A New, Probably Less Quirky Citroen C4 Cactus Is On The Way
While the focus for Car Throttle may mostly be fast, exciting things, the Citroen C4 Cactus is one of those ‘normal’ cars we really dig. Thanks to some smart choices made during development it’s seriously light, with some of the earlier models weighing under a tonne. It’s a very different shape to all its competitors, and how can you not love the air bumps?
Unfortunately, though, Citroen seems to have decided it was just a little too quirky. The air bumps were ditched when it was time for the facelift, and its replacement - spotted undergoing cold weather testing - is set to tone down the Gallic idiosyncracies even further.
The new model will replace both the C4 Cactus and the regular C4 hatchback. It’ll be (try your best to suppress a hearty sigh) a ‘coupe-inspired’ SUV. Also, the expectation is for the ‘Cactus’ moniker to be dropped.
The car will be built on PSA’s Common Modular Platform (CMP) architecture, which also underpins the Peugeot 2008. Judging by the engine line-up for that car, the C4 will likely be offered with a 1.2-litre petrol in three different outputs, a 1.5-litre diesel with two available power levels, and a fully electric powertrain.
To give you an idea of how the electric C4 might shape up, the e 2008 has a 50kWh battery pack, a 132bhp motor. The range for Peugeot’s CMP EV crossover is just under 200 miles.
Given the current situation, there’s a bit of question mark over when we’ll see the car in full, but the C4 should still sneak in its debut before 2020 is out, before launching in 2021.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Another stupid suv (throws up)
suv bad
I just hope that this trend dies very soon
That side profile is just discusting🤢🤮
As long as it doesn’t look too normal it should be fine. Citroën has always been to me the French Saab, and it should stay that way.
My wife has a first-gen C4 Cactus (in purple, with red wing mirror caps) and we both love its quirky, yet practical styling. It’s certainly not the fastest thing out there, but it stands apart from other cars with its black rubber ‘bath mats’ on the sides.
The second-gen was just coming out as we got it and whilst more comfortable and had CarPlay etc., just looked so much more generic and unappealing.
This new version as a coupe-SUV is looking at first glance to be even more like everything else out there: the little benefit of being raised up is countered by the sloping roof, removing potential practicality and those Airbumps are probably never coming back. Pity really, as with an EV powertrain it would have been a viable replacement for our Ribena berry on wheels come trade-in.
Coupe SUV… I dislike… From Citroen… Ughh… Cactus… Seriously, what can you expect from this? Let’s only hope it performs well.