Prospective Buyers Preview Citroen C4 Cactus Concept

Since the C4 Cactus Concept will be spawning a production model, it deserves more than a second look, as it’s a distinctly funky looking car; even by Citroen’s high oddness standards… It’s even retaining the rubber padding on the doors, known as Air Bumps, as well as that family of three favorite, the bench front seat.

The Air Bumps are designed to protect the side of the car from impacts with shopping trolleys, and as the prospective buyers explained to British magazine Whatcar, they fit nicely into the design; one person goes as far as to say he would not picture it without them.

The C4 Cactus promises to be a great family companion, with a fuss-free but elegant interior (that some found a bit cramped in the back) packed full of the latest gadgets. If only they could nail down the dodgy driving dynamics that keep plaguing all of their models, it would definitely help their cause.

Check out the first impressions video, below.

By Andrei Nedelea

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Citroen Officially Reveals its Chinese Spearhead, the New DS 5LS [w/Video]

Sounding like a much sportier car than it will ever be, Citroen's first DS-branded model, the new 5LS, is a bold and brash sedan with a weird face, sleek lines and distinct Alfa Romeo proportions at the back, plus a chrome strip running the length of the car (again, though this time it’s thinner).

It measures 4,700mm in length, 1,840mm in width, and 1,500mm in height, and it will be aimed specifically at the Chinese market; production will exclusively take place locally, in Shenzen.

Its interior is in the vein of the other larger DS models, and from the sole photo we have of it, it looks okay. The funky watch-strap seats like those of the DS5 will be present too, even if we don’t see them yet.

The big talking point will probably be the front-end design, which is said to hark back to the original DS, though, I honestly don’t see it. The plan is to make this the new face of the sub-brand.

Power will come from PSA’s turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol engine with either 158hp (160PS) or 197 hp (200PS) and will be sent to the front wheels exclusively via a six-speed automatic transmission.

It goes on sale in China in March of 2014 and will be available through a 50-strong dealer network around the country. Citroen didn't say if or when it will offer the car outside of China.

By Andrei Nedelea

Live pictures via Autohome

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