Special Offer detail

C1 AND BUY ONE

Models Covered: (3/5dr hatchback 1.0 petrol, 1.4 diesel [Rhythm, Vibe])

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

If, like me, you’ve been inundated with headlines about rising insurance premiums, soaring fuel bills, punitive emissions taxation and frankly ludicrous congestion charge pricing, you might well be looking to ditch your gas guzzler and switch to a titch and little cars don’t come much more funky and fun than Citroën’s C1. Affordable pricing from new has seen these cars sell like hot cakes with the inevitable effect of softening the used valuations. If you’re looking for a low-mileage city scoot, you can’t do a whole lot better than the C1.

The C1 debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show alongside two other suspiciously similar looking creations, Peugeot’s 107 and Toyota’s Aygo. Those in the know will realise that all three share a common platform, the companies spreading the costs of developing the cars between them. Of the three cars, the Aygo featured the most distinctive styling whereas the Citroën targeted the budget consumer. The Peugeot appeared to be left to pick up the pieces. The Citroën C1 was also gifted a huge advantage in being the only one of the three cars offered with a diesel engine from launch, Toyota eventually adding a diesel in February 2006, giving Citroën eight months advantage in offering an oil burner in their citycar.

Unlike many tots, the C1 offers a choice of either three or five-door body styles. It also has an unthreatening and fun appearance with a face that looks as if it’s either grimacing or grinning depending on the angle at which you view it. The wide wraparound bumper, the rounded bonnet and bulbous headlamp clusters may not endear the C1 to the sort of pimply adolescents who hang around McDonalds car parks and revere the C2 VTR, but it has sold well to those with a little less testosterone coursing through their system. The rear end is very nicely finished with a glass tailgate, big crystal and anthracite rear light clusters and a deep under-bumper assembly. The wheelarches are surprisingly beefy and the rear set are sculpted a little further forward in the three-door bodystyle. The five-door car sees its rear doors meet the rear light clusters in a very neat piece of packaging. Citroën has been regaining its reputation for bold and exciting interiors of late and the C1 continued that trend. The first impression when looking at the virtually symmetrical fascia is that this must have been a vehicle that was very cost effective to convert to right-hand drive but the design is neat and ergonomically sound. Headroom inside the car isn’t at all bad, even for someone well over six feet tall and the big glass area up front gives an airy feel to the cabin. The rear of the three-door car is notably more claustrophobic and is really only suitable for kids and short journeys. Rear knee room in the five door car is little better but at least the car’s beltline is a little lower, making it feel a little less hemmed in. The front seat backrests are hollowed out to provide a little more rear legroom for back seat passengers, but there really is only so much that can be done with a car with a 2.34 metre wheelbase. Citroën learned a whole bunch of lessons from their experience of MPV-style vehicles and the C1 offers no fewer than twelve storage compartments dotted about the centre console, dashboard and doors, with the door bins easily capable of holding an A4-sized atlas. Total luggage room with the rear seats in place is quoted at 139-litres, but drop the rear seats and there’s an impressive 751 litres of space. This makes the C1 a car that can do more than just a light shop.

Prices start at around £4,525 for a 1.0-litre C1 Vibe, with the Rhythm model commanding £5,675 on a 2005 05 plate. You’ll still need around £5,700 to get your hands on one of the desirable diesel variants. Although it may not initially seem that way, for most buyers the petrol will work out the more cost-effective proposition. As you might well expect, insurance for the C1 is extremely cheap with the 1.0-litre cars rated at Group 1 and the 1.4-litre diesels at Group 2. Citroën dealers often offered free insurance schemes to tempt younger drivers into C1 ownership with some youngsters deciding to sell when this period expired.

The C1 hasn’t had any major faults or serious recalls but do insist on a fully stamped up service record and inspect the car carefully for parking knocks and scrapes. The C1’s plastic bumpers can shrug off some quite hefty scuffs without affecting their function but if there are abrasions use them as a negotiating point. The interior is very hardwearing.

(approx based on a 2005 C1 Vibe 1.0) C1 spares are relatively cheap with an oil filter retailing at around £8, a starter motor retailing at around £90 and front brake pads costing a very reasonable £30 a pair.

