Dongfeng and Citroën have unveiled the new C4 sedan at the Chengdu Motor Show in China.

Designed specifically for the domestic market, the new C4 sedan will launch at the end of this year and will replace the C-Quatre in the core “three-box” C-segment. The C-Quatre was an important model for the Dongfeng Citroën joint venture, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the company’s sales last year.

Built in Wuhan, China the new Citroën C4 sedan is 4.55m (179.1in) long, being positioned between the C-Elysée and the C4 L.

The French automaker says the new C4 sedan moves up-market in terms of perceived quality and gains latest-generation technologies. The model gets a new 130hp 1.2-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox. A naturally aspirated 1.6-liter petrol engine with 117hp is also available. Later on, Citroën will offer a 1.6-liter turbo with 163hp. Standard features include a touchscreen, hands-free access and start as well as a blind spot monitoring system.

Citroën says the launch of the new model will ensure optimal coverage in the Chinese marketplace, as C-middle segment saloon models accounted for 60 percent of passenger car sales in 2014. Furthermore, the C-segment as a whole represents more than one out of every two passenger cars sold.

Dongfeng Citroën is hoping the new C4 sedan will follow in the footsteps of the C3-XR small SUV, which has already sold over 30,000 units since its launch in December 2014.

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