Mixing flair with comfort: Armstrongs
Citroën have always made it their business to stand out and offer cars that blend quirky styling cues with forward thinking engineering. Ben Selby reports.
You only need look at icons like the DS, 2CV, and CX to get the drift. Citroën’s latest foray into the future of motoring takes the form of the e-C4.
An all-electric variant of the Crossover SUV, the e-C4 on paper seems to follow the mantra previously described. In terms of quirky styling, it has it in spades. I love details such as the thin LED daytime running lights, and full width chrome-esque grill with those two flicks encompassing the Citroën emblem. It’s a nice blend of funky angles and svelte curves front to rear.
The meat on the bone of this Gallic BEV is a 50kWh battery pack driving the front wheels. Power is rated at 100kW and torque at 260Nm. The e-C4 is compatible with both AC and DC fast charging, the latter of which will give you 80% charge in half an hour. WTLP statistics also put the max range of the e-C4 at up to 347km.
Inside, the e-C4’s stylistic eccentricity continues in earnest. Toys on offer are decent, including a colour head up display, 10-inch touch screen infotainment system with 3D satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, wireless phone charging, heated seats, and an electric sunroof, to name a few. Interior space is also decent too for both front and rear passengers.
Straight away it becomes rather obvious the e-C4 can serve up a comfortable ride. The softness of the Progressive Hydraulic Cushion Suspension gives the kind of floating ride which made big Citroëns of old, such as the aforementioned CX and DS, such a delight when traversing uneven road surfaces. Sure, those aforementioned icons have peak Citroën ride comfort, but at this price point and for a modern EV, the e-C4 is sumptuously impressive.
Flick over from normal to sport mode and the e-C4 can make full use of those electric 100kW of power. Apply the go pedal, the nose rises ever so slightly and you waft forward nicely. It even holds well in the corners too. As a throwback to what made Citroën great while still aimed squarely at the future, it’s hard not be rather taken by the e-C4.
Experience the eC4 for yourself at Armstrong’s Citroën Christchurch. Citroën NZ is running a promotion on eC4 demonstrators from $58,990 (inc ORC) for a limited time.
FACT FILE
Citroën E-C4
Price: $69,990 + ORC
Engine: 50kWh battery
Drivetrain: FWD
Power: 100kW
Torque: 260Nm
Electric Range: 347km
Charging Time: 7 hours (7.4kW Wallbox), 30 minutes (0 to 80% with DC Fast Charger)
Boot Space: 380L
