INNOVATIVE AND MODERN DRIVING AIDS
The
C4 driver has access to a range of modern and innovative driving aids
which, combined with the interior comfort and uncluttered design of the
cabin, let him take to the road with a relaxed mind.
The lane departure warning system
The
lane departure warning system detects a lane change on a motorway or
fast road from speeds of 80 kph. It warns the driver if the car crosses
a continuous or dotted lane marking, if the indicator is not activated.
A vibrating mechanism mounted in the car seat is activated on the side
corresponding to the direction of vehicle drift, enabling the driver –
who may have suffered a moment’s distraction – to take corrective
action in time.
Six pairs of infrared sensors located
under the front bumper monitor and detect a lane change. Each pair is
made up of an infrared emitting diode and a detection cell. The
detection function relies on variations in the infrared beam reflected
by the diode on the road surface.
A control unit receives
the information and activates a vibrating mechanism in the driver’s
seat, on the side corresponding to the drift. Alerted by the vibrations
on the left- or right-hand side, the driver can then steer the car back
on course. This system, which can be activated or deactivated from the
dashboard does not disturb the passengers, and leaves the driver free
to perform manoeuvres.
Taking a significant step forward
in terms of safety, this innovation is one of the solutions developed
to make up for a loss of concentration or a moment’s distraction on the
part of the driver.
Xenon dual-function directional headlamps
The
C4 is also available with a feature that remains rare in this segment:
Xenon dual-function directional headlamps (low beam and high beam).
When
the car takes a corner, the beam lights up the inside of the curve. The
beam is angled by up to 15° (8° for the headlamp on the outside of the
bend, and up to 15° for the headlamp on the inside). This feature
allows the driver to see where he is going and to distinguish other
road users and possible obstacles. This is an important advantage in
terms of safety since, at a speed of 110 kph, the car covers more than
30 metres every second. When Citroën developed this function for the
DS, the controls were mechanical. Today, they rely on electronics.
This
swivelling beam enhances the lighting quality of the Xenon
dual-function discharge lamps, which are active in both the low-and
high-beam positions.
By improving driver visibility and
reducing visual fatigue, this feature brings significant gains in
safety and driving pleasure.
Front and rear parking assistance
The
C4 brings customers an effective parking aid, with the introduction of
front parking assistance, alongside the rear parking assistance
function.
The sensors work in the same way at the front
as at the back. Four sensors located in the bumper inform the driver
that an obstacle is present in their detection area when vehicle speed
is lower than 10 kph. The system emits a series of beeps that gradually
become more frequent as the car approaches the obstacle, becoming a
continuous signal when it is just a few centimetres away.
The
system lets the driver view the distance separating the car from the
obstacles at both front and rear. The multifunction screen displays the
silhouette of the vehicle, along with six detection areas.
The parking assistance function can be disabled from the dashboard.
Cruise control and the speed limiter
Cruise control and the speed limiter round out the list of new comfort and safety equipment.
Cruise control lets the driver keep the car going at a programmed speed without using the accelerator pedal.
With
the speed limiter, the driver defines a maximum speed not to be
exceeded. If he wishes to exceed this speed from time to time, he can
stamp down hard in order to bypass the end-of-travel stop under the
accelerator pedal.
For the cruise control and the speed
limiter, the driver simply programmes a required speed using the
function on the fixed-centred controls steering wheel. A readout on the
translucent instrument cluster then shows the programmed speed and the
status (active/inactive) of each system.
The low tyre-pressure warning system
Already
present on the C5 and the C8, the low tyre-pressure warning function
enhances the range of safety equipment present on the C4. This system
measures the pressure of all four tyres. Each tyre is fitted with an
emitter and a pressure sensor, which sends information to the central
control unit. When one of the tyres drops below its preset pressure
level, a message immediately flashes up on the multifunction screen to
warn the driver. At the same time, a buzzer sounds. In the event of a
puncture, the “Stop” indicator will also come on. In this way, this
feature detects any under-inflation that could have an adverse impact
on the car’s stability and on the safety of the occupants.
In
addition to enhancing safety, this function also encourages the driver
to check tyres regularly and to correct inflation levels. These checks
bring gains in terms of reduced road noise, fuel consumption and tyre
wear.
