C4 Cactus shows Citroën’s future direction

Even though Citroën first showed its striking C4 Cactus concept at last autumn’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the unveiling of the full production version, last week, was still something of a surprise, simply because of how closely it sticks to that original concept.

The Cactus is something of a marker in the sand for the future of Citroën as it seeks to emerge from its financial travails and put some space between its ritzy DS models (a success in China) and its less distinctive C-badged ranges.

The Cactus will help push the latter into a more affordable, mass-appeal realm. Citroën has said it won’t chase Renault’s Dacia brand on price or simplicity, but the Cactus harks back to a time when Citroën could build the gorgeous, high-end DS saloon and the quirky, simple 2CV alongside one another.

Like the 2CV, the Cactus majors on simplicity and light weight. The basic model weighs about as much as a Ford Fiesta, despite being similar in size and space to a Focus. The light weight means we can expect lower running costs (almost all models will have sub-100g/km carbon-dioxide ratings), and Citroën says it will tailor its finance packages to reflect this.

Core engines will include a new turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol with 82bhp and a 92bhp 1.6 HDI diesel that emits 82g/km of carbon dioxide.

The Cactus is also something of a return to form for Citroën styling. It has kept the distinctive “air bumps” from the concept; the air-filled plastic panels are designed to absorb minor parking tips without damage. Inside, what Citroën says are welcoming, egalitarian bench-style front seats that end the separation between driver and passenger.