Citroën revealed the New all-electric Citroen ë-C4 X and New Citroen C4 X, featuring a unique, elegant design approach for customers seeking a desirable alternative to hatchback and SUV offerings in the affordable mid-sized car market. The New all-electric ë-C4 X and C4 X models also benefit from Citroën’s new generation infotainment interface, MyCitroën Drive Plus, offering customers a comprehensive package for connectivity and connected services. Following in the footsteps of the stylish all-new Citroën C5 X, the design of the New ë-C4 X and C4 X dares to challenge the traditional definitions of compact car bodystyles to offer customers something unique: a cross-design which combines the elegant silhouette of a fastback with the modern attitude of an SUV and the timeless refinement and spaciousness of a 4-door. New ë-C4 X and C4 X models will be built exclusively in Europe for all markets at the Stellantis Villaverde manufacturing facility in Madrid, Spain, with sales progressively commencing from Autumn 2022.
Notably, Citroën is taking the bold step of offering only the all-electric ë-C4 X model in many of its European markets where sales of electrified vehicles are already more mature. Customers who may prefer a clean and efficient combustion engine in International markets as well as selected European countries will have a range of Citroën’s proven PureTech turbo-charged, direct-injection petrol engines and BlueHDi diesel engines to choose from in the New C4 X. With its 100 kW powertrain and up to 360 km (224 miles) WLTP range, the New ë-C4 X will be the only all-electric car to offer this combination of design, comfort and saloon car spaciousness in the mainstream mid-sized market. This, combined with its capacious 510-litre boot volume, makes it the ideal companion for everyday use in cities, for example by professional drivers or chauffeur businesses.
At a length of 4600 mm, the New ë-C4 X and C4 X slot neatly into the Citroën line-up between the C4 hatchback at 4360 mm long, and the C5 X at 4800 mm. Its wheelbase at 2670 mm is same as C4 hatch as both are based on the company’s CMP Platform. When viewed in profile, the car’s dynamic roofline flows effortlessly and seamlessly from the top of the windscreen into the top panel of the boot lid to create a fastback silhouette that appears planted rather than ungainly, which is often the case with taller cross-segment vehicles. The rear overhang intelligently disguises the length required to package the capacious 510-litre boot. With a drag coefficient of just Cd 0.29, aerodynamic efficiency has been optimised thanks to the fast, crisp roofline, which directly benefits range and fuel efficiency – the all-electric New ë-C4 X achieving a range of up to 360 km (224 miles) WLTP.
The rear panel of the boot lid which folds down towards the rear bumper is clean and uncluttered with a softly integrated spoiler at the top, subtle folds below and central Citroën lettering. The panel itself leans slightly towards the front of the car further enhancing the prestigious feel of the rear-end design and heightening the car’s attitude of forward momentum. Below the boot opening, the unique rear bumper neatly houses a central number plate recess, and the lower bumper skirt is finished in matt black for protection and durability. Adding relief and elegance are gloss black inserts, while distinctive outer scoops echo the rugged feel of the C5 Aircross. Distinctive new LED tail lamps are placed either side of the boot opening and carry through the sculpted lines of the boot lid, pushing around the corners and along the sides of the car, complementing the distinctive front lamps and terminating in an arrow shape before the rear door, which further amplifies the silhouette’s dynamism.
Larger 690mm diameter wheels combined with a short front overhang give the car a raised ride height which results in a more elevated driving position, reassuring drivers with a sense of surefootedness. Matt black protective wheel arches and lower body skirts featuring Airbump® panels with coloured inserts enhance the feeling of robustness and protection. The matt black lower skirt on the front bumper links to the side and rear protective elements, while air intake grilles use a ‘macro chevron’ pattern similar to that used in the 19-19 Concept vehicle. The hexagonal lower grille is flanked each side by distinctive fog lamp bezels featuring inserts that are colour-coordinated with the Airbump® panels on the doors. The familiar front-end incorporates Citroën’s assertive rounded design signature. The high, horizontal bonnet features concave indentations, and trademark chrome chevrons stretch across the width of the body, connecting with double-height front lamps using Citroën LED Vision lighting technology to reinforce the vehicle’s high-tech credentials and provide maximum visibility.
Thanks to its smooth, aerodynamic shape, the efficient zero emission electric powertrain in New ë-C4 X offers an impressive WLTP range of up to 360 km (224 miles) coupled with near-silent and spirited performance. Regenerative braking enables the driver to partially recharge the battery and increase range while on the move by amplifying the deceleration of the car without pressing the brake pedal, recovering energy that would otherwise be lost. The 100 kW electric powertrain is powerful and energetic whatever the driving conditions, with 136 hp and 260 Nm of torque that is instantly available, a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 9.5 seconds when in Sport mode and a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph). The 50 kWh battery pack is rated as high-voltage 400 V Li-ion. Three driving modes are available – Eco, Normal or Sport – and are activated by the mode selector in the centre console.
For added peace-of-mind, the battery warranty is eight years or 160,000 km for 70% of charge capacity. New ë-C4 X is ideal for customers wanting zero emission electric power with usable range in an elegant, spacious and compact 4-door alternative to more ungainly SUV and hatchback crossovers. It will particularly appeal to professional drivers and chauffeur-driven business services needing to operate in and around cities and suburban zones where there are increasingly stringent vehicle emissions restrictions. Charging the New ë-C4 X is easy and can be done on the go at public charging stations or at home. For each scenario, the charging time has been optimised:
At a public charging station, using a rapid 100 kW DC charger (mode 4), the battery replenishes at a best-in-segment rate of around 10 km/min (6.2 miles/min), with 80% of charge completed in 30 minutes.
Using a 7.4 kW / 32 amp wall box (mode 3), recharging takes 7.5 hours with single-phase supply or as little as 5 hours with a three-phase electricity supply and the optional 11 kW on-board charger.
At home and for occasional needs, the battery can be recharged using a standard domestic socket (mode 2).
