I’m normally a great believer in ‘first impression’ but sometimes they do fail you. My first impression on seeing the spy pics and then motor show images of the new Citroën C4 was the company had wimped out and gone backwards from the refreshingly radical design of the first generation car. Seeing it in the ‘flesh’ at the local media launch presented a different set of impressions. Yes, it is not as rad, but it also not boringly conservative either. In fact, it is quite cleverly styled….and, again yes, could really qualify (with that annoying voice) for the tagline creative ‘techologie’.

The C4 design team says their new product is seen as a source of energy for the driver and passengers by delivering a positive impression of safety, while setting high standards in terms of comfort and the ambience of an interior that can be customised by the buyer.

“We see the all-new Citroën C4 as the result of a top-down review during which we set our sights even higher than before, just as we did when we reviewed the previous C3 and C5 model ranges before developing the current ranges,” explained Citroën’s head of product development, Thomas d’Haussy, who added “We aim to keep the surprises coming.” The design and development team see the latest version of a product line that started in 2004 as the successor to the Xsara, setting new standards in the compact hatchback market in that it is elegant and dynamic, rational and versatile, reassuring and modern.

The new C4 sets standards in perceived quality due to the great attention paid to minimising gaps and ensuring flush panel joints. In fact this new range is built in France using the latest manufacturing technologies including laser welding on the body shells – a first for the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group. For instance one of the benefits is that this equipment makes the roof joint invisible. This new compact hatchback is available in a choice of 10 body colours along with generous sized wheels of between 16” and 18” diameter.

Like the exterior, the interior styling of the new Citroën C4 creates an immediate impression of quality and sophistication and an overall feeling of luxury. Showcasing the cabin to subtle effect only best-in-class materials are used such as slush skin for the dashboard, jersey fabric for the roof lining and chrome detailing on the steering wheel. The instrument cluster consists of three dials which combine analogue and digital information read outs, while a new carefully designed steering wheel with centralised controls, groups the audio, telephone, speed limiter-cruise control functions in a clearly defined areas.

The interior ambience can be adapted to suit all customers. There is a choice of four polyphonic ‘ringtones’ – Classic, Crystal Symphony, Jungle Fantasy and Urban Rythmik – for the indicator side repeaters and warning signals. The driver can also select one of four intensity levels for the air-conditioning – low, medium or high and a rest function – as well as defining the colour of the instrument cluster, from white to blue. The wide windscreen can be further enhanced with an optional 1,3 m2 panoramic sunroof.

Interior space has been increased as the size of the car has grown in all directions – 5 cm longer, 2cm wider and 3 cm higher – while the luggage compartment sets a new standard for the compact hatchback class with up to 408 litres of storage capacity in a cubic shape with a low loading sill. There are also many storage spaces in the interior of the car including a refrigerated compartment in the exclusive. The car is designed for ‘business class travel’ with welcoming, comfortable seats. There is an electric lumbar massage facility for the driver and front passenger, which is new in the compact hatch market.

There are two petrol engines for the new C4, both of 1,6-litre capacity and complying with Euro V emission regulations. The VTi 120 is available with a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged THP 155 power unit is mated to a six-speed clutchless manual gearbox.

Despite its increased dimensions, greater interior space and wide range of comfort functions the new Citroën C4 is no heavier than its predecessor. This was achieved by studying each and every part and seeing if weight could be pared off it. For example, the “floating hub” steering wheel assembly is 3,5 kg lighter.

The new C4 received a five-star rating in recent Euro NCAP tests so safety remains a Citroën strong point. Standard equipment includes traction and stability control, electronic brake force distribution and emergency braking assistance, while there are six airbags – driver, front passenger, side and curtain.

Intelligent innovations for a more relaxed drive come in the form of, a programmable speed limiter and cruise control – the driver can memorise up to 5 speed settings and restore them easily when speed limits change on the road, as well as front fog lamps that can provide a second light source inside bends, thereby increasing visibility and safety on corners and intersections. The fog lamps are activated when the indicators are turned on or when the steering wheel is turned at an angle of 600 and can illuminate an area up to 75 degrees on the right and left of the vehicle. An optional blind spot monitoring system which detects a vehicle in a blind spot is also available.

This multi-connection car includes a USB port, jack and 12V power socket, and bluetooth all located at the front of the centre console. The new Citroën C4 can be equipped with a built-in new generation navigation system. This navigation system, eMyWay, includes a high-resolution colour display and an internal memory.

Sadly only the VTi Exclusive was available for the launch drive. Digital dashboards are very much a personal choice item. Personally, I’m a bit of a traditionalist so the array of constantly changing numbers was a bit too much for my liking – although changing from the bright orange to a more subtle blue did improve this. The C4 is a comfortable car and has enough rear leg room to seat adult company in comfort. The boot really is special, especially since it also houses a full-size spare wheel. Given that, in the way in which Citroën is revisiting its vehicle line-up, the C4 is very much an urban cruiser, the race to 100 km/h and terminal velocity is not all that important. What is important is how it achieves this and this is an area often overlooked by people buying a new car. The C4 produces it power quietly and effortlessly; it moves with grace from standstill – but is not afraid of giving its all. Hard cornering shows some understeer tendencies but nothing alarming. There is minimal body roll in this process and the light, but accurate steering points exactly where you are aiming.

All-in-all and over a relatively short driving route there was nothing the C4 could be ashamed about and, in considering one, prospective buyers should also remember the marque is increasingly competitive in the annual Kinsey Report on replacement parts pricing – debunking the myth about imports having huge parts bills.

Pricing includes a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and 5-year/100 000 km service plan.

Colin Windell is the editor of Fleet magazine and contributor to SACarFan.