The technical characteristics of Ë-C4 x electric

Citroën has simplified the interaction necessary to make it as easy, gratifying and natural on a daily basis as any technology used at home.

Test – Citroën Ë -C4 x (2023): for taxi and green VTC

After thermal, we test the electrical variant of the raised Citroën raised sedan, in its high -end SHINE PACK version. With its 358 km autonomy, it is not intended for long family trips ..

writing

3 -volume version of the C4

From € 41,900

We make strange choices, at Stellantis. We just do not in France the thermal and hybrid versions of the new Jeep Avenger, even if we know that the potential clientele is important, while we decide to offer the Citroën C4 X with us, with a separate trunk , formula little appreciated here … After thermal, here we are gauging the electric version of this raised sedan, three -volume variant of the C4. Faced with it, the X is distinguished above all by its prominent stern, decorated with specific lights. Stretched by 24 cm, she takes the opportunity to enlarge her chest volume, which now reaches 510 L.

Just a C4 trunk

Obviously, the C4X uses the CMP platform designed at the time of PSA, and inaugurated by the DS3 Crossback as its sister. From this, the Ë-C4 x also takes up the electric motorization, also used by the bicorps: a 136 hp group combined with lithium-ion batteries of 50 kWh and cooled by water. Given the consumption announced 15 kWh/100 km, these provide maximum theoretical autonomy in mixed use of 358 km in shine, 6 km more than on the tailgate version, the tricorps enjoying a slightly better CX, at 0.29. But, this radius of action is nonetheless very average. Fortunately, housed in the floor, the accumulators do not prevent on the cabin or on the volume of the trunk, which is appreciable.

Recharge ? We can in principle go from 0 to 80 % on a quick terminal of 100 kW in 30 minutes, which corresponds to a 10 km gain per min. At home, on 8A, it will take 31 hours to perform a 0 – 100 %, time that will fall in proportion to the power of the system installed in its garage (up to 7:30 a.m.). You can even fall at 5:00 a.m. with the optional 11 kW charger combined with a ad hoc wallbox. Nothing revolutionary.

For their part, the rolling trains also retain very conventional patterns (McPherson legs at the front, torsion axle at the rear) Allied with Helicoidal and Double Hydraulic Spring Springs. These are supposed to benefit from comfort.

Great comfort

Precisely, what is it ? We went to Spain to judge, just like the relevance of the three -volume bodywork. From an aesthetic point of view, it turns out to be balanced and endowed with a real personality in the back, the front remaining that of the C4 Bicorps. In the passenger compartment, again, we find the well -known C4, except that the multimedia system has been updated.

Newsletter

Faster and fluid, the central screen is used like that of a smartphone, by side sweeping made with the finger. Pleasant. On the other hand, we would have liked the famelic combined with instruments (whose data we can choose) is made more attractive, even if the general ergonomics are proven to be well thought out. We particularly appreciate the physical air conditioning controls and the keys on the steering wheel arranged with logic.

At the rear, the available space remains that of the C4 Bicorps with this difference that the bench folder being more inclined, we feel more ease and comfort. The roof guard is also sufficient. As for the trunk, it is actually spacious, and with a very practical double background in which the charging cable is housed. On the other hand, the opening remains fairly limited, and if the bench folds, it does not release a flat floor. We would have preferred a tailgate, but the design and industrialization of the latter would have cost much more expensive ! Overall, the finish reaches a suitable level, nothing more, somewhere between MG 4 and the Peugeot 308.

Back to the front, where we appreciate the softness of the seats as well as the excellent driving position. We are rolling through the crowded streets of the center of Madrid: the Ë-C4X, by its silence and its total softness, there are relaxing virtues there. In addition, the suspension achieves remarkable work of filtration of inequalities. In urban journey, electricity, it is frankly the must, especially since the starts are more punchy than with a thermal. That said, in a frankly painful and slow traffic, consumption exceeds 21 kWh/100 km. To lower it, we have an effective brake mode, which increases the engine brake at the sunrise, without however allowing the car to stop.

A appreciated placid driving

On the road, the Citroën still delights by its comfort of seat and its sound insulation, even if the lifts of the road, due to the absence of mechanical noise, seem too perceptible. The proposed driving aids (active cruise control, centering on the track) work skillfully and brutality, while the engine provides sufficient performance for family use, but without more. However, at the exit of the roundabout, we often come to flash the witness of the traction control if we accelerate too hard: motor skills are a bit lacking. This is a defect, of course, but this car is not intended for a rally driving.

She benefits from a precise and informative direction, although in sport mode, we feel too much the magnetic centering of the steering wheel. The handling is very reassuring, with a trend marked at the limit of the limit, which can only be thwarted by raising the foot, the stern refusing to place itself. However, and despite a slightly marked roll, the Ë-C4X does not disunte on it when you suddenly, a sign of a well judged damping. Besides, its suspension always filters irregularities, even on non -tarred paths. Clearly, to have fun, it is better to keep a quiet pace and appreciate the serenity that we get. Honestly, under current driving conditions, marked by degraded roads, ubiquitous radars and often loaded traffic, it is exactly the set-up that must be.

Last point, consumption. On an 88 km journey mixing city, 4-rings, slightly mountainous roads and 2-very horizontal revs, the C4 claimed 18.1 kWh/100 km, by a room temperature sometimes falling at 3 ° C. It is completely correct and corresponds to an autonomy of 276 km. There is no doubt that on more flat roads and a less winter temperature, we would pass without incident the 300 km. However, it remains too fair to go on vacation at 800 km, so that this Ë-C4 x is rather aimed at people mostly short and sometimes very loaded: taxis or VTC.

E-C4 X

Refill with ease

Ë-C4 x electric has been designed to simplify your life. From the touch pad or the Mycitroën application, the recharging can be scheduled or delayed to enjoy for example prices in off -peak hours. The charging hatch includes a color code to follow the charging process, which can also be viewed remotely on the Mycitroën application. The connection is also very easy thanks to the ergonomic load port.

As for the cables, they can be stored under the floor of the trunk.

4 load types

• Standard: at home, for punctual needs, the battery recharges 100% in 24 hours on a standard socket.
• Green’Up type socket: On a Green’Up Legrand 14A socket, the battery recharges in 15 hours.
• Wall Box: A Wall Box socket can be installed at your home: it allows a recharge of 0 to 100% in 7:30 am in single -phase, and even in just 5 hours in three -phase with the optional charger 11 kW.
• Super fast terminal: in a public charging station, 80% of the battery recharges in just 30 minutes or at the rate of 10km/min

Intuitive interaction for peace of mind

Citroën has simplified the interaction necessary to make it as easy, gratifying and natural on a daily basis as any technology used at home.

The driver has a dedicated display on the digital dashboard to view the state of the battery or autonomy, as well as three displays to choose from: power indicator (electric meter), energy flow or consumption of thermal comfort. The latter allows you to view the impact of vehicle heating and thermal comfort on energy consumption. Accessible directly by a central console button, specific pages of the touch screen interface indicate the operating status of the system or the deferred battery load settings. When the vehicle is in charge, the screen can display the time remaining necessary to reach a full load, the autonomy recovered or the percentage of charging of the recovered battery.