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The C-Cactus is a new take on vehicle design, centred on essential values. The marque's aim is to market an ecological hatchback with cheerful, attractive styling, equipped with a hybrid HDi drivetrain and sold at the same price as an entry-level C4.

To square this complex equation, Citroën has explored new forms of design. It has decided to abandon features that are not essential to comfort and to focus instead on technology, styling and equipment that are positive, ecological and valued by users.

C-Cactus is an ecological car. It includes a significant proportion of recycled or recyclable materials and, like the plant it is named after, it is low on consumption. Weighing just 1,306 kg and featuring a hybrid HDi drivetrain, C-Cactus consumes 3.4 litres/100 km for CO2 emissions of 78 g/km, which qualifies it for zero-rated road tax and free access to London's Congestion Charge Zone.

At the same time, C-Cactus is no more expensive than a mid-range family car. Its low production cost can be attributed to the use of new materials and to a rational design process using a smaller number of parts. The cabin is made up of just over 200 parts; almost half the number used by a conventional hatchback of identical size.

Citroën claim that the C-Cactus is an "essential car", with sharp styling and attractive features. Its curves certainly give it a fun look and strong appeal, while the angles and rounded lines of the bodywork underline its dynamic character.

C-Cactus sets high standards of onboard comfort with a roomy interior that is worthy of a family car. It is 4.2 metres long and 1.8 metres wide with a wide range of equipment including air conditioning with automatic temperature control, a high-quality audio system, a panoramic glass sunroof, cruise control and a speed limiter.<