2023 Citroen C4 X revealed, Australia unconfirmed

Citroen has stretched the small C4 hatchback-turned-SUV to create the C4 X, a petrol, diesel or electric mid-size sedan on SUV stilts.

The 2023 Citroen C4 X has been revealed, as the latest member of the French brand’s SUV range – though an Australian launch has yet to be confirmed.

As its name suggests, the C4 X slots between the C4 hatch-turned-small-SUV on sale in Australia, and the C5 X wagon-turned-SUV bound for local shores this year, filling a niche in Citroen’s range for a mid-size SUV with the styling of a ‘fastback’ sedan.

Underpinned by the same CMP architecture as the C4, the new C4 X is effectively identical to the regular C4 up to the rear doors – where, instead of a higher hatchback-like tail, the C4 X swaps in a longer rear overhang and a traditional sedan-style boot lid.

Measuring 4600mm long and 1800mm wide, the C4 X slots between the 4360mm-long C4 hatch/SUV and 4800mm-long C5 X – slotting it into the mid-size SUV segment in Australia, a few millimetres shorter than a Toyota RAV4.

The C4 X retains the C4’s 2670mm wheelbase, but its longer rear end – also home to a subtle integrated lip spoiler, and Citroen’s dual-line LED tail-lights – houses 510 litres of boot space, up over the C4’s 380L.

Other design highlight include a matte black rear bumpers and body cladding, large-diameter wheels and tyres, the company’s signature ‘Airbumps’ on the doors, and LED headlights.

Inside, a 10-inch touchscreen sits atop the dashboard running Citroen’s new My Citroen Drive Plus software, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, over-the-air updates, a ‘Hello Citroen’ voice assistant, eight driver profiles, and customisable widgets.

A digital instrument cluster sits in front of the driver, joining four USB ports, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, an electric sunroof, ambient lighting, and available Alcantara suede-like upholstery.

The Advanced Comfort front seats – with 15mm of foam and wide backrests for the feel of a “snug armchair” – can be had with heating, massaging and driver’s side electric adjustment, while heating is available for the rear seats, windscreen and steering wheel.

Citroen says there’s 39 litres of storage in the cabin compartments alone, complemented by a tablet holder on the passenger-side dashboard, various anti-slip surfaces, space in the rear centre armrest, and document pockets on the back of the front seats.

The use of Peugeot and Citroen’s smaller CMP architecture means overseas buyers have a choice of petrol, diesel or all-electric powertrains.

Petrol buyers can select a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine developing 74kW with a six-speed manual transmission, or 96kW with an eight-speed automatic, offered with or without auto start-stop tech depending on the market.

Available in some markets is a 96kW 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with an eight-speed automatic, however the headline option – and the only choice in some markets – is the all-electric e-C4 X.

Despite measuring 200mm longer than the electric e-C4, the e-C4 X uses the same 100kW/260Nm front electric motor and 50kWh battery pack, capable of a 9.5-second 0-100km/h time, and a 150km/h top speed.

Yet the e-C4 X’s sleeker body and resulting 0.29 drag coefficient mean WLTP driving range is rated at 360km, up 10km over the smaller e-C4. Regenerative braking allows energy to be recovered under deceleration.

DC fast charging at up to 100kW enables an 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes, or up to 10km of extra range per minute.

Using a 7.4kW home wallbox, Citroen claims a 7.5-hour charge time (to an unknown capacity) with single-phase power, decreasing to five hours with three-phase power and an optional 11kW onboard charger.

Under the skin, Citroen’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushions suspension system features, with two progressive hydraulic bump stops used in place of mechanical stops for better bump absorption.

Available advanced safety technologies include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and intersection detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert and traffic sign recognition.

Other technology highlights include a flip-up head-up display, 180-degree reversing camera, 360-degree camera, keyless entry and start, automatic parking, front and rear parking sensors, and an electric parking brake.

The 2023 Citroen C4 X will go on sale overseas in the coming months, with Europe, the Middle East and Africa. An Australian launch is yet to be confirmed – Drive has contacted the car maker’s local arm for comment.

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