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This is the new Citroën C4 Cactus, and it's what you get when you combine the designs of a Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and a Jeep Cherokee with a hint of woodie wagon. This is a fascinating and thoughtful little package, even if you aren't attracted by its appearance.

The Airbump system (those funny bumps on the doors designed to protect the sheetmetal from dings), which was originally shown on the Cactus Concept, is back for the production model, and will be available in four different colors. Citroën is pushing the customization angle as well, offering ten paint options matched with three different interior treatments.

Citroën isn't yet offering any information on what engines will be available, besides stating that start-stop-equipped PureTech gas engines and BlueHDi diesel will be featured, but it does offer some interesting metrics. Fuel economy and emissions for the diesel model sits at 91.1 miles per gallon on the European cycle and 82 grams of CO2 per kilometer, making it both exceptionally clean and fuel efficient. The gas engine, meanwhile, promises under 100 grams of CO2 per klick. While there's no doubting that this is down to a thrifty powertrain, Citroën's focus on weight reduction plays a big role as well.

Compared to the last C4, this car is 440 pounds lighter, tipping the scales at a scarcely believable 2,127 pounds. That is ridiculously light for any modern car, let alone a five-place crossover. Citroën cites a lightweight platform, an aluminum hood and other weight-saving tricks as contributing factors to this impressive figure. This is not some microcar, either - with a 102.3-inch wheelbase, its axles are only two inches closer together than a Ford Focus, though it's nearly seven inches shorter than the Blue Oval's hatchback overall. Key rivals are expected to include the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.

There's much more on the Citroën C4 Cactus in the video and press release below. Have a look at those and the full gallery up top, and then hop into Comments and let us know what you think of this interesting offering from France.

Continue reading Citroën C4 Cactus production model keeps it weird and bumpy [w/video]

Citroën C4 Cactus production model keeps it weird and bumpy [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Feb 2014 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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