Citroen Boosts DS4 Appeal

Citroen Boosts DS4 Appeal

Citroen has boosted the appeal of its unique DS4 coupe crossover with the addition of a more powerful engine matched to a six speed automatic gearbox, lifting performance while adding the convenience of a self-shifting gearbox.

“The arrival of this new variant of the Citroen DS4 is another clear sign of Citroen’s intelligent thinking,” says Lawrie Malatios. “In most cars the payoff for the ease and convenience of a full automatic gearbox is a loss of performance, but not with the new Citroen DS4. Matched to a state of the art six speed automatic is a new THP 120 engine, which adds five kilowatts and this, added to the punch 240 Nm of torque, means that the DS4 THP 120 automatic actually has a better 0-100 kmh time, down from 9.9 to 8.6 seconds, more than maintaining the DS4’s sporting credentials. Best of all, there’s just a $1000 premium for the new engine and gearbox in DS4 So Chic!”

The new Citroen DS4 THP 120 kW automatic slots into the DS4 range at a recommended retail price of $45,990 excluding delivery and dealer costs, with the advanced micro hybrid Citroen DS4 e-HDi at $46,990, while the Citroen DS4 THP 115 kW opens the DS4 family at $44,990 and the DS4 THP 147 kW tops the range at $48,990.”

“The Citroen DS4 with its combination of striking coupe crossover looks, five door hatchback convenience and high levels of premium equipment and features provides a unique addition to the New Zealand car market,” explains Lawrie Malatios. “While we expect the THP 120 to become to top selling variant, the range now has a drivetrain for every requirement from the advanced environmental credentials of the micro hybrid e-HDI to the performance of the THP 147, providing a DS4 variant for all every customer looking for a stylish, flexible and unique car.”

Citroën now has four different models in a market area in which it previously had just one body with a choice of three or five doors. By offering separate models, rather than variants of one model, the four new models are able to be tailored much more accurately to the market areas they serve and are not limited by compromises.

The two mainstream models are the Citroën C4, which covers the traditional five door small car market sector and which, in its latest incarnation, offers more comfort and space, and the Citroën C4 Picasso, which, freed of the requirement of sharing a floorpan with the C4 hatchback, is a versatile, flexible and high capable seven seat people mover. The Citroën C4 AirCross, which is planned for New Zealand in July 2012, enables Citroën family of ‘4’ models to cross over into the all wheel drive market. The Citroën DS4, meanwhile tackles the premium and prestige sections of this market sector.

The Citroën DS4 effortlessly satisfies a broad range of customer needs and engages the driver at an emotional level, enhancing the appeal and joie de vivre of the motoring experience.

Occupying a unique position in the premium lower medium segment, DS4 offers a stylish coupé design that doesn’t suffer the negatives of long, heavy front doors, limited access or compromised versatility. Historically, buyers have appreciated the visual appeal of a coupé and the exclusivity of ownership it offers, but tended to choose more practical hatchback models.

The DS4 is a new proposition that will appeal to free-spirited drivers looking for a vehicle with dynamism, sophistication and a premium character. The car’s distinctive styling blends dramatic coupé lines with versatile hatchback functionality, together with the raised-stance of a cross over.

The Citroën DS4 is positioned at an intersection of different competitor types - such as three-door coupés (e.g. VW Scirocco, Renault Mégane Coupé), 3 & 5-door hatchbacks (e.g. VW Golf, Honda Civic) and Crossovers (e.g. Nissan Qashqai, Mini Countryman). The DS4 is expected to attract attention from buyers in these segments. Key rivals also include five-door premium and semi-premium hatchbacks that offer a similar blend of status, dynamism and versatility, such as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 Sportback.

Target customers are typically successful, image conscious and aspire to a premium lifestyle. They look for desirability, style, ease of use and a refined onboard experience. They are also looking for high levels of perceived quality, with fine attention to detail both in the car’s design and production.

“These customers want a vehicle to reflect their strength of character and their individuality, to be both luxuriously comfortable and to deliver a dynamic driving experience,” says Lawrie Malatios. “They are pleasure seekers, looking for a car that offers them a sense of status. With its bold and elegant styling, multi-talented versatility and dynamic ride experience, the DS4 is the car for them.”

Citroën’s target of providing enhanced style, design and exclusivity with the Citroën DS4 is already well on its way to being met with the DS4 having already been voted “Most Beautiful Car of the Year” by more than 60,000 web users in 62 countries, a jury from the worlds of design, sport, culture and the media presented the DS4 with the “Most Beautiful Interior” prize at the 26th International Automobile Festival and the DS4 has been honoured at the 2011 Auto Bild Design Awards in Germany where it was named “Most Beautiful Car” in the City and Compact Car class.

The DS4 combines head-turning good looks with an unrivalled driving experience - both fundamental to the DNA of the DS line. By abandoning the norms of conventional design, Citroën have created a pioneering and singularly desirable addition to the DS range. Designed first and foremost as a sleek coupé, but with 5-door flexibility and a commanding, raised stance, the DS4 takes ‘Créative Technologie’ to a whole new level.

The DS4 is dominant, confident and powerful - a perfect sequel to the multi-award winning DS3.

The DS4’s striking profile immediately portrays presence and prestige. Its eye-catching lines are enhanced by a chrome-finished waistline and dark tinted windows. Sculpted wheel arches emphasise the stylish alloys. The taut roofline and rear spoiler add extra prowess. Striking ‘always on’ light signatures at the rear and around the front fog lights ensure that the DS4 stands out from the crowd.

The DS4’s defined coupé physique belies its versatile 5-door layout. Three full-size rear seats are accessed via seamlessly integrated rear doors with handles encased in the car’s extended window frames. When open, these rear doors reveal their angular shape as a uniquely elegant design touch.

A sophisticated and beautifully appointed cabin offers exquisite comfort in a premium environment. The interior exudes a sense of status, innovation and finesse through meticulous attention to detail. From the carefully tailored acoustics to the premium cabin materials, the DS4 projects an air of confidence and sophistication. In the DS4 Sport Chic version, the drilled aluminium pedals, embossed door handles and a choice of two leather combinations completes the opulent atmosphere.

A large panoramic windscreen offers enhanced occupant visibility and illuminates the driver-focused cockpit, creating a bright and welcoming environment.

Keeping form and function in perfect harmony, the DS4 boasts compact exterior dimensions - 4.27m (l), 1.81m (w) & 1.53m (h) - for exceptional versatility and day-to-day functionality.

There is room to seat five adults in comfort with generous head, leg and shoulder room throughout. A large 359 litre boot is bigger than many conventional hatchbacks.

In keeping with Citroën’s focus on ‘Créative Technologie’, the interior is home to a range of clever storage solutions for maximum convenience. The intelligent cabin design includes a raised centre console (available on models fitted with the EGS gearbox) with a cooled, illuminated and protected compartment that holds up to four 500 ml bottles and houses a connectivity area with a USB port and a 12-volt socket.

The serene onboard atmosphere is created by the DS4’s meticulous soundproofing, which is comparable to models in the segment above. The DS4 offers the opportunity to personalise the onboard ambience with a range of polyphonic sound themes. The colour of the dials and the instrument cluster can also be changed to further refine the driving experience.

The DS4’s cabin boasts intelligent innovation for ultimate user confidence and first-class travelling comfort. Additional premium touches such as massaging front seats with electric lumbar adjustment further personalise the cabin.

With its raised, taut and agile stance, the DS4 is tuned for dynamic performance that will set the heart racing. The suspension and steering are engineered to be highly responsive and smooth, with exemplary control.

Citroën’s new DS4 is powered by a range of three Euro 5 compliant engines, delivering refined performance with optimised fuel and CO2 efficiency. There are three petrol engines with a choice of 115, 120 or 147 kW and the 82 kW e-HDI is fitted as standard with Citroën’s micro hybrid system.

The spirited 147 kW THP dispenses thrilling power and performance with a top speed of 235 kmh and 0-100 kmh time of 8.5 seconds Extremely efficient, this engine returns an impressive 6.4 l/100 km over a combined cycle with low CO2 emissions of just 149g/km.

The Citroën DS4 e-HDi boasts Citroën’s innovative micro-hybrid technology, with second generation Stop & Start, boosts fuel economy by up to 15 per cent in city driving conditions and lowers the model’s official CO2 emissions to just 114g/km, while offering a combined fuel consumption figure of just 4.4 l/100 km.

One of the safest vehicles in its class, DS4 has been awarded a maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating with a 97% score in the ‘Safety Assist’ category. An extensive range of safety features are available as standard, including ESP with Intelligent Traction Control, ABS with EBD and EBA and six airbags. Other safety enhancing technology includes programmable cruise control with speed limiter and Citroën’s new blind-spot monitoring system.

Both trim and equipment versions of the DS4, the So Chic and Sport Chic, are comprehensively well equipped with all the features expected in the premium end of the market as well as unique Citroën touches such as the extra large windscreen that has become a Citroën touchstone, drinks coolers, a rechargeable torch and elegant interiors.

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