Parking at the supermarket for the weekly mission isn’t going to present too many difficulties. At just 1.6m wide, the C1 will easily be able to take advantage of those awkward spaces next to the concrete columns that are so often rejected. What’s more, at just 3.4m long, you’ll probably be able to access the tailgate while still tucked safely into your bay, away from errant trolleys and distracted drivers. You get to choose between petrol and diesel but that’s as far as it goes. The range starts with the entry-level 1.0-litre Vibe variant or there’s a plusher Rhythm trim level that was £500 more from new. If you want a diesel, you have to have Rhythm and five doors. Plump for the green pump and you get a 68bhp 1.0i unit, while those looking for a diesel option get a 54bhp HDi engine. As might well be expected, both units are EuroIV-compliant and both return over 60mpg on the combined fuel economy cycle. Even in town, you’ll be hard pressed to nudge below forty in the diesel. Five speed manual gearboxes are fitted as standard.

Of the Citroën C1/Peugeot 107/Toyota Aygo trio, the C1 has been by far the best buy if you’re after a brand new car. It still represents the best value if you’re after a diesel car although I’d probably plump for the Toyota if petrol power was a priority now that prices have levelled. Whichever C1 you choose, you’ll end up with a cracking citycar and one which manages to make most of its rivals look old and limited.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC
An iPod is undoubtedly the thing to have amongst today’s trendy urbanites. Citroen hope that the ‘Airplay’ special edition will help their C1 assume similar status. Steve Walker reports…

Anyone between the ages of 16 and 25 who is not in possession of an iPod might as well give up all pretence of being ‘hip’ or ‘with-it’ and start wearing socks with their sandals right now. The slimline white, black or multicoloured boxes with their accompanying earplug headphones have become the essential accessory to fashionable modern life. It’s not as if they’re difficult to get hold of either and buying one is very much a last resort. There hardly seems to be a competition or promotional offer going these days that doesn’t promise a free iPod of some description. From Kentucky Fried Chicken to the Ministry of Defence, there’s barely a company or organisation out there that hasn’t attempted to woo the public by dishing out Apple’s eminently covetable little MP3 player. It was never going to be long before car makers like Citroen got in on the act.

Citroen have some good products in their range and others that even border on the excellent but, crucially, they also have a masterful marketing department. From the legendary cashback deals on new vehicles to the famous dancing robot TV advertisements, the French firm really know how to make the most of what they’ve got. This is why it was only a matter of time before we got to see something along the lines of the Citroen C1 Airplay special edition. Yes, the Citroen with free iPod has arrived. Now, you can see the appeal behind a mobile phone, a flat-packed chest of draws or a chicken fillet burger with the opportunity to claim a free iPod: even competitions where the first five correct callers win one. None of these require a personal investment that could be considered significantly more valuable than the iPod itself but the Citroen C1 Airplay is a £7,595 car. Are Citroen going to generate a stampede of would-be customers with a free gift worth less than 2.5% of the product’s list price? Luckily, there’s more to the C1 Airplay package than the free iPod.

"…the main reason why buyers should be attracted to the C1 Airplay is that the Citroen C1 is such a thoroughly competent little citycar…"

