Citroen C4 Cactus – a Prince of Darkness!

Here’s one to get you scratching your heads.

What does Citroen’s C4 Cactus model have in common with the Prince of Darkness?

Well the link between the two can be simply put down to horse power – and what some may reckon to be a piece of heavy duty bubble wrap.

Back in 1992 a Californian racehorse trainer devised something called the Monty Roberts Blanket.

It was a double-carpeted cover that fit behind the saddle to cushion the effect of rails that run along the inside walls of the starting gate.

And it transformed the career of the thoroughbred Prince of Darkness, who could be a perfect gent or a killer at a moment’s notice.

He considered the starting stalls to be claustrophobic and frightening and would fight like a tiger to protect himself from the invasive walls. Protected by the blanket, he became a winning racehorse.

Citroen has something along the same lines, and it’s called the Airbump.

Citroen C4 Cactus – with Airbump

Fitted along the sides of the car and the bumpers, Airbump is basically there to protect the Cactus from knocks and scrapes.

It’s made from a thermoplastic polyurethane skin called TPU containing air bubbles to absorb any impacts and is available in four colours – black, grey, Dune and chocolate, which can be matched with the Citroen’s 10 body colours.

Whether it makes the C4 Cactus more attractive is down to personal taste, but in grey on a Shark grey body it certainly doesn’t.

It’s something different though and is one of several features, like the striking red wing mirrors, that make the Cactus such a stand-out version of the compact hatchback.

Though sharing the same wheelbase as the standard C4, the Cactus is actually 200kg lighter and is a product of the French brand’s New World New Ideas philosophy.

The upshot is more space for the driver and passengers, in a relaxing, clutter-free cabin with a low dashboard and digital screen.

Interior of the Citroen C4 Cactus

There’s also ‘Airbag In Roof’ technology whereby the passenger airbag is transferred to the roof and deploying over the windscreen.

As for comfort, the wide front seats are designed in the style of a sofa while rear legroom is similar to that of the C4.

Other touches include luggage style door handles with leather straps, a storage compartment on top of the dashboard and an optional (£425) large panoramic sunroof.

And driving aids include useful stuff like Smart Wash – washer nozzles are built into the tips of the wipers and release just a small amount of fluid – Park Assist, a reversing camera, Hill Start Assist, cornering lights and the Citroen eTouch service with its localised emergency and assistance call system.

Power comes via PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesel engines with Stop & Start, the tested 1.6-litre diesel version offering a blend of performance and economy.

Emitting just 89g/km of CO2, this model comes free of road tax and can return up to 80 miles per gallon for a light-footed driver.

Bird’s eye view of the Citroen C4 Cactus