Currently reading: New 2020 Citroen C4 Cactus to feature electric powertrain

Battery-powered Citroen C4 Cactus will be the first EV to market in the brand's electrification push

Citroën is planning to launch an all-new C4 Cactus in 2020 with a fully electric powertrain option, alongside conventional engine choices.

The compact SUV has recently received a midlife facelift, but that extends the current car, first launched in 2014, only until the end of the decade. An all-new version will move from the old PF1 platform to the PSA Group’s new Compact Modular Platform (CMP), shared with the next Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa

Like the 208, the platform is designed to integrate both internal combustion engines and an electric powertrain. Citroën’s senior vice president of global marketing and communications, Arnaud Belloni, confirmed to Autocar that the C4 Cactus would be the first electric model to be launched by the brand since the C-Zero city car. 

The new models form part of the PSA Group’s wide-reaching electrification plans, which will see a plug-in hybrid or electric version of every Citroën, DS, Peugeot and Vauxhall launched from next year onwards. 

Citroen concept teaser

Further details of the new C4 Cactus are thin on the ground, but we know it will usher in a new design language with inspiration from the Cxperience concept of 2016. It will also feature further developments of Citroën’s Advanced Comfort strategy, with more comfortable seats and better refinement. We can expect to see a familiar range of Puretech petrol and BlueHDI diesel engines alongside the electric version.

Before that car’s launch, in 2019 Citroën will show two new concept cars, the first of which will debut at the Geneva motor show as the centrepiece of its centenary celebrations. Belloni describes it as being “as important to Citroën as the 2CV was” and showcasing a “revolution” for the brand.

The concept will be small city-focused and previews an "affordable” production car. It will also be fully electric, and showcases what Belloni describes as a “new mobility system”.

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“It will keep the spirit of the 2CV, but instead of being a car for rural people it will be for city dwellers,” Belloni continued. During a press conference, Citroën revealed a detail image of the concept (above) showing what looks like a pull chord instead of a door handle. 

In April, Citroën will showcase its take on what a driverless car future could look like with another concept at the Shanghai motor show. It’s not known yet if that will be electric, or based on a production car. 

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Mikey C 12 November 2018

Will this replacement

Will this replacement actually be a C4 Cactus or will it be a bit larger and effectively the replacement to the "regular" C4?

catnip 12 November 2018

I really want a door pull

I really want a door pull like that. Where do I sign on the dotted line?

eseaton 12 November 2018

Thanks for the buying advice Citroën

I live in the countryside, so Citroën say this car is not for me.