Especificaciones y análisis del Citroën C4
Power
109HP
Torque
240Nm
Consumption
4.5l/100
Emissions
120g/km
0-100 km/h
11.2s
Top Speed
192km/h
Weight
1368kg
Price
18,770€
Technical summary
Gasóleo
Automático 6v
FWD
5 / 5 doors
320 L
60 L
80 kW
Current
Technical specifications
Engine
Capacities
Detailed analysis of the Citroën C4 5p HDi 110 FAP CMP Collection · 109 CV (2006-2008)
General description
The 2005 Citroën C4 burst onto the compact segment like a breath of fresh air, a statement of intent from the French brand to differentiate itself through design and technology. This version, equipped with the efficient 109-horsepower HDi diesel engine and the unique CMP automated manual gearbox, promised an economical and comfortable drive, wrapped in a body that left no one indifferent.
Driving experience
Behind the wheel, the C4 conveys a very Citroën-like sense of comfort. The suspension smoothly filters out irregularities, inviting a calm drive. The 1.6-liter HDi engine pulls capably from low revs thanks to its good torque, and its greatest virtue is its truly low fuel consumption, which is easy on the wallet. However, the experience is defined by the 6-speed CMP gearbox. Its operation, halfway between a manual and an automatic, can be slow and jerky in shifts if you don't anticipate, creating a peculiar and sometimes frustrating connection with the car's mechanics. It's not a car with sporting aspirations, but a faithful companion for devouring miles stress-free and with remarkable efficiency.
Design and aesthetics
The C4's design was its main calling card and a bold break from the conventional. Its rounded silhouette and its rear with a split window on the coupé were unmistakable. But it was inside where Citroën's magic was unleashed: the fixed-hub steering wheel, with all controls grouped in a center that didn't turn, was a piece of futuristic engineering that made you feel like you were in a spaceship. Added to this was the central digital instrumentation, which freed up space behind the wheel and concentrated all information at the top of the dashboard. It was a cabin that enveloped you and made you feel you were driving something truly special and different.
Technology and features
For its time, the C4 was a technological showcase. Beyond the aforementioned fixed-hub steering wheel or the central translucent display, it incorporated features like a speed limiter and cruise control, an integrated air freshener, or the lane departure warning system in some versions. The automated manual gearbox (CMP) was a bet on automating the manual transmission for efficiency, and the HDi engine already featured a particulate filter (FAP) to reduce emissions, a key technology in the diesel era. Citroën did not hold back in demonstrating its capacity for innovation.
Competition
The Citroën C4 faced fierce competition in the heart of the European market. It fought directly against titans like the Volkswagen Golf, the benchmark for its balance and quality; the Ford Focus, praised for its exceptional chassis and dynamics; or the Renault Mégane, another compatriot with an equally daring design. It also competed with the SEAT León, with its sportier spirit, and the Opel Astra, which played the card of German solidity. Against them, the C4 offered a unique personality, betting on comfort and avant-garde design as its main selling points.
Conclusion
The Citroën C4 HDi 110 CMP was much more than just a compact car; it was an experience. A vehicle with an overwhelming character, designed for those looking to escape monotony and who valued comfort and efficiency above all else. Its diesel engine was a perfect ally for long journeys at minimal cost, although the peculiar automated gearbox required a period of adaptation. Driving this C4 meant accepting its quirks, falling in love with its futuristic steering wheel, and enjoying a car that, almost two decades later, still seems original and brave. A choice of the heart as much as of the head.