What you actually get is a one gigabyte black iPod Nano plus an integrated docking station that allows you to rest the iPod at eye-level on the dash and play your vast library of music through the car’s above average stereo system. In addition, Citroen are throwing in remote central locking and front electric windows, neither of which feature on the 1.0-litre Vibe model that the Airplay is based on. The special edition also comes with either red or ‘chrome’ interior trim. Normally, the Citroen Airplay would be £500 more expensive than the Vibe, which seems reasonable given the extras thrown in, but Citroen being Citroen, they’re offering cashback deals that render the Airplay £300 cheaper than its more sparsely equipped and iPod-less relation. For another £70, buyers can also opt for a set of exclusive Airplay decals that adorn the hindquarters of the vehicle. The red and black graphics spell out in no uncertain terms that you’ve got an iPod on board in the same way that the white headphone wire snaking from inside your jacket does when you’re out and about. This may be great for your street credibility but it may not be the best idea from a personal security point of view. All iPods aside, the main reason why buyers should be attracted to the C1 Airplay is that the Citroen C1 is such a thoroughly competent little citycar. Citroen may have the magic touch when it comes to marketing but the C1 stands up to scrutiny even when the promotional smoke and mirrors are stripped away. The Airplay is available in three or five-door form powered by the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine. It’s a surprisingly vocal powerplant given its size and although the performance is far from stellar, the feisty engine note gives you plenty of encouragement to explore the upper reaches of the rev range. When you do, the 0-60mph sprint can be covered in 13.7 seconds and there’s a 98mph maximum but this isn’t really the point. Although the car is brisk enough off the line and up to 30mph or so, the engine’s standout feature is its 61mpg combined cycle fuel economy. Both the economy and the performance are helped significantly by the C1’s modest kerbweight and the 109g/km CO2 emissions aren’t bad either. Once, paying bottom dollar for a small runabout meant you slammed the door gingerly and operated the controls with a degree of caution because you expected things to drop off but the C1 and its brethren have a level of build integrity that really does inspire confidence. You can see where corners have been cut to keep the price down. There’s only one strut to support the boot lid, one piece of string that lifts the parcel shelf and basic equipment levels are, well, basic. In this car though, none of it seems to matter. The money-saving innovations are clever and almost endearing rather than cheap and annoying. The features you need to get the most from the car day to day work well. The dash layout is neat and modern, the controls are simple and thought has obviously been given to the provision of useful storage space. The C1 offers outstanding rear legroom considering its dimensions and there’s a reasonable amount of boot space behind. The car is extremely light with a kerb weight of under 900kg and this translates into handling that’s lively and fun, although strong winds tend to give it a bit of a buffeting. Good citycars need to be compact, cheap and economical but it also helps if they’re cute and trendy as well. Citroen’s C1 manages to fulfil the urban runabout brief as comprehensively as anything out there at the moment and the Airplay special edition gives it even more gravitas with its iPod generation target market. There are cheaper ways to get hold of a free iPod but unless you enjoy using premium rate phone lines or you’re addicted to fried chicken, few are as rewarding as the Citroen C1 Airplay.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C1 Airplay+ PRICES: £7,595-£7,945 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 1 CO2 EMISSIONS: 109g/km PERFORMANCE: Top Speed 98mph / 0-60mph 13.7s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 51.4mpg / (extra urban) 68.9mpg / (combined) 61.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/width/height 3435/1630/1465mm

ONE FOR THE ROAD
Citroen’s improved C1 citycar offers an attractive entry-point for ownership of the French marque. Jonathan Crouch reports

Citroen’s C1 shares its design but not always its tight pricing with Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107 stablemates that roll down the same production lines. It’s a clever design that maximises space and offers the advantage of a five-door option over the similarly-sized C2. Styling enhancements and small improvements to fuel consumption and emissions make the latest version particularly attractive.

If, understandably, you were under the impression that Citroen’s sub-supermini-sized C2 was the French maker’s offering in the citycar sector, you’d be wrong. That position is occupied by this car, the C1. It’s more affordable than the similarly-sized C2 and offers the option of five as well as three doors. Leaving aside the headache that must give Citroen dealers on the sales floor, there’s also the issue of how it can differentiate itself from the re-badged versions of this design also on sale at Peugeot and Toyota dealerships. Citroen being Citroen, they’ve solved that problem by simply offering better value as you’ll find if you compare prices. That leaves the C2 overlap, partly solved by equipping that car with a wider range of engines. OK, it does mean that the C1 buyers only get a single choice when it comes to either petrol or diesel powerplants, but even that’s more than Toyota or Peugeot will offer you in their citycar alternatives. Both these makers reckon there’s no market for citycar diesels. Citroen beg to differ. As a C1 buyer, you get either an improved 68bhp 1.0i petrol unit or a 54bhp 1.4-litre HDi diesel. Five speed manual gearboxes are fitted as standard and there’s a refreshing lack of gimmicks and nonsense that can plague some small cars as manufacturers look to differentiate their wares. With this Citroen, you just get a citycar that’s small, manoeuvrable, easy to see out of and very simple to operate.

"When it comes to hammering down running costs, Citroen’s C1 is extremely tough to beat…."

