Citroën’s main exhibit at this year’s Geneva Motor Show is without a doubt, the C4 Cactus, a compact crossover that proves there’s still room for original design in an already crowded and competitive segment.

The production version remains remarkably close to the concept car, adopting the Air Bump side, front and rear panels, which incorporate air capsules to absorb impacts and reduce vehicle repair costs in the process. The funky looking C4 Cactus features Citroën’s new visual identity at the front, especially in the area of the headlights.

The car’s interior is simple yet modern looking, featuring a sofa-style front seat bench and an optimized dashboard layout with storage compartments. Three interior trims are available: Stone Grey, Purple Highlight and Habana Highlight.

Other notable features include the ‘Easy Push’ button system that replaces the conventional automatic lever on models fitted with Citroën’s Efficient Tronic Gearbox (ETG), a standard 7-inch touchscreen for the infotainment and air-conditioning systems, and a fully-digital instrument panel behind the steering wheel.

Since the C4 Cactus is built on PSA Peugeot Citroën’s Platform 1 architecture (also used by the Peugeot 208 and Citroën C3), the crossover only weighs 965kg (2,127 pounds). That makes it 200kg (441 pounds) lighter than the C4 hatchback, while offering the same interior space. The crossover is 4,160mm (163.8 inches) long, 1,480mm (58.2 inches) tall and 1,730mm (68.1 inches) wide, riding on a 2,600mm (102.4 inches) wheelbase.

Initially the C4 Cactus will be offered with a 81hp 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol, an e-THP 108hp, a 91hp eHDI diesel and a 99hp BlueHDI diesel. The latter averages just 3.1l/100km (75.9mpg US / 91.1mpg UK) and emits 82g/km of CO2.

To demonstrate the customizing potential of the C4 Cactus, Citroën is also displaying the C4 Cactus Aventure concept car, a spectacular-looking, more off-road oriented version of the production car.

Featuring a set of BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A off-road tires, metal bull bars on both ends, an elevated suspension, riveted wheel arch extensions and a roof box incorporating auxiliary lights in its design, the C4 Cactus Aventure looks ready for a rally-raid competition.

Let’s just hope Citroën decides to build it or at least offer some of these features as options on the regular C4 Cactus as well.

By Dan Mihalascu

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