With attractive, sculpted lines; impressive build quality; and an array of original upmarket features and functions, the new Citroën C4 is a perfect balance of confidence-inspiring styling and useful, convenient technologies.

Specifically designed to meet the needs of mid-size 5-door hatchback retail customers and business users, new C4 is robust and versatile; driver-focused, yet impressively comfortable; and is charged with a real 'Positive Power' - thanks to efficient Citroën engineering and an environmentally considerate range of powertrains.

Like the new Citroën C5 in 2008, and the new Citroën C3 in 2009, new Citroën C4 is further evidence of Citroën's know-how and creativity in designing efficient, stylish, innovative and safe vehicles with 'real world' practicality.

New Citroën C4's distinctive profile and balanced proportions give a clear impression of strength and stability. Defined and flowing surfaces, such as the purposeful front end and rear spoiler, hint at the model's optimised aerodynamics. Chrome detailing combines with dynamic headlight styling and sculpted alloy wheels for a sophisticated and impressive road presence.

Fractionally larger than its forerunner, new Citroën C4's compact external dimensions - 4.33m (l), 1.79m (w), 1.49m (h) - conceal generous internal volumes with spacious accommodation for all occupants; built-in versatility and practicality; and a class-leading boot volume of up to 408-litres VDA.

The high quality of new Citroën C4's interior finish is immediately apparent from the tactile soft-touch material on the top of the one-piece dashboard and the generous amounts of chrome around the dials and vents. This is a car created to deliver a supremely satisfying on-board experience as well as long-term durability.

Promising precise control and an accomplished drive, new Citroën C4's driver-focused cockpit immediately delivers a feeling of on-road comfort and confidence. Personal comfort can be tailored to individual requirements, with users able to adjust the colour of the instrument display, select their own 'polyphonic' sound alerts and even set the intensity of the automatic air conditioning to one of three different settings. For optimum levels of comfort, new Citroën C4 can be specified with massaging front seats - the first time this has been offered in this sector of the market.

New Citroën C4 is intelligently designed with a range of new convenient technologies, a number of which are unique to the segment. There is a new blind-spot monitoring system, a cornering light function, cruise control and speed-limiter with favourite speed settings and Citroën's innovative eTouch Emergency & Assistance System.

Selected models feature a new raised centre console - another first for the class - which houses a cooled and illuminated storage area that can take four 0.5-litre bottles. Other available equipment includes a Connecting Box that provides Bluetooth® and a USB socket; front and rear parking sensors; parking space 'gap' measurement; Xenon dual-function directional headlamps and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Impressive acoustic comfort and the levels of soundproofing in the car - filtering out external road noise and vibrations - have been benchmarked to the segment above.

Users can even immerse themselves in a rich, authentic audio experience with the standard specification Surround Sound audio system. Alternatively, there is the option of a premium Denon HiFi, which is new to the Citroën range.

An environmentally respectful car, the new C4 uses the latest Citroën technology to reduce its ecological impact. With CO2 emissions from just 109g/km, the new Citroën C4 is one of the most ecologically-conscious models in the segment and all diesel models qualify for free VED in the first year.

A Gear Efficiency Indicator - standard specification on all manual models - signals the optimum moment to change gear and encourages economical driving. A focus on controlling new Citroën C4's overall weight and the use of 15% 'green' materials add to the new Citroën C4's environmental credentials.

New C4 is powered by an extensive range of refined and efficient powerplants - three BMW co-developed petrol engines and four efficient HDi diesel units. Power output ranges from a refined 90hp to a punchy 155hp. Automatic, 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual and 6-speed EGS transmissions are all available.

Citroën's innovative micro-hybrid e-HDi drivetrain is available with the HDi 110 engine and EGS transmission, which delivers CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km - reducing to 99g/km on future models. A combination of several environmentally considerate technologies - including a second generation Stop & Start system with regenerative braking - e-HDi helps to improve fuel efficiency by up to 15% in city driving conditions, with CO2 emissions reduced by around 5g/km.

One of the safest vehicles in its class, new Citroën C4 has been awarded the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP rating, including a 97% score in the 'Safety Assist' category - the highest score for any vehicle of its type.

Arriving in the UK in January 2011, the new Citroën C4 will be offered in three well-specified trims - VTR, VTR+ and Exclusive - and is attractively priced, starting at £15,595, rising to £21,495 for the range-topping 2.0HDi 150hp Exclusive. Prices are inclusive of VAT at 20%.

• Exterior styling
• Interior quality
• Space, practicality & versatility
• Comfort & convenient technology
• Power & dynamics
• Efficient engineering
• Safety
• Trims
• The market