It’s almost comical how little car there is behind the rear seats and when reversing into a multi-storey bay, it’s worth remembering that you can afford to leave yourself some breathing room at the back. Quite what a tailgating articulated truck would look like to a rear seat passenger is the flip side of that characteristic! Both the engines have something to be said for them but the petrol unit that most choose does feel more willing and revvy and perhaps a little more suited to the C1’s up and at ‘em personality. The steering feels somewhat artificial and takes some getting used to but it doesn’t require much effort to twirl the car into a parking space. The C1’s exterior has been given a smart upgrade in recent times, with changes to the car’s front end, complementing the looks of the updated C2. There are revised wheels and trims, whilst inside there is better quality upholstery and smarter materials. Unlike a number of its rival tiny runabouts, the C1 offers a choice of either three or five-door body styles. The glass tailgate looks good but unlike that on the C2, doesn’t extend down to bumper level, which might be a pain if you’re constantly wanting to load in heavy shopping. The wheelarches are surprisingly beefy and the rear set are sculpted a little further forward in the three-door body style. The five-door car sees its rear doors meet the rear light clusters in a very neat piece of packaging. Citroen have been regaining their reputation for bold and exciting interiors of late and the C1 continues that trend. Headroom inside the car isn’t at all bad, even for someone well over six feet tall and the big glass area up front gives an airy feel to the cabin. The rear of the three-door car is notably more claustrophobic and is really only suitable for kids and short journeys. Rear kneeroom in the five door car is little better but at least the car’s beltline is a little lower, making it feel a little less hemmed in. Bootspace is the same, whether you choose the three or the five-door – 139 litres with all the seats in place or 751 litres with the rear seat folded. As we all know, list prices (in this case the typical £7,000 to £9,000 bracket common to this class) are only the starting point for negotiation but bear in mind that on a car this inexpensive, the dealer will have less to play with in terms of discounts. Allow £500 more if you want five doors rather than three. Some buyers may have reservations about the safety of such a minute car. Nudge up against a behemoth 4x4 in a car of the C1’s size and it’s easy to feel rather threatened, but the C1 is likely to have better safety systems than some sizeable SUVs. As well as a specially developed body structure that incorporates crumple zones and impact absorbers at the front and rear, the C1 also boasts ISOFIX child seat anchor points, reinforced doors and up to six airbags. What’s more, it’s also well equipped to avoid a fender bender in the first instance with anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and corner stability control. The C1 has also been designed to limit the consequences of a pedestrian impact – wise indeed for a car that will doubtless spend much of its life in the urban environment. The front end features no sharp edges and impact absorbers up front also help to limit leg injuries. There’s plenty of clearance between the impact absorbing bonnet and the top of the engine which means that shock is dissipated without coming into contact with anything hard. Where the C1 scores an almost unbeatable mark is in the field of cost of ownership. The nippy 1.0i 68hp petrol engine emits less CO2 than any other petrol powerplant currently on sale in the UK, boasting lowered CO2 emissions of just 106g/km (2.7% better than before), and a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 62.8mpg (2.1% better). At 22.0 pence per mile over a typical three year ownership period, an entry-level C1 1.0 is one of the least expensive cars it’s possible to run. Unlike its Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107 rivals, the C1 offers its buyers a diesel option and in this form, the car will return 68.9mpg on the combined cycle. Given that there’s a price premium of around £1,000 for the diesel and that most C1s don’t cover huge mileages, the diesel is actually the more costly model to own of the two and is also nearly two seconds slower to 60mph. No prizes for guessing where the smart money goes. One area where the diesel does fare better is, rather surprisingly, servicing charges but it falls into insurance group 2 rather than the Group 1 premium of the petrol models. The Citroën C1 is one of the better buys in the city car sector, developed with the kind of design budget that guarantees a good result. It might not be as spacious or as versatile as, say, a Fiat Panda but when it comes to hammering down running costs, it’s extremely tough to beat. What’s more, low running costs don’t come at the expense of everything else. The C1 is a fun car to drive with a cheeky personality and the no-nonsense approach to build quality means that there’s not a whole lot to go wrong. On top of that, there’s no safer car in the class, so if the price is right, you can understand its appeal.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C1 range PRICES: £7,095-£8,825 - on the road [est] INSURANCE GROUPS: 1-2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 106g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.0] Top Speed 93mph / 0-60mph 13.7s FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.0] (combined) 62.8mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/width/height 3435/1630/1465mm

C1 AND WANT ONE?
Hang on – don’t Citroen already have a capable citycar in their line up? Well here’s another. Andy Enright takes a look at the C1.

