What is the connection between an Iranian terrorist cell and Citroen's new family?

The Citroen C4 X will be integrated into the range of models above the C4 and below the C5 X, and should increase the brand's sales outside European markets with the promise of being a "possible alternative to affordable crossovers and hatchbacks"

Shashi Cohen, WHEEL

01/07/2022

Friday, 01 July 2022, 07:29 Updated: 07:54

• Share on Facebook

• Share on WhatsApp

• Share on Twitter

• Share on Email

• Share on general

• Comments

  Comments

It's a crossover, it's family?

Today it is no longer possible to know (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

When I received the invitation to go to the global launch of a new Citroen model, there were no details about the model that the company will unveil, but what stood out was the crowded schedule that included a morning flight to Istanbul, a static launch shuttle (which does not include introductory driving) and back to Israel. Today is afternoon.

The truth is I pretty much took it in stride, flying abroad and coming back the same day? It never happened to me, it's probably more interesting than going to the office for a work day.

But, and this is one big but, the original planning began to get complicated: the security problem and the threats of kidnapping Israelis in Turkey made headlines, and it was decided to move us (Israelis) to launch in Denmark (the global launch took place simultaneously in two countries).

Sounds like a spin?

Definitely, only we still have to return to the country within 24 hours, and we will have to spend the night on a plane and not in a hotel.

For a moment I even thought about whether it was polite to refuse an invitation, but then I remembered something: 6 years ago, former US President Barack Obama came to Israel especially for the funeral of the late Shimon Peres, and immediately after the funeral he boarded the presidential plane and returned home that day.

So who am I to complain about the Tel Aviv-Copenhagen line with a stopover in Istanbul and back the same day, not sure that crossing Ayalon during rush hour is easier.

More on Walla!

Have you ever wondered why you automatically take a loan from the bank?

In collaboration with max

Business map still looks completely normal (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

A crossover disguised as a family car?

Despite the influx of customers in another world with a variety of crossover models flooding the market, Citroen has chosen to take the C4 that its current generation has transformed from a compact hatchback family to a crossover, and develop a new family platform and little sister to the C5 X that is not marketed in the country.

In terms of Citroen models, it will be located between it and the C4.

The model will be offered in 2 versions to choose from: the C4 X which is equipped with internal combustion engines and the ë-C4X which is equipped with full electric propulsion, and in fact it is also a step-sister to the new Peugeot 408 whose first details were only revealed last week.

Beyond that, with 153 cm in height, this is a figure that currently characterizes quite a few crossovers.

A vehicle in a fastback configuration that is supposed to challenge the traditional settings in the family market (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

Citroen is aware of the decline in demand for standard family cars in the world and in designing the new model chose to use the body in a fastback configuration that combines a sporty appearance and usability, and a design that is reminiscent of the company's leisure models.

An encounter in reality with the vehicle, reveals a modern and handsome-looking car, but the appearance is not as flowing and elegant as in the C4, due to the addition of 24 cm to the rear of the car for a total of 4.6 meters and a tail design that from the side may require slight adjustment.

The wheelbase stands at 267 cm and is identical to the new C4, but Citroen insists that the space for the rear passengers' legs has been increased.

At least get a large trunk (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

The cabin shares the same design of the C4 with slight modifications, with a driver and passenger environment quite pleasant to stay.

Here, too, you will meet the special and comfortable Citroen seats, and the company prides itself on the manufacturer's new generation multimedia system "MyCitroën Drive Plus" which includes a 10-inch touch screen and a comprehensive package for connectivity, upgraded voice operation and Internet services.

The models presented at the launch were probably equipped with a long list of accessories that included genuine leather upholstery for the seats, full LED surround lighting, panoramic glass roof, wireless charging surface for the phone, an updated navigation system from TomTom and more that provided a luxurious atmosphere in the passenger compartment. Generous, but we will have to wait patiently to see which of these will be offered to customers in the country.

Caption: In 14 countries in Europe, only the electric version will be marketed (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

The most important version in the new C4 X family is the electric version, which will also be the only option in 14 countries in Europe.

Citroen notes that 11% of its new car sales in Western Europe are electric models and the new model should support the manufacturer's aspirations to grow in these countries.

At the same time, in most countries of the world, the car will also be offered in 1.5-liter turbo-diesel models BlueHDi and 1.2-liter turbo gasoline PureTech that produce 130 hp and sell us a variety of Stellantis models, which will be offered in combination with a manual or planetary automatic transmission with 8 gears. At a leading position among countries trying to combat climate change, only the electric C4X, equipped with an electric motor producing 136 hp and a maximum torque of 26.5 kg, and a 50 kW battery that ensures a range of up to 360 km in the standard WLTP. Performance data has not yet been revealed, but it is likely that the acceleration to 100 km / h will be around 9 seconds and the maximum speed will be limited to 150 km / h.

10-inch screen, physical buttons for climate and audio control (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

While a static launch does not allow you to drive a car, it is an opportunity to meet senior Citroen executives and have an open conversation with them.

To our question why they settle for a relatively compact battery and do not move to a larger battery that will provide a driving range of at least 400 km and may alleviate some of the "range anxiety" of potential customers, argued Mr. Arno Ribo, Citroen's European sales manager according to data collected by the manufacturer, 90 % Of customers of electric models do not drive more than 50 km on average a day, so with a 360 km official range, they do not suffer from range anxiety. In addition, Citroen wants to significantly increase their sales and any attempt to increase the battery (the most expensive part of the car The significant jump in sales in the coming years is planned outside the traditional European markets, with the help of diesel and petrol models ("We have a large customer base that is not yet ready to switch to electric").

The wheelbase is the same as the C4, but Citroen says the spacing has been improved (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

When in Israel?

Lubinski, an importer of Citroen in Israel, stated that the C4 X will arrive in Israel during 2023, but it is not yet known exactly when and it will be offered here for selection in all its propulsion versions (in our estimation, it may arrive in the first quarter of the year).

It is still too early to talk about a local price, but given that the word "affordable" has been repeated quite a few times during the press conference, it is to be hoped that pricing in the country will be just above the current C4 and below the next level in the C5 Aircross range. The number range is between 150 and 160 or 184 thousand shekels (in the case of the most equipped C5 Aircross) depending on the level of finish.

• vehicle

• Car News

Tags

• Citroen

• Crossover

• Family

• A family car