Citroen DS4 News

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its latest round of national safety recalls, with models from Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Citroen, Ram and Aston Martin affected.

Citroen Australia has recalled 1494 C4 and DS4 hatchbacks for an issue that could result in the bonnet springing open unexpectedly.

The DS4 is a  new class of car that combines the style of coupe, the space and convenience of a tall body car, ease of access of a five door car and the premium style, equipment and features of Citroen DS range of cars. Citroen 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. The DS4 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. DS4 is powered by a range of three Euro 5 compliant engines, delivering refined performance with optimised fuel and CO2 efficiency.  There are two petrol engines with a choice of 115 or 147 kW and the 82 kW e-HDI is fitted as standard with Citroen's micro hybrid system. One of the safest vehicles in its class, DS4 has been awarded a maximum five star Euro NCAP safety rating with a 97 per cent score in the Safety Assist' category. The DS4 is launched in Australia in three different versions, the Citroen DS4 DStyle 115 kW Turbo Petrol with a six speed EGS gearbox as standard is priced at a  $35,990. The DStyle e-HDI Turbo Diesel, also with an EGS gearbox as standard, is $1000 more. Topping the range, is the DSport, with a six-speed manual gearbox mated to its 147 kW Turbo petrol engine, priced at $39,990.

It's the first full electric car to get the maximum safety score, although a range of petrol-electric hybrids, including the Toyota Camry, which has just moved up in local testing, have managed a five

It will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show less than three weeks after the first of the breed, the DS3, goes on sale in Australia.The DS4 will be followed in 2011 by the DS5, which sits above the C5 range and is rumoured in Europe to contain Citroen's first diesel hybrid drivetrain.The DS4, like the DS3, takes the mechanical package of an existing Citroen model and gives it a major style tweak to create a sub-brand for fashionista around the world.Citroen describes the DS4 as a blend of creativity, dynamism, exclusivity and versatility. It sits slightly higher than the C4 with a premium cabin treatment including top-quality leather seats inside a giant panoramic windscreen.Although the car looks like a coupe it is actually a four-door that Citroen says can carry five adults."Reinterpreting cues opened up new possibilities, bringing practical and surprising solutions to automotive mobility," says the car's designer, Marc Pinson.It is already set for Australia, although Citroen is not talking about pricing beyond admitting it will cost more than the C4."The car will be coming here, in the third quarter of next year," says Citroen spokesman, Edward Rowe. "It's based on the C4, which will probably be in the second quarter. We're launching C3 and DS3 almost back-to-back this year, and the same with C4 and DS4 next year.""The cars the DS4 will be pitched against are the Audi A3, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and BMW 1 Series. It's in the premium end of the category, where the C4 is up against the Golf and Focus."