This is getting difficult to keep up with. Citroen’s C3 fits the established supermini mould pretty well, so when the French company launched the smaller C2, we figured it was a citycar. The unveiling of the C1 has thrown all our neat classifications into disarray. A true citycar, this looks set to sell by the shipload. To confuse matters further, Citroen refer to the C1, C2 and C3 as their ‘Supermini’ range. I think it’s time to hang the definitions and take a look at the hardware.

The C1 debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show alongside two other suspiciously similar looking creations, Peugeot’s 107 and Toyota’s Aygo. Those in the know will realise that all three share a common platform, the companies sharing the costs of developing the cars between them. Of the three cars, the Aygo looks the most distinctive and looks set to command premium prices whereas the Citroen targets the budget consumer. Where this leaves the Peugeot in the carve up for the citycar consumer is open to question but Citroen’s importers have some pretty formidable quotas they’re looking for the C1 to fill and I wouldn’t bet against them succeeding. Unlike many tots, the C1 offers a choice of either three or five-door body styles, priced from £7,095. It aims to offer an unthreatening and fun appearance with a face that looks as if it’s either grimacing or grinning depending on the angle at which you view it. The wide wraparound bumper, the rounded bonnet and bulbous headlamp clusters may not endear the C1 to the sort of pimply adolescents who hang around McDonalds car parks and revere the C2 VTR, but it’ll doubtless sell well to those with a little less testosterone coursing through their system. The rear end is very nicely finished with a glass tailgate, big crystal and anthracite rear light clusters and a deep under-bumper assembly. The wheelarches are surprisingly beefy and the rear set are sculpted a little further forward in the three-door body style. The five-door car sees its rear doors meet the rear light clusters in a very neat piece of packaging. Citroen have been regaining their reputation for bold and exciting interiors of late and the C1 continues that trend. The first impression when looking at the virtually symmetrical fascia is that this must have been a vehicle that was very cost effective to convert to right-hand drive but the design is neat and ergonomically sound. Headroom inside the car isn’t at all bad, even for someone well over six feet tall and the big glass area up front gives an airy feel to the cabin. The rear of the three-door car is notably more claustrophobic and is really only suitable for kids and short journeys. Rear kneeroom in the five door car is little better but at least the car’s beltline is a little lower, making it feel a little less hemmed in.

"The C1 represents a new generation of citycars"

