A FEAST of gadgets is being used by Citroen to make its new C4 hatchback a car for the techno generation.

From software which can change the sound of the indicator clicks to an advanced stop/start system, the latest C4 is a showcase for modern auto electronics.

Some are gimmicky, some can be life savers and some can help save hundreds of pounds in running costs.

When it goes on sale in the New Year the latest C4 will be setting out to go head to head with the next Ford Focus due for release a few months later.

Priced from around £16,000 to £21,500 the C4 will be competitive and as a diesel will be exempt from road tax for private buyers.

However, the C4 has its quirks - not least the electronic gearbox which is used on the models fitted with Citroen's new high efficiency e-HDi system.

With its robotic clutch the semi-automatic box takes some getting used to and for the unwary it can result in a lurchy drive.

Manual changes using steering wheel mounted paddle shifters help iron out the ride but the experience is nowhere near as satisfying as that delivered by VW's DSG boxes or Ford's Powershift transmissions.

The redeeming feature is the stop/start system which cuts CO2 emissions from the 110bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine to 109g/km.

Coupled to other energy saving devices such as regenerative braking and low rolling resistance tyres and the C4 e-HDi is said to be 15 per cent more fuel efficient around town.

Average fuel consumption is claimed to be in the region of 67mpg - and that alone will win it many fans.

Nevertheless, while the C4 rides well there is a neutral feel to the steering and the handling is uninspiring but with the car aimed at the more mature motorist that's unlikely to be a problem.

Citroen is already planning a sportier DS4 version which will have wider appeal to younger drivers.

Outside, the C4 has smart but conservative looks. The new-look Citroen face with its wide grille suits it to a tee.

Inside the C4 is suave with a classy finish to the switchgear. The trim is smart and the dash incorporates soft-touch material creating an upmarket feel.

A bonus of the electronic gearbox - which in itself has a neat gear selector - is that it frees up space in the centre console which Citroen has seized upon to create a large cool box just below the dash.

There is also an unfeasibly deep glove box, plenty of extra storage space front and back while the car also features USB and iPod connections plus a mains socket and power inverter enabling the likes of a laptop to be operated onboard.

From a driver's point of view the instrumentation is quite busy and there are a lot of controls mounted on the steering wheel - many duplicating functions such as the audio switches which are also housed in the centre of the dash.

The main instrument cluster is a mix of digital and analogue displays with backlighting which can be switched through a range of blues and white shades depending on your mood.

That's quite an appealing feature but the choice of four mobile phone style polyphonic tones for the onboard alerts was more than annoying.

Names such as Crystal Symphony, Urban Rhytmik and Jungle Fantasy hint at what you are going to get when you signal left or right - a bit of fun, but why bother?

In a more sensible vein, electronics such as blind spot and lane departure warning systems, stability controls and a cruise control which can be pre-programmed to automatically lock on to changing speed limits are all valuable parts of the C4's armoury.

Gone from the previous generation C4 are the onboard perfumed air diffuser and the static steering wheel hub and in are cornering lights and Citroen's eTouch Assistance system which enables manual or automatic emergency calls to be made in the event of an accident.

Big car features such as massaging leather seats and uprated Denon audio equipment are available as extras but additional speakers for the latter eat into the 408 litre boot space.

Annoying gadgets and electronic gearbox aside, the new C4 has a fair bit going for it.

As well as the eco version, which after the VAT rise in January will be priced close to the top of the range at around £19,800, Citroen will also be offering conventional 1.6-litre diesel and a two-litre 150bhp diesel in the C4 line up.

Petrol engines will include 1.6-litre units with power outputs ranging from 120 to 150bhp and a 1.4-litre entry level engine developing 95bhp.