Citroën has unveiled the new C4 Cactus, its compact hatchback. Influenced by the Citroën Advanced Comfort programme, the new C4 Cactus is the first model in Europe to feature the brand’s new suspension system with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions (PHC), creating what the company describes as a ‘magic carpet ride’ effect. It is also the first vehicle in the world to boast Advanced Comfort seats. The new C4 Cactus will appear in the first quarter of 2018.

The Cactus update follows the launch of the new C3 in 2016 – and the SUV offensive in 2017 with the new C3 Aircross and C5 Aircross. The Cactus’ status has also received a boost through equipment such as 12 driver assistance systems, three connectivity technologies and a revised engine line-up, with power units now developing up to 130hp.

The new C4 Cactus takes advantage of all the components of the Citroën Advanced Comfort programme. It boasts what Citroën describes as extraordinary ride comfort thanks to the implementation of the new suspension system with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions (PHC), which filters out road imperfections and gives passengers the feeling of “travelling on a magic carpet”. It is also the first model in the world to feature Citroën’s new Advanced Comfort seats.

“Citroën’s objective is to be the benchmark in terms of comfort. And, as a mainstream brand, to bring this all-new comfort to the greatest number of people. With New C4 Cactus and the introduction of the new suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, we are bringing motorists an original compact hatchback fully in tune with its times.” Linda Jackson, Citroën CEO

The new C4 Cactus embodies the essence of the original C4 Cactus design but at the rear, the body coloured tailgate is highlighted by new 3D-effect LED lights, lending it a more contemporary look. The sides of the new C4 Cactus host the new Airbump design, more slim-line than before and set lower on the doors, adapting to the hatchback styling. The new front end has been given a broader look in the same spirit as other Citroën models. There’s a two-tier light signature, with new LED daytime running lights, and the new headlights are set in gloss black surrounds for additional contrast and depth. The air intake grille is underlined by a chromed strip for more refinement.

Outside, the new C4 Cactus is highly customisable, with a total of 31 exterior combinations depending on market. The palette of nine body colours includes Polar White, Obsidian Black, Platinum Grey and Cumulus Grey, Sport Red, Tapenade Grey, Emerald Blue, Pearl White and Deep Purple.

Four Colour Packs are available: Gloss Black, Chrome, Gloss White and Red.

For even more personalisation, customers can choose from a selection of five alloy wheels: Grey 16-inch SQUARE and Black 16-inch SQUARE wheels, for their purity and elegance, as well as Black 17-inch CROSS, Two-Tone Black/Alloy 17-inch CROSS and Two-Tone White/Alloy 17-inch CROSS wheels – the last two are diamond-cut for a truly high-end look.

Inside, the new C4 Cactus is available with five “ambiances” for customising the cabin:

• The Standard ambiance is “clean and pure” with Mica Grey cloth seat upholstery, a grey dashboard and grey armrests and straps on the doors.
• The Metropolitan Red ambiance “heightens the impression of space through its light hues and refinement”, with Beige Silica cloth seats with a dark red strip at the top, a dark red dashboard, beige armrests and beige straps on the doors and on the Top Box.
• The Wild Grey ambiance “expresses more vitality and dynamism” with Grey Silica cloth seats with a pale grey strip at the top, a grey dashboard, grey armrests and grey straps on the doors and on the Top Box.
• The Hype Grey ambiance “boasts an elegant premium feel” with Black Grained Leather seats, a grey dashboard, grey armrests and grey straps on the doors and Top Box.
• The Hype Red ambiance “is all about exceptional prestige”, with Beige Nappa Leather seats with a dark red Alcantara strip at the top, a dark red dashboard, beige armrests and beige straps on the doors and Top Box.

After the introduction of the C5 Aircross in China, the new C4 Cactus is the first model in Europe to be equipped with a suspension system that features Progressive Hydraulic Cushions (PHC), a Citroën innovation that will be rolled out on future models. Citroën has developed the new suspension system to further improve the ride quality it says is so typical of the brand.