There’s a circular theme to the dashboard instruments with the main binnacle, separate rev counter and air vents all adhering to this theme. Taking a lead form the Mitsubishi Colt and Smart Forfour, the Citroen C1 uses a translucent material for the heater control system, in this case glowing a soft orange whenever the lights are turned on, mirroring the colour choice of the driver information and audio system displays. All four seats are trimmed in two-tone material with a choice of fabric or velour finish, complementing the door panels. The front seat backrests are hollowed out to provide a little more rear legroom for back seat passengers, but there really is only so much that can be done with a car with a 2.34 metre wheelbase. Citroen have learned a whole bunch of lessons from their experience of MPV-style vehicles and the C1 offers no fewer than twelve storage compartments dotted about the centre console, dashboard and doors, with the door bins easily capable of holding an A4-sized atlas. Total luggage room with the rear seats in place is quoted at 139-litres, but drop the rear seats and there’s an impressive 751 litres of space. This makes the C1 a car that can do more than just a light shop. Parking at the supermarket for the weekly mission isn’t going to present too many difficulties. At just 1.6m wide, the C1 will easily be able to take advantage of those awkward spaces next to the concrete columns that are so often rejected. What’s more, at just 3.4m long, you’ll probably be able to access the tailgate while still tucked safely into your bay, away from errant trolleys and distracted drivers. Engine choice isn’t – as yet – a C1 highlight. You get to choose between petrol and diesel but that’s as far as it goes. The range starts with the entry-level 1.0-litre Vibe variant in three-door form at £7,095 or in five-door form at £7,455. There’s a plusher Rhythm trim level at a £500 premium. If you want a diesel, you have to have Rhythm and five doors for a price of £8,925. Plump for the green pump and you get a 68bhp 1.0i unit, while those looking for a diesel option get a 54bhp HDi engine. As might well be expected, both units are EuroIV-compliant and both return over 60mpg on the combined fuel economy cycle. Even in town, you’ll be hard pressed to nudge below forty in the diesel. Five speed manual gearboxes are fitted as standard. Some buyers may have reservations about the safety of such a minute car. Nudge up against a behemoth 4x4 in a car of the C1’s size and it’s easy to feel rather threatened, but the C1 is likely to have better safety systems than many a sizeable SUV. As well as a specially developed body structure that incorporates crumple zones and impact absorbers at the front and rear, the C1 also boasts ISOFIX child seat anchor points, reinforced doors and up to six airbags. What’s more, it’s also well equipped to avoid a fender bender in the first instance with anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and corner stability control. The C1 has also been designed to limit the consequences of a pedestrian impact – wise indeed for a car that will doubtless spend much of its life in the urban environment. The front end features no sharp edges and impact absorbers up front also help to limit leg injuries. There’s plenty of clearance between the impact absorbing bonnet and the top of the engine which means that shock is dissipated without coming into contact with anything hard. Safe, stylish and looking set to offer sparkling value for money, the C1 ticks most of the citycar boxes. It lands in a tough corner of the market, but it’s difficult to see how Citroen won’t have a winner on their hands with this one.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C1 range PRICES: £7,195-£9,025 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 1-2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 109g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.0] Top Speed 93mph / 0-60mph 13.7s FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.0] (urban) 51.4mpg / (extra urban) 68.9mpg / (combined) 61.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/width/height 3435/1630/1465mm

ONCE YOU C1, YOU’VE SEEN ‘EM ALL
Could The 1.4-Litre HDi Engine Be The One That Helps Citroen Triumph In The Battle Of The Baby Citycars. Steve Walker Finds Out…

It’s no secret that the Citroen C1, the Peugeot 107 and the Toyota Aygo are one and the same car. Even the manufacturer press offices, who usually deny this sort of thing until they’re collectively blue in the face or cynically steer journalists in another direction, have made reference to the fact in their press releases. Aside from some minor specification and styling differences, the badges and a few small variations in pricing, there’s little to choose between the three models. All of which places prospective buyers in something of a quandary. Perhaps the 1.4-litre HDi engine in Citroen’s C1 could be the determining factor.

The problem with diesel engines in small cars is that they’re not always the cost-effective option that some people think they are. You’ll invariably benefit in terms of fuel economy if you pick a model that drinks from the black pump but the savings will not always be large enough to justify the premium you pay to get the diesel engine in the first place. In most cases, you’ll either have to run the car over a very long period to recoup the extra outlay or else cover the kind of annual mileage that most small car owners simply do not need to do. The best reason to buy a diesel citycar is because you like the driving characteristics of the engine. That way, any fuel economy benefits you incur will be a bonus. Try piloting the Citroen C1 HDi through some urban sprawl and you’ll soon find that there’s plenty to like. The C1’s other powerplant is a 998cc 3-cylinder petrol engine and if you keep your foot in the corner, it’ll produce an appealingly gruff engine note that belies the car’s cute styling. Unfortunately, performance, although reasonable, isn’t quite as muscular as the acoustic accompaniment suggests. With 55bhp on tap, the 1.4-litre HDi common-rail injection engine actually generates less power than the 68bhp petrol alternative and posts a slower 0-60mph time but it dwarfs the 3-cylinder unit with its massively superior torque.

