Photo: Citroen
The economic conditions in China might be deteriorating, but we are still talking about the world's largest car market by volume, with huge potential for future growth. That's why Citroen and its local partner Dongfeng did not hesitate to launch a brand new 3-box sedan that's sure to be a hit. Called simply the C4, this 4.55m (179-inch) long car targets a crucial segment of the market.
The model is being presented online ahead of its official showing at the Chengdu Motor Show, held from 4 to 13 September. Almost 60% of all the cars sold in China have this 3-box design, and after the success of the C3-XR SUV (which has already sold in over 30,000 units since launch in late-December 2014), Citroen is expecting huge demand for the C4.
The C4 will directly replace the aging C-Quatre, which is based on the previous generation of the European hatchback. It might not even be a China-only model either, as camouflaged sedans have been seen parading up and down highways in France and Spain for the past year.
Regardless of the implications this car may hold in the future, we need to look at what it does in China right now. The C4 targets a very specific segment of the market there, which is called the C-middle. It falls between the C-Elysee from the C-entry market and the C4-L in the C-upper. Just think of it as the difference between the Skoda Rapid, VW Jetta and Audi A3 sedan.
Citroen boasts that the 2016 C4 sedan has moved the bar higher in terms of perceived quality, both on the inside and outside. The full engine range has not yet been released, but we're told to expect a 130 horsepower 3-cylinder engine mated to a manual and automatic gearbox. Clearly, we're talking about the 1.2 e-THP that Peugeot initially developed for the 308.
Other goodies will also include a standard-fit touchscreen, hands-free access and start-up and a blind spot monitoring system.
The C4 will directly replace the aging C-Quatre, which is based on the previous generation of the European hatchback. It might not even be a China-only model either, as camouflaged sedans have been seen parading up and down highways in France and Spain for the past year.
Regardless of the implications this car may hold in the future, we need to look at what it does in China right now. The C4 targets a very specific segment of the market there, which is called the C-middle. It falls between the C-Elysee from the C-entry market and the C4-L in the C-upper. Just think of it as the difference between the Skoda Rapid, VW Jetta and Audi A3 sedan.
Citroen boasts that the 2016 C4 sedan has moved the bar higher in terms of perceived quality, both on the inside and outside. The full engine range has not yet been released, but we're told to expect a 130 horsepower 3-cylinder engine mated to a manual and automatic gearbox. Clearly, we're talking about the 1.2 e-THP that Peugeot initially developed for the 308.
Other goodies will also include a standard-fit touchscreen, hands-free access and start-up and a blind spot monitoring system.
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