Citroen C4 News

And, for the first time in Australia, a leading design company will join manufacturers at the exhibition as the local branch of the German design and engineering company EDAG

New Cars at Australian Motor Show

The suggestion that, in some months at least, Corollas would outsell Commodores would have got you locked up. Back then, of course, oil was but $30 a barrel.Although the VE Commodore is set to remain Australia's single, top-selling model range (see pages eight and nine) at least for the time being, the ground on which the passenger-car market is played has shifted seismically.The immediate consequence is the ever-increasing popularity of relatively economical, four-cylinder, petrol-engined vehicles. Beyond that, cars powered by alternative fuels are with us in a way that's only going to get bigger.Although diesel power comprises but a fraction of private-vehicle sales, that fraction has expanded this year to the point where "alternative" is too flighty a term.Diesel has long been the dominant fuel in Europe, where tax incentives make it affordable. But even its comparatively heavy price at the pumps, and the premium Australians are obliged to pay for diesel cars, haven't curtailed the segment's growth.At mid-year 12,182 diesel cars and SUVs had been bought by private owners. That's about one-twentieth of the number who bought petrol vehicles.But twice as many diesel cars had been bought by June 30 as had been by mid-2005.Volkswagen, now the best-selling German marque in Australia, sells more of its direct-injection, turbo-diesel models than its petrol variants.The oilers available in cars of other marques — notably Audi, Peugeot and Citroen — make their near-equivalent-capacity petrol cars redundant.VW's Polo Match diesel ($22,990) and the Citroen C4 1.6 HDi ($29,990) are just two diesels easily capable of more than 1000km on a tank.The counter-claim that this superior-to-petrol economy barely compensates for a higher purchase price is diminished by two factors.The first is that petrol equivalents of these cars demand costly premium unleaded. The second is that, increasingly, purchase prices are coming into line with those of petrol-driven cars.Although hardly the most affordable example at $86,500, the recently launched Audi A4 3.0 V6 TDI Quattro literally drives home the point that diesel doesn't mean forsaking fun.This A4 is a legitimate sports sedan that provides greater torque and superior dynamics to the $130K Audi S4 with its V8 petrol engine.The A4 TDI benefits from essentially the same technology that powered twin Audi R10 diesels to victory and third place at Le Mans in June.So, too, does parent group VW, whose range of 1.9 and 2.0 TDI Golfs starts from a less exotic $30K.If diesel provides the most readily available and popular petrol alternative (VW has an oiler model in every range, including the forthcoming Eos drop-top), petrol/electric hybrids are coming hither.If the most notable, Toyota's Prius, is a platform to showcase technology rather than a decent car, then the cheaper Honda Civic Hybrid shows that petrol-electric combinations need not mean complete compromise.And the superb GS450H by Toyota's luxury subsidiary, Lexus, points to a future where V8-equivalent performance can be had for four-cylinder fuel economy, although an affordable way of accessing something so seamless (the GS450H costs $122K) is some way off.Hydrogen vehicles are up and running, but not thus far as practical, mass-produced units.BMW has been involved in hydrogen-cell research and development for 15 years, as product chief Burkhard Goschel told CARSguide last week."It will grow up, but how fast I don't know," Goschel said."The issue is storing hydrogen. You need about 10kg for a good range. It should be in liquid form, but some issues over storage in cars has to be solved."Expect BMW to reveal a major development on this front later this year.Once omnipotent in Aussie family-car dominance, Holden and Ford Australia are belatedly getting hip to a world where unleaded petrol costs $1.50 a litre.Both manufacturers' parents have access to first-rate diesel engines. The prospect of a Falcon packing the superb 2.7-litre V6 bi-turbo diesel that also powers Citroens and Jags, is intriguing.More immediately, Ford Australia has been galvanised to harness a readily available technology.In an elaborate 23-day, 13,000km trial, an LPG-equipped Falcon is travelling around Australia for about $1000 in fuel. Lexus GS450hPrice: $121,900Engine: 3.5-litre V6 petrol & 147kW electric hybridPower (total): 253kW/368Nm