Taunton and South Somerset Living Aug - Sep 2021

Citroen
New e-C4
Motoring Journalist Sue Cooke test drives the
economical yet sleek Citroen New e-C4...
Following 15 months of lockdown
and fewer cars on the road, people
living in the Northern state of Punjab
in India, were able to see the snowcapped
Himalayas, 200 kms away, for
the first time in 30 years. The reason
being, reduced air pollution. In the
UK concentrations of NO2, a pollutant
commonly associated with road transport
were estimated to have declined by
45 per cent in the Spring of 2020. (RQ
magazine Summer 2021)
Unfortunately, there are already signs
that pollution levels are returning to levels
closer to those observed prior to the
pandemic. So driving all electric cars will
benefit every one of us.
The new Citroen ë-C4 is the fifth
model launched as part of Citroën’s
electrification offensive and is powered
by a 136hp electric motor and 50kWh
battery that can charge at speeds of up
to 100kW through CCS rapid charging. A
single charge gives up to 217 miles.
This compact hatchback has the
qualities needed to shake up standards,
particularly with the exterior design which
I think is absolutely gorgeous. New
V shaped LED lighting front and rear
have distinctive front fog lamps with
a cornering function. A black spoiler
across the rear window didn’t hamper my
vision and adds to the sporty look. There
are 31 combinations of body colours and
colour packs and tinted side windows
with matt black detail.
The interior is just as good looking,
is spacious and full of gadgets. The
large 10 inch high touchscreen central
display controls the DAB digital radio,
six speakers, Apple car play and android
auto which I discovered can also be
operated by a voice command. There
are simple buttons to change the air
conditioning easily and a flip lever instead
of a handbrake. There is so much storage
space and I like the sun visors with
illuminated vanity mirrors.
The integrated Smart Pad support to
which I attached my tablet computer is
useful when using the car as an office.
The steering wheel controls and driver’s
instrument cluster let me know the
average mileage I was achieving. The
head up display showed the mileage I
was driving at and the mileage for the
road ahead.
Bumping along potholed urban roads can
be very uncomfortable but this compact
hatchback has enhanced suspension
and supportive seating which provided
me with a very smooth ride. Citroën’s
Progressive Hydraulic Cushion®
technology, has Progressive Hydraulic
cushions with advanced comfort seats.
With broad cushions and seat backs, they
combine high-density foam at the heart
of each seat, and a thick 15mm layer of
extra textured foam on the surface. It is
so relaxing for long journeys.
The ë-C4 has a “Brake” feature to
increase the slowing of the car without
pressing the brake pedal. The system
allows for the recovery of energy when
slowing the car, and the driver can
partially recharge the battery and increase
the range. Several driving modes are
available, activated by the mode selector
on the centre console: Eco, Normal
or Sport. The system allows the driver
to choose between performance and
optimal eco-driving.
So take a deep breath and take
advantage of the environmental benefits
of driving Citroen’s all electric e-C4.
New owners will find zero odour and
zero noise, zero vibrations, zero CO2
emissions and zero congestion charges.
Facts at a Glance
Model: Citroen e-C4 Shine
Price: £32,390 otr
Power: Lithium ion battery and electric
motor
Performance: 0-62mph in 9 seconds
and on to a top speed of 93mph
CO2 emissions: Zero
EV Range: Up to 217 miles (WLTP)
20 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk