HIGH-LEVEL PASSIVE SAFETY
The
C4 boasts a wide array of passive safety features,
including the
world’s first shape-optimised driver airbag. This
feature, which relies
on the fixed central section of the steering wheel,
improves driver
protection. The C4 also offers reinforced protection
in the event of
frontal impact, and a design that reflects efforts
to address
pedestrian impact.
For increased security, the C4 is also well
protected against theft and break-in.
A complete, reliable range of passive safety
equipment
The C4 offers the following main passive
safety features:
-
a shape-optimised driver airbag for improved
driver protection,
-
driver and passenger dual-stage front airbags.
This
system adapts to the severity of impact: if impact
is minor, only one
stage of the airbag will deploy, for high-level
protection.
-
curtain airbags standard at front and rear;
-
driver and passenger chest airbags standard at
front;
-
seatbelts with three anchor points, a force
limiter and a warning light for all seats.
The front seatbelts are fitted with pyrotechnic
pretensioners and are height-adjustable on the
saloon.
A protective, reinforced structure
Improved cabin protection in the event of frontal
impact
To
satisfy the most stringent passive safety evaluation
requirements,
Citroën conducted extensive studies on protection
from frontal impact.
-
The
C4 features an additional impact absorbing
system on the lower part of
the front end to dissipate energy more
effectively in the event of
frontal impact. This absorbing system is made up
of a lower front
bumper beam, along with subframe extensions.
-
The
mechanical resistance of the front suspension
and the lower subframe
has been optimised to enable, for example,
energy to be transmitted
under the body in the event of frontal impact.
-
Studies
were conducted on the movement of hard
incompressible parts in the
engine compartment in order to limit intrusions
into the cabin.
-
The
front doors have been reinforced in order to
better stiffen the whole.
Moreover, to reduce repair costs following minor
impacts, the C4
features plastic front wings and an aluminium
front upper bumper beam,
which is integral with the impact absorbers. In
the event of impact,
the beam and impact absorbers crumple, without
damaging the cantrails.
The same is true for the lower bumper beam,
which will crumple without
damaging the engine subframe or its extensions.
Focus on pedestrian protection
The C4 is designed to reduce the consequences of
possible pedestrian impact.
The
subframe is equipped with two impact absorbers (one
on the top part of
the front end, the other on the lower part) to limit
knee injury. The
bonnet, which is made of aluminium, features an
inner panel, perforated
at the centre, to absorb energy more effectively.
Studies
also focused on achieving a non-aggressive front
end. For example, the
boomerang-shaped headlamps are not only a key
styling trait on the C4.
They also contribute to pedestrian protection, since
the headlamps are
no longer on the top part of the bonnet.
Increased protection against theft and break-in
The C4 offers excellent protection against theft
and break-in. Key features are as follows:
-
side laminated glazing to protect the occupants
and their property,
-
deadlocking,
-
a perimetric and volumetric alarm,
-
an engine immobiliser and transponder,
-
an unpickable electric boot lock,
-
antitheft nuts on each alloy wheel,
-
automatic relocking thirty seconds after the
vehicle is unlocked if no door is opened,
-
automatic locking of the doors and boot as soon
as the car starts to move.
