C4 Coupe range is an affordable and diverse choice of cars from Citroen and is based on the same highly adaptable platform on which the C4 Picasso and hatchback are derived. The tested car was a C4 VTR powered by a powerful and advanced 138 BHP 2 litre HDI diesel engine, matched to a 6-speed manual gearbox. This car will complete the 0-60 sprint in a healthy 9.7 seconds and attain a top speed of 129 MPH. Not bad for an oil-burner.
The C4 coupe is a reasonable looking car, a uniquely styled sporty 3 door. A lot more equipment than most of its rivals, interior is modern and boldly styled – the multi-function steering wheel is like a control surface in itself, with a floating centre-piece that remains static when the wheel is
turned – this also ensures that the airbag is deployed at the correct angle. The steering wheel design does tend to inhibit one-handed steering - the sort of thing I do when reversing.The entire cabin is spacious and airy, the C4 possesses the best leg room in its class. The dashboard and control panels are contoured and seem to be formed from sleek smooth lines and the seats are comfortable and supportive and the instrument panels are mostly digital and easy to read both during the day and at night, thanks to a translucent display. The C4 is pretty much bristling with passenger protection systems; the entire range has attained a 5-star NCAP rating. The equipment available in the tested VTR included cruise control, dual climate control and loads more.
Across the range, the equipment levels are impressive; including the sequential EGS gearing and a directional Xenon headlight system (supplied in the tested car) and a Lane Departure Warning System.
I used the car for daily commuting and general use and found it more than capable for the demands that I placed on it. The C4 Coupe was excellent at the practical stuff like carrying me to work, the shops and ferrying people about. The entire car is set up surprisingly well;tracking the corners with competently and providing enough power torque and acceleration when you tell it too. Feedback and accuracy is okay and a refreshingly non-intrusive traction control system will take over at just the right point. As with all high-performance diesel-powered cars, the delivery of traction is quite different
to that of its petrol counterpoints – the extra torque provided by the lower gearing is obvious.
A diesel-powered coupe was unheard of a few years ago and with the development of better and better diesels, the engine is not that out of place in this car. The diesel variants of the Citroen Coupe VTR do little to detract from the promise of the sporty exterior and all of this from a car that’s capable of returning a combined consumption of over 60 MPG.
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