PARIS -- The full-electric version of the Citroen C4 compact hatchback will sell for 35,600 euros ($42,115) in France, the automaker said, as PSA Group prepares to offer a direct rival to the segment’s most anticipated new entrant, the Volkswagen ID3.
With EV and scrapping incentives available in France and other countries, the e-C4’s price falls to well below 30,000 euros. For example, a French buyer who turns in an older, higher emissions vehicle could be eligible for as much as 10,000 euros in incentives this year, including an enhanced 7,000-euro EV bonus.
Both electric and internal combustion versions of the C4 are available to order and will appear in showrooms before year-end. The car replaces the C4 Cactus in Citroen’s lineup.
The VW ID3 will be priced at 35,575 euros in Germany when it launches this month, although the price in France is 37,990 euros before incentives.
Other full-electric competitors for the C4 include the Nissan Leaf, at 33,900 euros in France; the VW e-Golf (which will eventually be replaced by the ID2) at 33,950 euros; and the Hyundai Ioniq electric at 35,200 euros. The Tesla Model 3 starts at 49,600 euros in France and offers a range of 530 km, although lower-priced models with less range are available in other European countries.
The C4 is built on an extended version of PSA Group’s CMP multi-energy platform for small and compact vehicles, and is the first compact-sized car to use the architecture.
Citroen says the e-C4 has a range of 350 km on the WLTP cycle. In comparison, the ID3’s base range is advertised as 426 km, the e-Golf’s is 231 km, the Ioniq’s is 378 km and the Leaf’s is 270 km, although both the ID3 and Leaf are available in extended-range versions.
Citroen also announced prices for gasoline and diesel versions of the C4. The gasoline C4, with 100 hp, 130 hp or 155 hp, starts at 20,900 euros. Diesel versions, with 110 hp or 130 hp, start at 23,200 euros.
There will be three main trim levels, available for each powertrain, and two “packs” with comfort and driving assistance features.
The top-of-the-range gasoline model is 31,750 euros; the top diesel is 32,200 euros; and the top electric version is 38,800 euros.
