[This article was first published on straitstimes.com]
SINGAPORE – In some ways, the new Citroen e-C4 electric crossover reminds me of the BMW iX3.
Both cars look identical to their respective combustion-engined sibling, and are not built on dedicated electric platforms. Yet, they both shine.
As Citroen’s first electric car to arrive here, the e-C4 can easily be mistaken for the petrol-powered C4 launched early last year.
It is a stylishly conceived subcompact coupe-crossover measuring 4,355mm long, 1,800mm wide and 1,525mm tall, with a 2,665mm wheelbase. That makes it around the size of the Toyota C-HR which, coincidentally, looks like a pimped-up version of the C4.
The e-C4 shares an architecture with other electric models in the Euro-American Stellantis conglomerate, including the Peugeot e-2008 and Opel Mokka-e. This three-year-old EMP1 platform is designed to accommodate combustion and electric drivetrains. Think cost savings.
Its performance is nothing to shout about. It has a single front-mounted motor driving the front wheels, powered by a 50kWh battery also mounted in front. So, weight distribution is most certainly front-biased.
It gets 97kW of power and 260Nm of torque, allowing the car to qualify for Category A certificate of entitlement which, technically, makes it more price-competitive.
For an electric car, its century sprint of 10.8 seconds is relatively leisurely, while its top speed of 150kmh is decidedly modest.
Yet, the car pleases.
It has a light-footedness which is rare among electric cars, a spring in its step which vehicles weighed down by hefty batteries simply do not possess.
This allows the Citroen to be softly sprung, which makes it particularly suited to the frequently blemished tarmac here.
Speed humps are also negotiated with very little judder, which is a good thing. On that front, the e-C4 preserves Citroen’s trademark of superior ride comfort.
The interior is also identical to the combustion-engined C4’s.
At the same time, the car’s compactness and featherweight status (1,561kg) allow it to tackle corners and directional changes with a decent degree of aptitude.
Stiff springs and rigid bodies may excel on Formula One-grade surfaces, but they are a liability on most public roads.
At the wheel, the e-C4 does not feel as lethargic as its 10.8-second century sprint suggests. Give its throttle a generous squeeze and the car will still be among the first to leave the lights. And once on the fly, the Citroen takes on an agreeable nippiness.
Again, its compactness makes it a cinch to drive, whether you are hunting for gaps in flowing traffic, zipping up and down winding ramps or slotting into a parallel parking space.
It may not be a hot hatch, but it is a happy hatch. It gives you a sense of well-being, which some cars endowed with more than double its output fails to.
The compact compartment houses the motor, 50kWh battery and electronic controls.
But like many French cars, the Citroen e-C4 is not without niggles.
In the test car, these include a red seatbelt symbol which is permanently lit, a spongy brake pedal and a floor mat which refuses to stay in place. The first item is of little consequence, but the latter two can be a little unnerving.
Road noise intrudes more than expected, and power consumption is also higher than expected, at 25kWh/100km. Its infotainment and instrumentation are also not the easiest to navigate.
Like most modern electric cars, the e-C4 has a default coasting mode. This maximises freewheeling, with very little energy recuperation. If you want the latter, just hit the B button next to the flip-switch gear selector.
Of course, cars which allow you to vary recuperation – like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 – are best. But given a choice between harsh recuperation and relaxed coasting, I will pick the latter any day.
The car’s 380-litre cargo area benefits from a wide opening and a friendly loading height.
For a small car, the e-C4 is not too much of a squeeze. Rear legroom and headroom should be adequate for the average Asian adult, while its 380-litre boot is sufficient for baby paraphernalia or a Brompton foldable bicycle.
The car is equipped with adaptive cruise control with lane assist, convenient proximity-sensing door locks, a wireless phone charger, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, head-up display and a reverse camera.
It is a pretty complete package, but with a starting price of around $186,000, it faces competition from the Chinese brands.
While it may lag the Chinese in terms of space, pace and features, the little French offering surpasses them in comfort, drivability and styling.
You decide what are more important to you.
Book a test drive with the new Citroën e-C4 now!
[Source article: straitstimes.com/life/motoring/car-review-citroen-e-c4-an-easy-introduction-to-electric-driving]