"The Citroen C1 HDi steps straight into a position at the head of the diesel citycar market"

If your C1 is to be used for low speed, urban motoring where every traffic light seems to be red and pulling out of junctions is a pedal to the metal, drop the clutch affair, the 130Nm of torque available from 1,750rpm in the diesel will be a real boon. The petrol option can only manage 93Nm at a lofty 6,000rpm so that gesticulating driver you’ve just pulled out in front of will be looming in the mirror like he’s sitting in your back seat by the time you get up to speed. The diesel displays more muscularity than the petrol option at the kind of velocities that urban congestion forces us to do and its punchy nature should assist in extricating yourself from sticky situations. The penalty you pay for this is that it’s substantially noisier than the petrol when idling and cruising. When paired with the C1, the 1.4-litre HDi engine returns a stupendous 69mpg on the combined cycle. That’s compared to the merely excellent 55mpg you get from the petrol model. There’s a big difference but the diesel’s £1,000 price premium means you’d have to run it for 8,000 miles a year over nearly nine years before you made your money back at the pumps. The C1’s HDi engine can also offer one of the lowest CO2 outputs of any car currently on sale. With just 109g/km leaking from its tailpipe, it’s likely to be in the lowest road tax banding for the foreseeable future. A group 2 insurance rating will be similarly easy on the pocket. So to the really tricky bit - how do you make a buying decision when faced with 3 highly capable but virtually identical citycars? It’s here that the 1.4HDi engine could give the C1 an edge. The Citroen and the Peugeot are priced at similar levels with Toyota charging a premium of around £150 for their Aygo. Peugeot don’t offer the diesel engine with their 107, however, so buyers with a tight grasp on their finances may be inclined in the C1 HDi’s direction. It may sound like we’re splitting hairs here but purchase decisions have to be made on some basis or another and there’s so little to choose between the trio that a few hundred quid here of there might swing it. Diesel or petrol, 107, Aygo or C1, whichever model you choose you’ll be getting a great value little citycar. Once, paying bottom dollar for a small runabout meant you slammed the door gingerly and operated the controls with a degree of caution because you expected things to drop off but the C1 and its brethren have a level of build integrity that really does inspire confidence. You can see where corners have been cut to keep the price down. There’s only one strut to support the boot lid, one piece of string that lifts the parcel shelf and basic equipment levels are, well, basic. In this car though, none of it seems to matter. The money-saving innovations are clever and almost endearing rather than cheap and annoying. The features you need to get the most from the car day to day work well. The dash layout is neat and modern, the controls are simple and thought has obviously been given to the provision of useful storage space. The C1 offers outstanding rear legroom considering its dimensions and there’s a reasonable amount of boot space behind. The car is extremely light with a kerb weight of under 900kg and this translates into handling that’s lively and fun, although strong winds tend to give it a bit of a buffeting. The Citroen C1 HDi steps straight into a position at the head of the diesel citycar market. Offered exclusively in the five-door bodystyle with up-spec Rhythm trim, it’s far more car than we’ve come to expect for £8,825. Though a little gruff, the oil-burning engine is preferable to the petrol from a city driving perspective but make sure you view its excellent fuel economy as a handy bonus rather than the main reason for selecting it over the petrol.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C1 1.4 HDi PRICE: £8,925 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 109g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 15.6s / Max Speed 96mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 53.3mpg / (extra urban) 83.1mpg / (combined) 68.9mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: ABS with EBD, four airbags, cornering stability control. WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3435/1630/1465mm

CRACKING THE CODE
Want a citycar with a little more attitude? Check out Citroen’s C1 Code. Jonathan Crouch reports….

Faced with buying a new cheap runabout on a budget of no more than £7,500, you’d be excused for not feeling too enthusiastic. If the secondhand market is to be avoided, you’d think, then something Malaysian or South Korean would probably be called for. But you’d be wrong.

