compact vehicle
The new Citroën ë-C4 X: An electric SUV with 20 driving assistants and lots of space
The new Citroën ë-C4 X declares war on the competition in the compact class
© Stellantis
With the ë-C4 X, Citroën has presented an electric car that, with its unusual design, is intended to beat the competition in the compact class. The crossover SUV has numerous driver assistance systems and is even more spacious than the ë-C4.
Two years after the electric model ë-C4, Citroën follows up and announces the ë-C4 X as the big brother. The crossover model, a mixture of sedan, coupe and SUV, appears with a high bonnet with characteristic chrome strips, which run across the entire width of the body. According to Citroën design director Pierre Leclercq, the silhouette is unique and “much more dynamic and exciting” than the competition’s vehicles.
In fact, the design of the ë‑C4 X differs significantly from other compact vehicles: the French car manufacturer relies on a classic notchback with a completely separate trunk, even if such a rear seems to have fallen out of time. Because the cars of the hard-fought compact class nowadays usually have a classic hatchback. But the 4.60 meter long ë‑C4 X is intended to offer an alternative to the hatchback and SUV models of other car manufacturers for precisely this reason. The crossover is based on the company’s so-called CMP platform. “He will make an important contribution to our brand presence and our sales targets,” said Vincent Cobée, CEO of Citroën.
Citroën ë-C4 X: 29 centimeters longer than ë-C4
The French car manufacturer advertises a large amount of space and plenty of knee room for the occupants in the back seat. The ground clearance is almost 16 centimeters and there should also be enough space in the trunk. Citroën specifies its volume as 510 liters. The wheelbase is 2.67 meters and is therefore the same as the ë‑C4. However, the new crossover model is 29 centimeters longer.
There are also similarities in the drive. The engine is the same as in the ë-C4: 136 hp and with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds (in Sport mode), according to the information provided by the automaker from the Stellantis group. At a driving speed of 150 km/h it’s over. The battery information is also the same. The ë-C4 X has a 50 kWh battery and should can reach a charge level of 80 percent in 30 minutes at a 100 kW DC fast charging station. According to Citroën, charging from a domestic wall box takes 7.5 hours with a single-phase power supply or 5 hours with a three-phase power supply and the optional 11 kW on-board charger. The latter is not standard. However, its purchase should be worthwhile in order to be able to use the faster charging option. According to the WLTP, the range is comparatively short at a maximum of 360 kilometers. However, the energy generated by regenerative braking should flow back into the battery.
Voice control and 20 driver assistance systems
The ë-C4 X is equipped with the new “MyCitroën Drive Plus” infotainment interface, which was recently introduced for the first time in the Citroën C5 X flagship. The display is on a 10-inch HD screen, and it is operated via voice control, for example. The system is said to be able to understand 20 languages, provide visual feedback and respond to commands for vehicle systems such as climate control, audio media, telephone and connected voice services.
There is also a head-up display on board, which projects important driving information onto the windshield in front of the driver. A reversing camera with a 180-degree view is also installed, which shows the area behind the vehicle as seen from above. If reverse gear is engaged, the driver gets a 360-degree view, which also shows the vehicle from above.
The battery status and the available range of the ë-C4 X can be viewed on the smartphone using the MyCitroen app. Deferred charging can also be programmed and the interior of the car can be preheated or precooled. In addition, the ë-C4 X is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A holder for tablets integrated in front of the front passenger seat can be pulled out of the dashboard to suit mobile networking. And optionally, the front seats have a massage function and the rear seats have seat heating. An electrically opening panoramic sunroof is also available.
One of the special features of the ë-C4 X is the large number of available driver assistance systems, which Citroën specifies as a total of 20. This includes, for example, an automatic braking system, which is designed to recognize and react to obstacles in the event of danger or a collision, a warning system and level two semi-autonomous driving assistance. A blind spot monitoring system, an active lane departure warning system and a coffee break warning system are also available. This means that the crossover has almost as many driver assistants as the Mercedes S-Class.
In Germany and many other European markets, the ë-C4 X will appear exclusively as an electric car. Outside Europe, such as the Middle East and Africa, Citroën plans to launch petrol and diesel models in addition to the all-electric vehicle, with all vehicle variants being built at the Stellantis plant in Madrid. The market launch in Germany is planned for early 2023. How much the SUV will cost is not yet known.