Some 20 patents were filed in the development of the new suspension system. Whilst conventional suspension systems use a shock absorber, a spring and mechanical bump stops at each corner of the car, the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions (PHC) system adds two hydraulic stops on each suspension unit to replace the mechanical stops. There is one hydraulic stop for compression and one for decompression. The suspension therefore works in two stages to match how the car is being used.

• For light compression and decompression, the springs and shock absorbers control the vertical movements, with no assistance required from the hydraulic stops. However, the presence of these new hydraulic stops means the engineers have greater freedom in the car’s set up.
• During major impacts, the springs and shock absorbers work together with the hydraulic compression or decompression stops that gradually slow the movement to avoid sudden jolts at the end of the range. Unlike a traditional mechanical stop, which absorbs energy and then returns part of it as a rebound, the hydraulic stop absorbs and dissipates this energy.

Citroën says that with this innovative technical solution, the new C4 Cactus offers “incomparable levels of comfort, whilst taking nothing away from the car’s handling and driving pleasure”.

The front seats in the new C4 Cactus feature new high-density foam that improves seating comfort even after long hours at the wheel, or as the seats age over time.“With the New C4 Cactus, Citroën is confirming the roll-out of its comfort offensive with the introduction of two exclusive Citroën features developed as part of the Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme: the suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions™ in a European first and Advanced Comfort seats in a world first. New C4 Cactus makes unrivalled comfort accessible to the greatest number people, drawing on the brand’s know-how in well-being.” Xavier Peugeot, Citroën’s Director of Product Planning.

The new C4 Cactus is equipped with twelve driver assistance systems:

• Active Safety Brake – Reduces the risk of a collision by braking in place of the driver. The multi-purpose camera at the top of the windscreen detects obstacles, for example a vehicle moving in the same direction or when stopped. The system engages the brakes automatically when a risk of collision is detected, from 3mph (5 km/h) to 52mph (85 km/h).
• Speed Limit Recognition and Recommendation – Recognises speed signs and displays the information on the instrument panel. The speed can be registered as an instruction for the speed limiter/cruise control with one simple instruction.
• Lane Departure Warning System – Active at speeds of over 37mph (60 km/h), the system detects the accidental crossing of continuous or dotted white lines when the indicator has not been used. It warns the driver via a sound signal and visual alert on the instrument panel.
• Coffee Break Alert – This feature prompts the driver to consider taking a break after they have been driving for two hours at speeds above 43mph (70 km/h).
• Driver Attention Alert – Warns the driver when the system detects lateral movement relative to the road or lane margins using the multi-function camera at the top of the windscreen. The feature is especially suited to motorway use at speeds over 40mph (65 km/h)
• Blind Spot Monitoring System – Lights in the door mirrors warn the driver if a vehicle is present in the blind spot on either side of the car.
• Park Assist – Makes parking easier and safer. This system provides active assistance for parallel and perpendicular parking. On the driver’s request, the feature automatically detects a parking space then safely steers the car into it.
• Reversing Camera – When the driver selects reverse gear, a camera displays the rear view of the vehicle on the 7-inch touchscreen. The image is supplemented by colour reference points indicating proximity to any obstacles. This extended vision makes for easy manoeuvres.
• Hill Start Assist – To make hill starts easier, this system prevents any undesired vehicle movement on inclines when the brake pedal is released. The function activates on inclines of over 3 per cent by holding the vehicle in position for two seconds.
• Front Fog Lights with Cornering Function – Depending on the angle of the steering wheel, the left or right fog light activates in addition to the main headlights to illuminate up to a 75° angle to the right or left of the vehicle. The system operates at speeds above 24mph (40 km/h).
• Keyless Entry and Start – This system allows the driver to lock, unlock and start the car without taking the key out of their pocket.
• Grip Control – Enables the vehicle to adapt its front wheel grip depending on the surface (snow, mud, sand etc.)

The new C4 Cactus is powered by PureTech 3-cylinder petrol engines and BlueHDi diesel engines. It is available from launch with the BlueHDi 100 manual and the BlueHDi 100 S&S manual. In the autumn of 2018, it will be available with a diesel engine combined with an automatic gearbox, the BlueHDi 120 S&S EAT6, for high-mileage drivers preferring an automatic transmission.

For world export markets, the engine range is rounded off by the BlueHDi 100 S&S ETG6.