SPY PICS: C4 Cactus in Oz

Two examples of Citroen's C4 Cactus have usurped the tyranny of distance, making it to Australia something like six months prior to the car's formal launch here.

The small SUV, which will slot into the local Citroen range at a lower point than the discontinued C4 AirCross, is exclusively front-wheel drive, as we've reported previously, and expected to be offered in two different drivetrain variants – a 1.2-litre three-cylinder or 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. Both engines – the 1.2-litre petrol mill being PSA's turbocharged triple, a recent International Engine of the Year award winner – have already proved their worth in Peugeot's 308.

A fairly simple design (Mac struts up the front and a torsion beam at the rear) the Cactus will offer light weight and respectable performance, with sub-5.0L/100km fuel consumption a further by-product. Local distributor for the Citroen brand, Sime Darby, holds out high hopes that the C4 Cactus will build up sales for the overlooked French brand, which is falling further behind even sister brand Peugeot, let alone others in the light and small VFACTS market segments. Cactus needs to be a hit when it arrives here early next year.

Official prices and specifications are yet to be confirmed, but motoring.com.au understands that the Cactus will be priced around $25,000.