Citroen will wheel out their latest C1 Code special edition as proof. It isn’t the cheapest C1 variant you can buy (that honour goes to the £7,195 C1 Vibe). Still, it’s not far off and for just £750 more, you get a lot more car. It’s clad in black metallic paint and comes complete with 14" alloy wheels. The smart interior features sleek leather/Alcantara seats and sporty chrome trim. Based on the high specification Rhythm model (which costs £260 less), it’s offered in both 3 and 5 door versions and also features a CD player, remote central locking, electric windows and four airbags. Opt for the five-door version and you’ll need £8,295. The C1 aims to offer an unthreatening and fun appearance with a face that looks as if it’s either grimacing or grinning depending on the angle at which you view it. The wide wraparound bumper, the rounded bonnet and bulbous headlamp clusters may not endear the C1 to the sort of pimply adolescents who hang around McDonalds car parks and revere Citroen’s trendy C2 VTR, but it’ll doubtless sell well to those with a little less testosterone coursing through their system. The rear end is very nicely finished with a glass tailgate, big crystal and anthracite rear light clusters and a deep under-bumper assembly. The wheelarches are surprisingly beefy and the rear set are sculpted a little further forward in the three-door body style. The five-door car sees its rear doors meet the rear light clusters in a very neat piece of packaging. Citroen have been regaining their reputation for bold and exciting interiors of late and the C1 continues that trend. The first impression when looking at the virtually symmetrical fascia is that this must have been a vehicle that was very cost effective to convert to right-hand drive but the design is neat and ergonomically sound. Headroom inside the car isn’t at all bad, even for someone well over six feet tall and the big glass area up front gives an airy feel to the cabin. The rear of the three-door car is notably more claustrophobic and is really only suitable for kids and short journeys. Rear kneeroom in the five door car is little better but at least the car’s beltline is a little lower, making it feel a little less hemmed in.

"The C1 Code represents a sassier way of saving money at the budget end of the motoring spectrum…."

There’s a circular theme to the dashboard instruments with the main binnacle, separate rev counter and air vents all adhering to this theme. Taking a lead form the Mitsubishi Colt and Smart Forfour, the Citroen C1 uses a translucent material for the heater control system, in this case glowing a soft orange whenever the lights are turned on, mirroring the colour choice of the driver information and audio system displays. All four seats are trimmed in two-tone material with a choice of fabric or velour finish, complementing the door panels. The front seat backrests are hollowed out to provide a little more rear legroom for back seat passengers, but there really is only so much that can be done with a car with a 2.34 metre wheelbase. Citroen have learned a whole bunch of lessons from their experience of MPV-style vehicles and the C1 offers no fewer than twelve storage compartments dotted about the centre console, dashboard and doors, with the door bins easily capable of holding an A4-sized atlas. Total luggage room with the rear seats in place is quoted at 139-litres, but drop the rear seats and there’s an impressive 751 litres of space. This makes the C1 a car that can do more than just a light shop. Parking at the supermarket for the weekly mission isn’t going to present too many difficulties. At just 1.6m wide, the C1 will easily be able to take advantage of those awkward spaces next to the concrete columns that are so often rejected. What’s more, at just 3.4m long, you’ll probably be able to access the tailgate while still tucked safely into your bay, away from errant trolleys and distracted drivers. Equipped with a nimble 1.0i (68hp) engine, the C1 Code delivers lively acceleration and a reasonably responsive driving experience. For the economical and environmentally conscious, Citroën’s supermini returns a very fuel-efficient 60mpg on the combined cycle and ultra-low CO2 emissions of just 109g/km. Some buyers may have reservations about the safety of such a minute car. Nudge up against a behemoth 4x4 in a car of the C1’s size and it’s easy to feel rather threatened, but the C1 is likely to have better safety systems than many a sizeable SUV. As well as a specially developed body structure that incorporates crumple zones and impact absorbers at the front and rear, the C1 also boasts ISOFIX child seat anchor points, reinforced doors and up to six airbags. What’s more, it’s also well equipped to avoid a fender bender in the first instance with anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and corner stability control. The C1 has also been designed to limit the consequences of a pedestrian impact – wise indeed for a car that will doubtless spend much of its life in the urban environment. The front end features no sharp edges and impact absorbers up front also help to limit leg injuries. There’s plenty of clearance between the impact absorbing bonnet and the top of the engine which means that shock is dissipated without coming into contact with anything hard. Overall, the C1 Code represents a sassier way of saving money at the budget end of the motoring spectrum.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C1 Code PRICES: £7,945-£8,295 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 1 CO2 EMISSIONS: 109g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 93mph / 0-60mph 13.7s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 51.4mpg / (extra urban) 68.9mpg / (combined) 61.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/width/height 3435/1630/1465mm