2016 Citroen C4 Cactus here early next year

The uniquely styled and named C4 Cactus has been on the cards for a local release since it was revealed last year and was a chance to reach our shores at the end of this year, though has now firmed for a 2016 arrival.

The Citroen C4 Cactus will join Australia's ever-growing list of sub-compact SUVs that currently includes the likes of Mazda CX-3, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, Honda HR-V, Holden Trax and Ford EcoSport.

The C4 Cactus features unique thermo plastic urethane 'Airbumps' that form a flexible skin to guard from minor impacts and scratches. These can be had in a selection of contrasting colours that are yet to be finalized for Australia.

According to the French company the Cactus’s Airbumps can take a hit from a trolley with an impact weight of 4kg travelling at 40km/h and have no damage.

The Citroen C4 Cactus features a 358-litre boot and measures 4.16m from nose to tail, making it shorter than any of its current rivals. The little French SUV weighs just 965kg, making it lighter than most city cars.

The local drivetrain line-up is still to be finalised, but CarAdvice understands the range will include a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine paired with a manual transmission and a 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with a six-speed automatic, likely among others. Both drivetrains send power exclusively to the front wheels.

Pricing remains unconfirmed at this stage, though Citroen Australia will no doubt be very aware of the CX-3's $19,990 plus on-road costs starting point that has set the new benchmark for the segment, and price the C4 Cactus competitively.

Speaking with CarAdvice at a Citroen event in Sydney last week, the company’s local managing director, John Startari, said the C4 Cactus has the “potential to be our best seller” depending on its final pricing and specification.