Citroen C4 Cactus to retain concept’s Air Bumps, bench-style front seat

Two key members of the Citroen C4 Cactus design team told industry journal Automotive News Europe that both styling features will carry over from the Citroen Cactus concept unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show into the production car that was spied last month and is due to go on sale in mid 2014.

Cactus concept external designer Frederic Duvernier said the material used for the Air Bumps is very resistant and durable and will be available in black or white to allow customers greater vehicle personalisation.

“It is similar to what you find in the sole of a Nike Air shoe," Duvernier said.

"The Air Bumps will protect the bodywork from small impacts, such as a shopping trolley hitting it in a supermarket parking lot."

Confirming the front seating arrangement, Citroen design program director Mark Lloyd said the single sofa-style bench seat is more expensive than a conventional layout but “will create a feeling of comfort".

"People's lives are complex and overloaded nowadays. Most of our customers are looking for simplicity,” Lloyd said.

"We have taken out anything unnecessary to concentrate on comfort and well-being."

The comments back up earlier remarks from Citroen C-line product manager Pierre Monferrini who said in September that the model would keep the unique design attributes.

“The floating C-pillar stays also,” Monferrini said at the time.

Due to be sold alongside the existing C4, Monferrini also said the C4 Cactus would feature low-powered engines and simple transmissions.

The concept car's Hybrid Air propulsion system, which PSA has previously estimated would achieve combined cycle fuel consumption figures of 2.9 litres per 100km and average CO₂ emissions of roughly 69 grams per kilometre, will not be employed as the technology is not yet production ready.