Citroen’s DS4 was first released in Australia without the option of an automatic. Now the company has released the coupe crossover with a more powerful engine and matched it to their six-speed automatic gearbox.
The brand are claiming that the DS4 with the full automatic loses none of its performance as the state of the art six speed automatic and the new THP 120 engine are tuned specifically to match each other’s characteristics. The new engine boasts an additional five kilowatts and this, added to the punchy 240 Nm of torque, means that the DS4 THP 120 automatic actually has a better 0-100kmh time, down from 9.9 to 8.6 seconds, more than maintaining the DS4’s sporting credentials.
Citroen Australia expects the new DS4 DStyle THP 120 kW to be the dominant variant in the Citroen DS4 range, but adds that it also complements the existing variants, each of which is tailored to specific customers from the advanced environmental credentials of the micro hybrid e-HDI to the performance of the THP 147, providing a DS4 variant for all.
Citroën now has four different models in a market area in which it previously had just one body with a choice of three or five doors. By offering separate models, rather than variants of one model, the four new models are able to be tailored much more accurately to the market areas they serve and are not limited by compromises.
The new Citroen DS4 DStyle THP 120 kW automatic slots into the DS4 range at a recommended retail price of $35,990, with the advanced micro hybrid Citroen DS4 DStyle e-HDi at $36,990, while the Citroen DS4 DStyle THP 115 kW opens the DS4 family at $35,990 and the DS4 DSport THP 147 kW tops the range at $49,990, all excluding statutory charges, delivery and dealer costs.
The two mainstream models are the Citroën C4, which covers the traditional five door small car market sector and which, in its latest incarnation, offers more comfort and space, and the Citroën C4 Picasso, which, freed of the requirement of sharing a floor pan with the C4 hatchback, is a versatile, flexible and high capable seven seat people mover. The Citroën C4 AirCross, enables Citroën family of ‘4’ models to cross over into the all-wheel drive market. The Citroën DS4, meanwhile tackles the premium and prestige sections of this market sector.
Occupying a unique position in the premium lower medium segment, DS4 offers a stylish coupé design that doesn’t suffer the negatives of long, heavy front doors, limited access or compromised versatility.
The DS4 is a new proposition that will appeal to free-spirited drivers looking for a vehicle with dynamism, sophistication and a premium character. The car’s distinctive styling blends dramatic coupé lines with versatile hatchback functionality, together with the raised-stance of a cross over.
The Citroën DS4 is positioned at an intersection of different competitor types – such as three-door coupés (e.g. VW Scirocco, Renault Mégane Coupé), 3 & 5-door hatchbacks (e.g. VW Golf, Honda Civic) and Crossovers (e.g. Mini Countryman). The DS4 is expected to attract attention from buyers in these segments. Key rivals also include five-door premium and semi-premium hatchbacks that offer a similar blend of status, dynamism and versatility, such as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 Sportback.
Citroën’s target of providing enhanced style, design and exclusivity with the Citroën DS4 is already well on its way to being met with the DS4 having already been voted “Most Beautiful Car of the Year” by more than 60,000 web users in 62 countries, a jury from the worlds of design, sport, culture and the media presented the DS4 with the “Most Beautiful Interior” prize at the 26
th International Automobile Festival and the DS4 has been honoured at the 2011 Auto Bild Design Awards in Germany where it was named “Most Beautiful Car” in the City and Compact Car class.
The DS4 combines head-turning good looks with an unrivalled driving experience – both fundamental to the DNA of the DS line. By abandoning the norms of conventional design, Citroën have created a pioneering and singularly desirable addition to the DS range. Designed first and foremost as a sleek coupé, but with 5-door flexibility and a commanding, raised stance, the DS4 takes ‘Créative Technologie’ to a whole new level.
The DS4 is dominant, confident and powerful – a perfect sequel to the multi-award winning DS3.
The DS4’s striking profile immediately portrays presence and prestige. Its eye-catching lines are enhanced by a chrome-finished waistline and dark tinted windows. Sculpted wheel arches emphasise the stylish alloys. The taut roofline and rear spoiler add extra prowess. Striking ‘always on’ light signatures at the rear and around the front fog lights ensure that the DS4 stands out from the crowd.
The DS4’s defined coupé physique belies its versatile 5-door layout. Three full-size rear seats are accessed via seamlessly integrated rear doors with handles encased in the car’s extended window frames. When open, these rear doors reveal their angular shape as a uniquely elegant design touch.
A sophisticated and well-appointed cabin offers exquisite comfort in a premium environment. The interior exudes a sense of status, innovation and finesse through meticulous attention to detail. From the carefully tailored acoustics to the premium cabin materials, the DS4 projects an air of confidence and sophistication.
A large panoramic windscreen offers enhanced occupant visibility and illuminates the driver-focused cockpit, creating a bright and welcoming environment.
In keeping with Citroën’s focus on ‘Créative Technologie’, the interior is home to a range of clever storage solutions for maximum convenience. The intelligent cabin design includes a raised centre console (available on models fitted with the EGS gearbox) with a cooled, illuminated and protected compartment that holds up to four 500 ml bottles and houses a connectivity area with a USB port and a 12-volt socket.
