The 2011 Citroen DS4 will go on sale in Australia in December hot on the heels of the all-new Citroen C4 hatch, which arrives in the third quarter.
The new Citroen DS4 – voted the Most Beautiful Car of the Year in January – will become the second premium vehicle in Citroen’s DS line of cars, following the DS3, which launched in Australia in September 2010.
Details of the UK-spec DS4 were released overnight, revealing a three-tier model range: DSign, DStyle and DSport.
Edward Rowe from Citroen’s Australian distributor, Ateco Automotive, said the local arm was yet to nail down exactly what the Australian DS4 range would look like, although he confirmed there would be a choice between petrol and diesel powerplants.
Five different engines will be offered in the UK: three petrols and two diesels.
The three petrol units have been co-developed with BMW. The 88kW/160Nm VTi and the 115kW/240Nm THP are carried over from the standard C4 range. The range topping THP 200 produces 147kW of power and 275Nm of torque, and promises a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 8.5 seconds.
The diesel engines include the 82kW/270Nm units from the new C4 as well as the 120kW/340Nm from the C5.
Australian DS4 models are expected to be available with a six-speed manual or six-speed EGS sequential transmission.
In the UK, the entry-level DSign will come standard with ESC and six airbags, Hill Start Assist, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, six-speaker audio system and cruise control with speed limiter.
The DStyle will add 18-inch alloys, automatic headlights and wipers, front sports seats with massage function, part leather upholstery, climate control, aluminium drilled pedals and rear parking sensors.
The performance-oriented DSport tops the range with 19-inch alloys, front heated seats, full leather upholstery, front parking sensors, blind spot monitoring system and enhanced exterior styling.
The DS4 is 4270mm long, 1810mm wide and 1530mm tall, making it 60mm shorter, 20mm wider and 40mm taller than the C4 hatch on which it is based. The 385-litre boot is 23 litres smaller than the C4.
Like the C4, the DS4 has been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
Citroen says the DS4 will compete with a range of different vehicles including coupes like the Volkswagen Scirocco and the Renault Megane, hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Golf, crossovers like the MINI Countryman, and premium hatchbacks like the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the Audi A3.
Full pricing and specification details of the 2011 Citroen DS4 will be revealed at the vehicle’s Australian launch in December. Stay tuned.
