| First Drive | Malmo, Sweden | Citroen C4 e-HDi micro-hybrid |

New Citroen C4 boasts 109g/km CO₂ emissions in e-HDi micro-hybrid turbodiesel guise. Impressive, but it's bettered by existing rivals.

In the Metal

After the daring lines of the previous C4 the new car is slightly disappointing. It's more mature looking and more substantial, but a bit less dramatic. It looks like a smaller C5, so those wanting a more distinctive looking car from Citroen will have to opt for the more stylish DS4.

Like the C3 and C5 the new C4 exhibits a new level of interior quality from the French firm. There are lots of buttons around the cabin, but the overall look is one of decent quality. The EGS clutch-less transmission is standard in this e-HDi model, meaning a raised centre console with a cool looking lever for gear selection - incorporated neatly. Space is good too, with leg- and headroom generous for four adults, while a large boot means there's plenty of luggage space, too.

What you get for your Money

Prices have yet to be formalised for the C4 line-up but it's safe to say that the C4 e-HDi model will be competitively priced against similarly green-leaning rivals like the Ford Focus ECOnetic and SEAT Leon's Ecomotive. The C4 is powered by a 110bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine mated to what Citroen (and many rivals) call a micro-hybrid system. That's slightly misleading as it's not a hybrid in a conventional sense; instead it's a generator-starter motor. That gives the e-HDi micro-hybrid stop-start capability, helping reduce its emissions and improve fuel economy.

Driving it

The 1.6-litre e-HDi engine is a cracking engine; it's smooth, punchy and returns a combined fuel economy figure of 64.2mpg. The stop-start system takes a while to act if you're starting the C4 from cold, though when it is operating it's very quick at shutting down and restarting the engine. The C4 rides well, its suspension supple and body control impressive, though the steering is rather lacking in any feel.

The C4's Achilles' heel remains the EGS automated manual gearbox. In a marketplace where VW offers the DSG and Ford has the Powershift the Citroen six-speed auto feels hopelessly outclassed. It changes gears with all the precision of someone wearing lead diving boots. Trying to guess the shift point and lift the accelerator to smooth progress does little to prevent head-nodding to punctuate the shifts. The C4 is a decent enough car, but in a class where fine driving rivals like Ford's Focus, the VW Golf and new Vauxhall Astra exist it does feel slightly underwhelming to drive.

Worth Noting

Citroen is making a big deal of the C4 e-HDi's 109g/km CO₂ emissions and 64.2mpg economy, but among its green rivals that's only average performance. A Ford Focus ECOnetic manages emissions of 104g/km and combined consumption of 70.6mpg, while a SEAT Leon Ecomotive achieves a road tax dodging 99g/km CO₂ emissions figure and epic 74.3mpg combined economy figure. Citroen has a 99g/km C4 in the pipeline, but the e-HDi is already playing catch up with established rivals, despite being an all-new proposition.

Summary

The e-HDi promises green motoring, but it's slightly disappointing that Citroen is introducing its C4 with a model that's only average - in regards to its environmental performance - against its competition. Sure, a 99g/km C4 is promised, but the French firm has missed an opportunity to lead the pack. To drive it's largely forgettable too, which is an oversight in a marketplace where there are some truly exceptional rivals.