plusO-100km/h: 6.0 secs (est)Fuel consumption (urban/open road combined): 7.9 litres per 100kmThe first practical rear-wheel-drive luxury hybrid sedan makes Lexus's petrol V8s obsolete.The hybrid Lexus betters the performance of the latter for fourcylinder economy. Only the lack of boot space - compromised by the RWD and battery gubbins - detracts from the package. Toyota Prius IIPrice: From $37,000-$46,500Engine: 1.5-litre hybridPower/Torque: 57kW/115Nm0-100km/h: 10.9 secsConsumes: 4.4L/100kmOutstanding economy doesn't mitigate a prohibitive price tag, laughable looks and appalling driving experience.You can have a petrol/electric hybrid without too much compromise, but not in this, the model that is unfortunately - synonymous with the technology.Honda's Civic Hybrid is not only cheaper, it also looks like a car. Peugeot 407 HDiPrice: From $61,990Engine: 2.7-litre V6 bi-turbo dieselPower/Torque: 150kW/440Nm0-100km/h: 8.5 secsConsumes: 8.4L/100kmThe Ford/PSA joint venture twin-turbo diesel engine has won friends and influenced people since making its local debut in Jaguar's S-Type.Available now in Pug's medium sedan and wagon, the thing can be accessed for $40K less. Ignoring the usual French-car caveats, these models render the V6 petrol irrelevant. Ford Territory TurboPrice: From $53,990 >Engine: 4.0-litre six-cyl turbo petrolPower/torque: 245kW/480Nm0-100km/h: 7.0 sec (est)Consumes: 14.2L/100kmAustralia's favourite SUV just got more go. Only problem is that it won't go as far - between refills, that is.The all-wheel-drive Territory Turbo is an immensely accomplished SUV that really does have car-like handling, and a superb ZF six-speed auto gearbox.Not only is the Tezza Turbo's claimed consumption figure considerable, however, it's also optimistic. Holden Commodore OmegaPrice: From $34,490Engine: 3.6-litre V6 petrolPower/torque: 180kW/0-100km/h: TBAConsumes:10.9L/100kmAustralia's favourite fleet and government hack is finally here and it's pretty good (see page 24).But is it too little, too late? Or, rather, too much, too late? Holden have made much of the fact that the incoming VE range drinks no more than the VZ series it replaces. Still that translates to almost $100 to fill from empty. Mazda 3 Maxx SportPrice: $28,500 (auto)Engine: 2.0-litre four-cyl petrolPower/torque: 108kW/182Nm0-100km/h: 9.0 secsConsumes: 8.9L/100kmIt's Australia's favourite fully-imported car and with reason - combining bullet-proof Japanese quality, strong performance, driver-orientated dynamics and good economy.Recently upgraded, the 3 comes as either a five-speed auto or six-speed manual gearboxes (another economy fillip), improved refinement and Euroequalling safety packages.The 3 range starts from $21K, but punters typically go for the upperechelon models.  COMPARING FUELS  PetrolBy degrees of magnitude the most common fuel used in passenger vehicles.PROS: Ready availability, almost infinite choice of capacity, relative affordability.CONS: Petrol prices are going in only one direction - north. DieselDiesels comprise a rapidly growing segment of the passenger car market.PROS: Economy (more than 1000km per tank in some models). Performance.CONS: Most diesel pumps are filthy. Diesel contains higher levels of sulphur. Biodiesel is rare and expensive. HybridRefers mainly to vehicles which use a rechargeable electric energy storage system and a fuelled propulsion power source.PROS: Low-polluting and low-consuming. Increasingly affordable. Near silent.CONS: Far too expensive (Prius). Dangerously silent. LPGEmission reducing and half the price of petrol, liquid petroleum gas is most commonly used in dual fuel large sedans, especially taxis.PROS: Much cheaper and much cleaner than petrol.CONS: LPG provision can eat boot space. Do you really want to drive a cab? HydrogenIn combustion variants, hydrogen is burned in much the same method as a petrol engine. In fuel-cell conversion, the hydrogen is converted to electricity through cells that then power electric motors.PROS: A BMW internal combustion hydrogen car has attained 300 km/h. Mazda has developed rotary engines to burn hydrogen. General Motors is investing in fuel cells.CONS: Making hydrogen a practical fuel is proving very difficult with no infrastructure at fuel stations to support it. EthanolWhile the grain-derived stuff is "greener" than pure petrol, by no means is it so certain that all cars will run happily on the 10 per cent recommended ethanol mix.PROS: Nice for Manildra. The Liberal Party loves it.CONS: By no means nice for your car. The Liberal Party loves it.

The dancing C4, which has transformed from car to 'bot on a rooftop rap dance in the past, is now a skate star.Citroen says its hero has become a speed skater to highlight the handling, braking and agility of the C4.As always, there is a kick. This time, the 'bot slides to a halt and showers a group of Citroen engineers with a cloud of ice dust.Creation of the skating robot was done by digitising the actions of British Olympic speed skater Nicky Gooch, as the commercial was produced in the UK."We were keen to provide an alternative style, to reveal a different side to the robot’s personality and highlight the dynamism of the car," says Mike Ibbett, Citroen UK’s Marketing Director."The C4 is now the second best selling Citroen in the UK and the revamp of our award winning advertising is designed to maintain the C4 in the national consciousness."

So why would I bother even trying one if I've already made up my mind? Because sometimes first impressions can be wrong and this was the case with the Citroen C4 HDi.I had already test driven the Citroen C4 VHS (petrol version) – and loved it – and was surprised to learn this small car came as a diesel. The man at the petrol station must have been thinking the same thing, judging by the dodgy look he gave me when I pulled up at the diesel pump.Anyway, let's answer those first impressions. As for the oily, diesel smell, I didn't notice any, in fact, the only aroma the C4 had was of vanilla wafting from the dash – from it's very own scent dispenser. How very French.However the sound of a diesel is unmistakable. It's like a tractor.Luckily, you can only hear the rumble from the outside and inside it's as quiet as a mouse, with only the excellent audio system for background noise.And despite being a 1.6-litre, the Citroen diesel is not the least bit sluggish. In fact, its punchiness and smooth power were surprising considering this is a small to medium-sized car. My own 1.6-litre car gets tired going uphill.But here was the Citroen proving me wrong – and I'm not often wrong – and doing it in a solid and sure-footed kind of way.And I really liked the way it handled. It's grippy on the road, making me feel extremely safe, and it responded in an accurate manner making it feel nimble despite, from the inside, it seeming quite wide and bulky.It is with the fuel consumption that my vote is swinging. The car arrived with half a tank, and I was informed that diesel lasts longer than petrol. Yet, after four days and only zipping here and there around town, the low fuel warning flashed up on the electronic computer. I wasn't impressed, and filling up a diesel hurts the pocket at the pump.Visibility from the C4 is great in all directions – even with its slanted windows that wrap around the car's curved shape.A gentleman even stopped and asked what I thought of the C4's visibility and I happily told him that I had noticed straight off how good it was – you can see everything and I had already seen him looking curiously at the car before he approached me.The seat adjustments, allowing you to sit as high or as low as you like in the comfy seats, increase your aspect and also make you feel bigger than you are – especially sitting in traffic next to all those SUVs. It seems every second person has one these days.But then again not every person is sitting in a Citroen with quirky extras such as its own scent or the translucent instrument display with its big numbers showing who's been a good girl and has been driving at the speed limit.Second time around, I found the fixed steering wheel was again a bit kooky but superb, except when I turned the wheel and knocked the radio off its station.Oh, well, I guess the Citroen was sick of that sappy love song.LOVE IT LEAVE ITCitroen C4 HDiPrice: $29,990LOVE ITThe sliding armrest console. The black interior is all class and minimalist – very chic. And the textured grip on the lower part of the steering wheel gets my vote.LEAVE IT The seat belt sat high over my neck and was uncomfortable. Second gear could be clunky and too many times refused to get itself in gear – even when I asked nicely. The steering felt heavy – perhaps a diesel influence?

The C6 won acclaim by safety experts for not only high levels of safety for the occupants but providing the highest level of pedestrian safety."This is the first car in the world to have an active safety system specifically designed to protect pedestrians in the event of an accident," Citroen Australia general manager Miles Williams says. The C6's bonnet pops upwards in the event of a pedestrian accident to reduce the car's impact on people.When the C6 detects an impact, two pyrotechnic bolts release the bonnet (mounted on impact-absorbing springs) to move upwards by 65mm in just 40 milliseconds.The C6 has nine airbags, a head-up instrument display, active suspension, active headrests, a speed-sensitive rear wing, lane departure warning system, front and rear peripheral radar, low pressure diffusion ventilation and laminated side windows.It comes in two engine types including a 2.7-litre V6 turbo diesel. Full details and pricing will be announced when it goes on sale in Australia in the middle of the year.Joining it on show will be the new Citroen C4 turbo diesel which promises open-road fuel consumption as low as 4.7 litres per 100km and a range in excess of 1200km.The new 1.6 HDi engine has maximum torque of 240Nm at 1750rpm which can be increased to 260Nm at 1750rpm with an overboost function.The Citroen C4 HDi will be available in the five-door version of the C4.Prices and specification will be announced when it goes on sale next month.