some ways, it’s a modern-day version of the old hydropneumatic suspension that those of a particular vintage will recall gracing Citroens of the past. The result is a more plush ride that should do well on Ireland’s poorly kept roads.
Buyers will have a choice of three specification grades; Touch, Feel, and Flair. The entry-level Touch spec gets you 16-inch wheels, a seven-inch infotainment screen with Bluetooth connectivity and DAB radio. Air conditioning, cruise control with a handy speed limiter function and heated door mirrors are among the equipment that you get for your €19,995.
Mid-grade Feel models cost €2,500 more but get you more equipment and tech, like smartphone mirroring through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The outside gets 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, body-coloured door handles, black headlight surrounds and mirror caps while rear parking sensors will come in handy for backing into spaces.
Spend a further €2,000, and you get into the top-level Flair version. As well as some exterior styling tweaks, it gains more safety features like Active Safety Brake. Technology increases to include keyless entry, sat nav, front parking sensors, speed limit sign recognition and lane departure warning.
In all, there are three petrol engines and one diesel to choose from. The mid-level PureTech petrol engine will also be available with the EAT6 automatic transmission.
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