Brian Joss –
Citroën South Africa launched one of the French marque’s most innovative products yet: the game-changing C4 Cactus. Reflecting a changing motoring world shaped by shifting consumer expectations, the C4 Cactus is a trend-setting alternative to the conventional C-segment hatchback, Citroen said.
The C4 Cactus offers motorists more design, more comfort, and more useful technology, coupled to more efficiency, which translates into reduced running costs, the French manufacturer said.
The rounded front, with its high-mounted LED daytime running light strips and deep-set main light clusters, provides a bold introduction to a bold design, while the flanks feature one of the Cactus’ key innovations: the Airbump® – a pliable protective panel that protects while adding visual interest.
The Airbump® is made of supple thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and encompasses air-filled cells that absorb small impacts.
The C4 Cactus is also the first to feature a roof-mounted airbag for the front passenger in the interests of creating more space without compromising safety, while intelligent packaging links compact dimensions to expansive interior accommodation.
An airy, spacious cabin hosts a fully digital interface that is intuitive to use. At the core of this arrangement is a large, seven-inch full-colour touchscreen, augmented by a digital instrument display ahead of the driver.
In front there are individually adjustable seats, with a wide rear bench seat.
Specification levels are generous across the entire C4 Cactus range. Two variants are available in South Africa, Feel and Shine, and even the more affordable Feel benefits from an extensive list of standard equipment.
The Shine gets integrated satellite navigation, a reverse camera, enhanced audio system, auto-activating headlights and windscreen wipers, front fog lights, rear privacy glass, interior mood lighting, and more.
At the entry level, the 1,2-litre PureTech unit has a maximum power output rating of 60 kW, and a 118 N.m torque peak,
The more powerful 1,2-litre PureTech Turbo e-THP engine features turbocharging to boost output to 81 kW and 205 N.m and is fitted to the Shine and a five-speed manual transmission is standard.
The new Citroën C4 Cactus has already won the newcomer a raft of wards internationally. These include Car of the Year awards in Croatia, Finland and Denmark, while the two-million members of Austria’s OAMTC automobile club voted the C4 Cactus as their favourite car.
The C4 Cactus was also crowned Car of the Year and MPV of the Year in Spain, while it received the Small Hatchback of the Year title in the UK, and Golden Steering Wheel awards in Bulgaria and Slovakia. It also won the 2015 World Car Design of the Year Award at the recent New York International Motor Show.
“The new Citroën C4 Cactus is a landmark product for the brand, both internationally and here in South Africa,” said Francis Harnie, managing director of Peugeot-Citroën SA.
Harnie said the C4 Cactus will change the way people consider C-segment cars. “It’s a compact hatchback and a spacious SUV rolled into one, but linked to strong design appeal and an overriding sense of innovation.”
