Citroen has pulled the wraps off the all-new C4. The French firm's C-segment hatchback will square up to family heavyweights like the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Golf.

The company has brought the styling bang up to date and ditched the flabby, aged lines of the outgoing model in favour of a sharp, slim body language. It still retains the trademark curved roof, but the front end in particular is much tidier, and echoes that of the current C5 saloon.

Citroen claims that the car is totally new, which is true of the exterior, but the new C4 rides on a modified version of the current model's chassis. It's also significantly larger than the previous C4: 20mm wider, 30mm taller and 50mm longer. The boot is, according to Citroen, the biggest in its class at 408 litres.

While the engine line-up has yet to be confirmed, the C4 will get the micro-hybrid e-HDi system that the company previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year. This combines a small electric motor with an existing diesel engine (most likely the 1.6-litre HDi unit) and, in conjunction with low rolling resistance tyres and stop-start technology, will result in emissions of only 99- and 109g/km depending on the model.

Numerous gadgets will be available, including hill start assist, an automatic electric parking brake, EGS (Electronic Gearbox System) and a lane departure warning system. New technology to the segment will include a blind spot monitoring system, a cornering light function and cruise control with a speed limiter and road memory settings.

Citroen's eTouch will allow drivers to keep an eye on their driving habits and fuel consumption and receive hints and tips on how to drive more economically.

The new C4 will make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show in September and arrive in UK showrooms early in 2011.

Jack Carfrae - 1 Jun 2010