A SPORTING GEM FROM CITROEN
14 June 2007 - Citroën UK Ltd

Motoring writers drive the latest models and motoring magazines tend to concentrate their coverage about mainstream models.

So it makes a real change to discover a non-volume production model, which is a real gem of a sporting coupe, and sold at a bargain price,

The gem is the special edition Citroen C4 ‘by Loeb’ launched earlier this year to honour one of the world’s most successful rally drivers, and current World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb and to mark the launch of the Citroen C4 WRC rally car. Frenchman Loeb has taken three World Rally titles in a row, 2004-2006, and currently lies in second position in the 2007 championship. He has won over 30 World Championship rallies to date since he debuted for Citroen in 2002.

Citroen launched just 400 units of the C4 ‘by Loeb’ for sale in the UK, the flagship 180bhp 2.0-litre priced at a bargain £14,995 and two even more affordable variants, the 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol and diesel, with prices from just £12,795. Over half of these special edition models have already been snapped up by customers.

In addition Citroen launched at the same time their C2 Junior World Rally Championship contender with the ‘by Loeb’ treatment. Just 310 of these 125bhp, 1.6-litre petrol models went on sale at £9,995 and again customers have wasted no time in buying them.

The real star in the ‘by Loeb’ collection is the top of the range C4 2.0i 16V 180bhp that I find remarkably well priced at £14,995. For this Citroen at least do not expect any of their well known discount or cashback offers.

The car is based on the attractively styled and sleek C4 three door Coupe and is available in Citroen Sport Red or black, the red looks terrific. The coupe body has fared wheelarches and a rear tailgate spoiler with 17-inch white or grey alloy wheels and subtle ‘by Loeb’ badging, discreet stripes and the vehicle’s individual 1-400 serial number.

Inside the C4 ‘by Loeb’ the sports seats are upholstered in a smart combination of red and black, cloth and leather trim with the Citroen Chevrons embroidered in the leather front head restraints. The sports theme is continued with the fitting of a chrome gear knob and centre consol trim, leather covered steering wheel and central armrest and the fitment of drilled alloy pedals.

Other than body colour the C4 ‘by Loeb’ has no other options, it is fully equipped with such items as an multi-function on-board computer, remote central locking, automatic dual zone air conditioning, tinted windows, electric front windows and door mirrors, scented air freshioner, stereo radio and CD player, steering wheel mounted controls, fully adjustable driver’s seat and adjustable steering column, automatic wipers and lights and split folding rear seats to make the most of the load carrying space.

This special edition model is based on the C4 Coupe 180 VTS with the same 2.0-ltre engine, firmed up suspension and roughly the same equipment levels which sells for £18,020 or currently £15,020 with Citroen’s cashback offers in place. So if you cannot find a C4 ‘by Loeb’ for sale go for the C4 VTS Coupe instead for more or less the same price but missing the ‘by Loeb’ cosmetic styling details.

It is not unusual for car manufacturers involved in motorsport to offer go-faster styling and performance replicas to the buying public. But generally they are vastly more expensive than the C4 ‘by Loeb’ and not really that comfortable or easy to drive on public roads. This gem is no competition for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru Impreza WRX STi or the Ford Focus ST for out and out performance, but then it isn’t priced in that category, it costs far less to run and day in day out, it is nicer to drive and has a higher level of specification.

It scores heavily over all competitors in its class for value for money and real-life driveability. Top speed is 141mph, 0-62mph is covered in just over eight seconds and it will return 33.6mpg with a competitive insurance group rating of 15E. It of course has anti-lock braking and an electronic stability programme with traction control as well. With today’s traffic congested roads and prolific tax gathering speed traps and cameras what is the point in paying far more for performance when it cannot be used?

This car is comfortable without the suspension being too soft or too firm. It has copious amounts of road grip with a precise steering system giving good feedback to the driver. The engine is responsive and in conjunction with the five-speed close ratio gearbox it is at home on fast A and B roads or in town. Perhaps a sixth gear would be nicer for motorway driving but that is not crucial. Road noise intrusion is minimal.

The C4 Coupe ‘by Loeb’ is a win-win car. It looks great, it is versatile, fairly sporty, very well equipped and it is attractively priced, everything you need in fact.

MILESTONES. Citroen C4 2.0i 16V 180bhp ‘by Loeb’ Coupe. Price: £14,995. Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol 180bhp, 202Nm of torque. Performance: 141mph, 0-62mph 8.3 seconds, 33.6mpg (32.5mpg actual), CO2 200g/km, Group F £205 road fund tax. Benefit in kind tax, 27%. Insurance group: 15E.
For: Good looks, refined sports styling treatment, very affordable, high equipment levels, good useable performance, versatile body design, large enough for four adults.
Against: Nothing.

Miles Better News Agency

www.citroen.co.uk

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