Citroen debuts robotised six-speed manual

Citroen's stylish C4 has gained a new robotised six-speed manual gearbox that gives your left leg a rest.

Introduced for now in Euro-spec models equipped with the 1.6HDi engine (we can expect it here within months), the new six-speed automated manual is the successor to the SensoDrive transmission that has been offered here in selected Citroens for the past couple of years.

But where SensoDrive is hardly renowned for its smooth-shifting characteristics, Citroen claims the new gearbox is altogether more refined, thanks to new electro-hydraulic actuators that operate the clutch.

However, only after we've driven it will we be able to confirm whether it can match the benchmark set by Volkswagen's excellent twin-clutch DSG, which is enjoying a high take-up rate in Oz.

Like SensoDrive, the six-speeder does away with a clutch pedal as electronic wizardry takes care of these duties. Although electronically controlled, the transmission gives the driver the flexibility to choose between manual and automatic modes.

In manual mode, the driver can effect up- and downshifts via either the chrome plated, rally-style paddles that are set behind the steering wheel, or the sequential gear lever, which can be flicked forwards or backwards.

When you're in an enthusiastic frame of mind you can activate the Sport function, which is available in both manual and automatic modes. 

Engaged by pressing the S button next to the gear lever, the Sport function speeds up the gear changes, from 0.8 to 0.4 seconds in manual mode and from 1.2 to 0.5 seconds in automatic mode -- far quicker than a normal gear-change process, says Citroen.

There's also a hill-start assist system that makes it easier to start on slopes by preventing the car from rolling. Activated on both uphill and downhill slopes with a gradient of 3 per cent or higher, hill-start holds the car steady for two seconds when the brake is released.

The French manufacturer claims the electronic gearbox system returns fuel savings of up to 6 per cent compared to its conventional manual equivalent, while the clean-running diesel engine puts out CO2 emissions of just 120g/km. 

In addition, the new 1.6HDi models are now fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter System (DPFS), helping reduce particle emissions to virtually immeasurable levels, claims Citroen.