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2011 Citroen C4 Scores 5-Star Euro NCAP Crash Safety Rating

With still a year until its local launch (although the brand won't be short of new models this year), Citroen has confirmed today that the all-new 2011 Citroen C4 has scored a 5-Star Crash Safety rating with ANCAP's European sister organis


With still a year until its local launch (although the brand won't be short of new models this year), Citroen has confirmed today that the all-new 2011 Citroen C4 has scored a 5-Star Crash Safety rating with ANCAP's European sister organisation, Euro NCAP.

While the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme is unlikely to put the C4 through the ringer until next year, the Euro NCAP score offers a good guideline for Australian buyers, thanks to the largely identical testing criteria between the two groups.

When the C4 arrives on Australian roads around this time next year, it will face off against best-selling rivals, the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

The new C4 will get its first public unveiling at next month's Paris Motor Show, before going on sale in Europe early next year.

Measuring 50mm longer than its first-generation predecessor, the new C4 is 4330mm long, 1790mm wide (up 20mm) and 1490mm tall (up 30mm).

By comparison, the VW Golf 6 is 4199mm long, while the upcoming 2011 Ford Focus is a considerably longer 4539mm. Citroen has not revealed the new C4's wheelbase measurements.

Also unknown is the new C4's weight, although Citroen promises that its use of laser welding and new manufacturing techniques will see its latest hatch give little away to the previous model.

Despite its shorter exterior dimensions, the C4 offers 408 litres of rear storage space with the seats up - 20 litres more than the new Focus, and 58 litres more than the more compact Golf.

On the styling front, much of the new C4's design is clearly influenced by the DS High Rider concept, revealed earlier this year. The High Rider is also likely to influence the look of the DS variant for the new C4.

Citroen has worked to create a more stylish interior for its new C4, although the more premium materials and features are expected to be reserved for the DS.

When the C4 launches in Europe, it will feature three petrol engines and two diesel engines, as well as two e-HDI 'micro-hybrid' models.

Petrol engines will include a 70kW 1.4 litre paired with a five-speed manual transmission, an 89kW 1.6 litre paired with the manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, an LPG-compatible version of the 1.6 litre and a 115kW turbo version of the 1.6 mated to a six-speed automatic.

The diesel line-up will include 65kW and 80kW variants of a 1.6 litre HDi engine mated to a manual transmission, and a 110kW 2.0 litre HDi.

Both versions of the 1.6 litre HDi will be available in micro-hybrid e-HDi form, featuring a Stop-Start system and an electric motor mated with the diesel engine. While fuel economy should be vastly improved, total output is expected to remain unchanged.

Other efficiency features of the e-HDi model will include Michelin Energy Saver low-rolling-resistance tyres, combining with the hybrid powertrain to offer CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km, right down to 99g/km for e-HDi future models.

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