C4 comes to market

Citroën has released photos of its new C4, the long-awaited replacement for the Xsara. Aimed at the most important segment of the Irish market, it will take on the Ford Focus, VW Golf andToyota Corolla.

Due to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show next September, the car comes in two very distinctive formats: a rounded saloon and a shaper focussed coupé. The most distinctive design feature is the integration of the grille and Citroën's chevron badge, which splits when the bonnet is opened, and gives a chunky front-end look.

The coupé bears a striking resemblance to the C4 Citroën Sport concept unveiled at Geneva this year in rally attire. Citroën is making much of its rallying heritage these days - hardly surprising given its success in the WRC, leading the manufacturer's rankings while its driver Sebastian Loeb leads the driver's championship.

Among new features in the road-going C4 will be an innovative lane departure warning system. The system warns the driver if the car crosses a continuous or broken line, unless the indicator is on. A vibrating mechanism in the seat is triggered on the side corresponding to the direction of drift to further alert the driver.

The new C4 will also feature a low tyre-pressure warning system, though whether it will remain as standard on the Irish version due here in October remains to be seen.

The C4 will be introduced with five petrol engines from 1.4-litre to 2-litre developing between 90 and 180 bhp, and three new-generation HDi diesel engines developing between 92 and 138 bhp.