SPY PICS: Citroen C4 Cactus
Production version of Citroen's Cactus concept is just six months away from productionCitroen revealed the Cactus concept just over two weeks ago at the Frankfurt motor show, but the French car-maker is already honing a production version of the vehicle, which is due to debut next February.
The car will be known as the C4 Cactus and will be offered alongside the standard C4 in the same vein as the C4 Picasso, with more Cactus derivatives due further down the track.
“For now, the standard C4 has many years ahead of it in its product cycle, so we have time to evaluate the success of the Cactus line,” Citroen boss Frederic Banzet was quoted as saying at the Frankfurt motor show.
“However, our research suggests that it will be a sales success. We have chosen to develop a line that will be loved by some and hated by some – it is better that way than being an average choice in an overcrowded market.”
The segment-blurring Cactus concept is a blend of hatchback and SUV as it measures a compact 4.21 metres long, 1.75 metres wide and 1.53 metres tall, yet offers ground clearance of 210mm, which is on par with most contenders in the small crossover segment.
It’s believed the production vehicle will retain most of the design elements seen on the concept, albeit with B-pillars and side and rear windows added. The bold headlight design and unusually styled alloy wheels of the concept will reportedly make the transition to the showroom-ready variant too.
Although the C4 Cactus will be a back-to-basics model, it won’t be a cut-priced stripper, according to Banzet: “We’re not aiming for low cost, but the price will be competitive. We are trying to replicate what we did in our history.”
The inspiration for the vehicle comes from past Citroens, including the iconic 2CV, which offered a quirky charm underpinned by a less-is-more design philosophy.
One of the particularly clever design elements pioneered by the Cactus concept is the co-called Airbump – the grey inserts on the front, rear and sides of the car, which are made of a durable material dotted with pockets of air. Their purpose is to absorb car-park bumps and scrapes, boosting the car’s credentials as a cost-effective everyday commuter.
The C4 Cactus will be revealed on February 5 -- 136 years to the day since the birth of the company’s founder, Andre Citroen.
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