With its raised, taut and agile stance, the DS4 is tuned for dynamic performance that will set the heart racing. The suspension and steering are engineered to be highly responsive and smooth, with exemplary control.
Citroën’s new DS4 is powered by a range of four Euro 5 compliant engines, delivering refined performance with optimised fuel and CO
2 efficiency. There are three petrol engines with a choice of 115, 120 or 147 kW and the 82 kW e-HDI is fitted as standard with Citroën’s micro hybrid system.
The spirited 147 kW THP dispenses thrilling power and performance with a top speed of 235kmh and 0-100kmh time of 8.5 seconds. Efficient, this engine returns 6.4 l/100 km over a combined cycle with low CO
2 emissions of just 149g/km.
The Citroën DS4 e-HDi boasts Citroën’s innovative micro-hybrid technology, with second generation Stop & Start, boosts fuel economy by up to 15 per cent in city driving conditions and lowers the model’s official CO
2 emissions to just 114g/km, while offering a combined fuel consumption figure of just 4.4 l/100 km.
One of the safest vehicles in its class, DS4 has been awarded a maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating with a 97 per cent score in the ‘Safety Assist’ category. An extensive range of safety features are available as standard, including ESP with Intelligent Traction Control, ABS with EBD and EBA and six airbags. Other safety enhancing technology includes programmable cruise control with speed limiter and Citroën’s new blind-spot monitoring system.
Both trim and equipment versions of the DS4, the DStyle and DSport, are comprehensively well equipped with all the features expected in the premium end of the market as well as unique Citroën touches such as the extra-large windscreen that has become a Citroën touchstone, drinks coolers, a rechargeable torch and elegant interiors.
The new BMW 3 Series Touring will offer outstanding value when it goes on sale in February 2013 with increased luggage space and versatility, more luxury features, fuel-efficient TwinPower Turbo engines and more advanced technology.
BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Phil Horton said that this latest 3 Series Touring sets a new benchmark in the premium mid-sized estate segment.
“The 3 Series was the model for which the claim “the ultimate driving machine” was created and this hasn’t been diluted with the new 3 Series Touring. It takes the best of the 3 Series driving dynamics and blends this with the elegance and versatility of a sports wagon.” Mr Horton said.
Both of the new BMW 3 Series Touring models available from launch demonstrate class leading efficiency and performance with the entry point 318d Touring boasting a BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine producing 105kW of power and 320 Nm of torque. Coupled with the standard 8 – speed automatic transmission the 318d accelerates to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds and boasts a staggeringly low fuel consumption figure of 4.7l/100km with emissions of just 123 grams of CO2 per km.
The new BMW 320i Touring features BMW’s much-lauded new TwinPower turbo four-cylinder direct injection engine producing 135 kW and 270Nm of torque. The 320i comes standard with an 8-speed Sports Automatic Transmission (with steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters). The result is class-leading acceleration and efficiency with the 320i Touring sprinting to 100km/h from standstill in just 7.5 seconds whilst sipping a mere 6.2l/100km and emitting 145 g/CO2 per km.
Nearly all dimensions have grown in the new BMW 3 Series Touring, compared to its predecessor and competitors it offers more cabin space and a larger cargo area whilst rear passengers will appreciate the additional rear legroom and improved access.
Along with the extra room for passengers the cargo area has increased in size, now offering a best in class 495 litres loading which can be extended to 1500 litres with the rear seats folded down. But it’s the innovative flexibility of the luggage area that stands out with these new models, with a 40:20:40 split/folding rear seats and large aperture for the electric opening two-part tailgate, the combinations for cargo carrying demonstrate the impressive versatility of the new BMW 3 Series Touring.
Following on from the 3 Series Sedan, BMW has introduced an eight-speed Automatic transmission as standard for the range, the 320i with gearshift paddles. Combined with other BMW EfficientDynamics technologies including the standard Auto Stop/Start, Brake Energy Regeneration and ECO PRO mode for the new Driving Experience Control, this highly efficient transmission helps the new BMW 3 Series Touring achieve its outstanding efficiency and emissions.
Model for model the 3 Series Touring share similar standard specification with the Sedan variants. Comfort and luxury features for the 318d include dual-zone climate control, cruise control with brake function, power-operated windows and exterior mirrors, automatic lights and rain sensing windscreen wipers, rear Park Distance Control, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free mobile phone use with compatible devices, and MP3 compatible CD audio systems with Auxiliary and USB inputs. Also included is automatic operation for the split tailgate as an additional Touring specific feature.
Additional to this the 320i also comes standard with electric seat adjustment including memory function, rear view camera, 17” Star-spoke alloy wheels, front Park Distance Control, Sports leather steering wheel and the interior lights package that provides additional reading, vanity and ambience lighting throughout the car.
Safety is always a high priority in all BMW vehicles and for the new 3 Series Touring BMW includes the Active Protection system that initiates a range of protective measures if an accident is imminent. In addition to this, all models are fitted standard with six airbags, and Dynamic Stability Control that includes ABS, Brake Assistant, Cornering Brake Control and Dynamic Traction Control.
“The substantial increase in standard equipment and the latest technology evident in the new 3 Series Touring offers a huge improvement in value, both compared with its predecessor and its direct rivals in the market,” said Mr Horton.
BMW 3 Series Touring Australian Pricing:
