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FRENCH ECONOMY LOOKING GOOD
Citroen has built its UK success story on offering the motorist keen value for money. The latest C3 HDi diesels certainly aren’t about to batter the balance too badly. Andy Enright reports on the 8-valve version

Citroen have managed to tap into the psychology of the UK market probably better than any other car manufacturer of late. Their formula has been to catch ‘em young, tempting buyers with a credible badge that, with cashback, discounts and free insurance policies, make the cars as affordable as bargain basement Koreans. This tactic has been spectacularly effective, twenty something C2 buyers often maturing into not-so-young C4 buyers and so on. Tapping into these buyers' sense of value is the Citroen C3 HDi diesel range, a set of supermini-sized cars that are as easy on the eye as they are on the pocket.

There are two diesel engines from which to choose developing 70 and 92bhp respectively. The least powerful unit is a 1.4 eight-valve unit and it’s the one we look at here, priced from £10,995 and offering economy of around 66mpg. The diesel engine certainly suits the personality of the C3. In the C2, Citroen retain a small car that begs to be taken by the scruff of the neck and flung at the nearest corner, but as its bigger brother, the C3 is a little more restrained. The car has been sharpened up dynamically in recent years but the tauter suspension and enhanced steering feel stop well shy of the sportiness threshold. If you’ve owned a very early C3 model, you may also notice the interior and exterior restyling that Citroen indulged in a few years back.

"The 70bhp 1.4-litre diesel unit endows the C3 with enough muscle to effortlessly undertake motorway overtaking maneuvers"

The upright seating position gives the first clue as to the C3’s intent. Fire up the engine and you’ll be greeted by an initial muted hacking which almost instantaneously settles down into a low-key thrum. Citroen having excelled themselves in insulating the powerplant to such an extent that when out on the open road, only the punchy swell of torque gives the game away. The all-alloy 1.4-litre direct injection diesel may well seem familiar to some and it is indeed the same engine that at various times has been used by Peugeot and Ford – at least in the eight-valve guise featured here. The reason for its popularity is because it’s a fine engine, built around the almost obligatory common rail architecture and given respectable performance by the fitment of a small turbocharger. All-in, the engine generates 70bhp and when combined with the C3’s lighter overall weight and longer gearing, it manages not only to return better economy figures than a similarly-powered old-shape Fiesta, but also manages to outsprint the little Ford. True, you won’t buy a C3 1.4 HDi for its performance, but the eight-valve engine’s sprint to 60mph in 13.4 seconds is perfectly adequate, as is its top speed of 103mph. These figures probably won’t set your trousers alight, but this engine has 25% more torque than the 1.4-litre petrol unit and endows the C3 with enough muscle to effortlessly undertake motorway overtaking manoeuvres without recourse to anything as undignified as a downchange. Although the £10,995 sticker price can look a bit steeper than comparable rivals, Citroen dealers will no doubt pull some sort of financial rabbit out of their hats to sweeten the deal. On top of that, the Citroen is notably better equipped. Clever safety-conscious electronic features have been borrowed from the larger C5 – things such as speed-sensitive intermittent wipers with rain sensing activation, hazard lights that deploy automatically under severe braking as well as side airbags, ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Assist and comprehensive pedestrian safety features. If you want more, a plusher Rhythm model with this engine is offered at £11,495. This comes with lateral airbags, fog lights, body-coloured front and rear bumpers and side rubbing strips, plusher interior trim and the option of a full size electric glass sunroof, perfect for those sunny summer days. The interior still looks adventurously styled – which makes a change from all the other makers who seem to be slavishly aping VW Group products. As a result, instead of a dull Teutonic cabin, we’ve got one that goes its own way, light and airy with low window lines and bold, sweeping curves. The digital instrumentation is clear and easy to read and has a Saab-style ‘black panel’ that turns all but the most important functions off if you don’t want to be distracted by them at night. The rev counter that arches across the top of the digital speedometer is a classic Citroen design cue and one that fits well with the novel design philosophy. The innovation certainly doesn’t stop there. Citroen’s Moduboard system is a load bay dividing system that helps protect soft items from hard, clean from grubby and prevent bulky objects from racing across the load bay during spirited driving. The C3 1.4 HDi certainly hasn’t ducked the challenge of taking on some tough rivals. Accomplished cars such as the SEAT Ibiza, the Ford Fiesta, the Toyota Yaris and the Volkswagen Polo all mix it pretty well with the baby Citroen dynamically. Which means that if you then figure in the value equation, it’s possible that the Citroen may emerge on top in the long run. We certainly wouldn’t bet against it.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 1.4 HDi 8V range PRICES: £10,995-£11,495 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 3 CO2 EMISSIONS: 115g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 103mph / 0-60mph 13.4s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 55.4mpg / (extra urban) 74.3mpg / (combined) 67.3mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3850/1667/1519mm

AHEAD OF THE CURVE
The Citroen C3 1.1iL Offers A Credible Modern Supermini For Less Than You Might Think. Andy Enright Reports…

The C3 has made quite an impact for Citroen. In offering a spacious, unthreatening supermini at reasonable prices, the French company has latched straight into a winning formula. Originally, the problem was that the range opened with technically sophisticated 1.4-litre models. Where was the budget version that could take the battle to cars like the Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 or the Toyota Yaris 1.0? Noticeable by its absence, that’s where. That changed with the introduction of the C3 1.1iL, a car that now in facelifted form offers an easy leg-up into C3 ownership from just £9,395.

Citroen being Citroen, they will possibly be able to sweeten the deal further with one of their seasonal cashback/free insurance deals, but even at the RRP of £9,395, the C3 1.1iL looks a sound bet. True, there’s not a great deal of engine on offer, but that goes with the territory here. Cars in this sector are all about fuel economy, miserly emissions and urban desirability, three areas where the bulbous Citroen scores highly. The car has undergone a bout of cosmetic surgery since it first arrived on the scene and the current 1.1iL can be distinguished from its forebears by means of its restyled nose with bigger air intake, more pronounced grille and far bigger chromed Citroen chevrons. More important are the alterations inside which include revised and markedly higher-quality dashboard and door panels. The stereo and ventilation controls look tidier and there’s a more grown-up feel about the interior generally. The effect is still not class-leading but it’s much more like it. The 60bhp 1.1-litre engine averages 47mpg with nearly 60mpg possible on a gentle run whilst at the same time emitting a mere 143 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre. Performance is predictably laid back, the C3 breaching 60mph in just under 16 seconds on the way to a top speed of 99mph. You’ll need to work the engine a little harder than you will in a 1.4, and given the price differential between the 1.1iL and the better specified £11,195 1.4 SX, those who are looking to cover higher mileages would be advised to opt for the larger engined car. Equipment levels for the C3 1.1iL are modest, although it’s good to see that Citroen haven’t cut too many corners regarding safety provision. As well as variable electric power steering, the C3 is fitted with twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Assist and comprehensive pedestrian safety features, making it one of the safer options in its class. Remote central locking is also standard.

"The C3 1.1iL, like many Citroens, is priced aggressively…"

In making the C3 subtly different to what we’d come to expect as a blueprint supermini, Citroen have created a car that’s more faithful to their old tradition as manufacturers of supreme lateral thinking. They claim that it’s a very different take on the supermini concept: three-door versions for example, will never be made. Instead, that niche is being covered by the C2. The C3 will instead offer spacious family motoring for those that aren’t particularly interested in lift-off oversteer or any such lairy antics. Indeed, the suspension and steering tweaks brought in on the current model add a little extra driver involvement but stop well short of anything that you could call sporty. That would be to impinge on C2 territory. The C3 1.1iL, like many Citroens, is priced aggressively, evidence of Citroen’s success at tapping into the psychology of the UK market probably better than any other car manufacturer of late. Their formula has been to catch ‘em young, tempting buyers with a credible badge that, with cashback, discounts and free insurance policies, make the cars as affordable as bargain basement Koreans. This tactic has been spectacularly effective, twenty something C3 buyers often maturing into not-so-young Xsara buyers and so on. This policy has given Citroen such remarkable year on year sales growth. Combine that with the fact that this supermini market has increased by some 30% over the past five years and the C3 looks set fair for success. Only the small matter of the Ford Fiesta, the Renault Clio, the SEAT Ibiza, the Vauxhall Corsa, the Skoda Fabia, the Honda Jazz and others come between the C3 and number one spot on the podium. The supermini sector is a tough battleground but at least the C3 is equipped for the fight. Like all C3 models, the interior is also adventurously styled – which makes a change from all the other makers who seem to be slavishly aping VW Group products. As a result, instead of a dull Teutonic cabin, we’ve got one that goes its own way, light and airy with low window lines and bold, sweeping curves. More importantly, there are enough bins, cubbies and boxes to make locating a carelessly stowed bunch of keys the work of several minutes. Citroen’s Moduboard system is a load bay dividing system that helps protect soft items from hard, clean from grubby and prevent bulky objects from racing across the load bay during spirited driving. Clever safety-conscious electronic features have been borrowed from the larger C5 – things such as speed-sensitive intermittent wipers with rain sensing activation, hazard lights that deploy automatically under severe braking. The C3 1.1iL would be a surefire winner if it were permanently priced £500 lower. Unfortunately this is something that Citroen dealers only periodically do, making the C31.1iL look a poor bet on paper compared to more powerful 1.4-litre versions. Nevertheless, keep tabs on your Citroen dealership and you could land yourself with a bargain.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 1.1iL PRICES: £9,395 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 143g/km PERFORMANCE:0-60 15.8s Top Speed 99mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (extra urban) 56mpg / (combined) 47mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3850/1667/1519mm

OH HAPPY DAYS
Citroen’s C3 supermini continues to evolve in the face of tough competition. Jonathan Crouch looks at the latest models

Citroen’s C3 has been with us since 2002 but still manages to feel relatively fresh in a supermini market stuffed with talented opposition. A few useful recent tweaks aim to keep it that way.

There was a mild restyle a few years back, so Citroen’s stylists have resisted the temptation to fiddle too much on that score. Instead, the trim range is now easier to understand (slimmed down to just Vibe, Rhythm and Exclusive) with the sporty VTR models that nobody really wanted being dropped. Equipment levels have improved too. Only the entry-level Vibe variants, for example, now do without things like lateral airbags, front foglights, body-coloured bumpers and air conditioning. With the popularity of diesel engines in the C3 range at an all-time high, Citroën has rather curiously dropped the pleasing 110bhp 1.6-litre HDi powerplant. Still, buyers can now go for the next HDi engine down – the 1.6HDi 92bhp – in mid-range Rhythm trim level, a unit which now delivers enhanced performance with CO2 emissions of only 118g/km. Upgraded engines are also available on the C3 Vibe - 1.1i 61bhp, 1.4i 75bhp and a 1.4 HDi 70bhp, which also benefits from MP3-CD compatibility as standard. Otherwise, it’s pretty much as you were. C3 prices start from £9,695 for the entry-level 1.1-litre Vibe version or £10,195 for the 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol model, rising through 90bhp 1.4-litre SensoDrive petrol (which is available in economical Stop & Start form), 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol found in the automatic Exclusive variant and the two HDi diesel variants, a 70bhp 1.4 and the 92bhp 1.6. Right plumb in the middle of the small car sector in other words, an area of the market which has increased by some 30% over the last five years. This is Fiesta, Corsa, Clio and Polo territory, though accomplished challengers like Skoda’s Fabia, SEAT’s Ibiza, Honda’s Jazz and Toyota’s Yaris are also making good money here. To stand out from this lot, the Citroen needs to be different and its unique looks are a good start in this respect, through company insiders admit that the orientation here seems to be more towards women than men. There’s even a convertible Pluriel model, though this uses so few C3 body parts it is to all intents and purposes a separate product line.

"With a better value, ‘greener’ range that’s easier to understand, the C3 looks good for a few years yet"

The interior still looks adventurously styled – which makes a change from all the other makers who seem to be slavishly aping VW Group products. As a result, instead of a dull Teutonic cabin, we’ve got one that goes its own way, light and airy with low window lines and bold, styling. More importantly, there are enough bins, cubbies and boxes to make locating a carelessly stowed bunch of keys the work of several minutes. ISOFIX child seat mounting points feature strongly and such is the C3’s family orientation that an optional ‘Child Pack’ is available. No, this isn’t a lockable trunk that stows problematic sprogs safely in the boot. It’s a selection of extras that will hopefully offset just such an outcome. A child safety indicator on the dashboard monitors whether seat belts have been unclipped whilst safety locks can be activated or deactivated via a dash-mounted switch. A 12-volt socket at the rear, previously the preserve of MPVs, allows junior to play Gameboys without the ticking time bomb that is a battery failure/high score moment. Aircraft-style trays can be fitted to the back of the front seats with clip-in pen and cup holders and plastic bag hooks. The greatest feature is probably the simplest. A swing down mirror that’s usually stowed behind the standard rear view allows you to keep an eye on the offspring without impeding your forward vision too badly. The latest crop of super-sized superminis have set new standards for rear seat passenger space and the C3 has been left behind to an extent. It’s a development that puts a bit of a dent in the car’s ambitions of attracting family-orientated customers. There’s room for two adults in the back, or three if you really cram ‘em in, but legroom isn’t generous. The boot too could be larger but remember the C3 is just 3,850mm long. Compare that to the 3,999mm Vauxhall Corsa or the 4,030mm Fiat Grande Punto and you’ll understand where those vehicles get their additional capacity. The C3 should prove a very affordable supermini to run. The basic mechanicals are sound and most of the niggling faults have been ironed out. Customers should also get good returns from the engine bay depending on what they’ve had installed. The 1.4-litre HDi diesel produces excellent combined economy of 64mpg and CO2 emissions 115g/km but the 92bhp 1.6 HDi serves up identical performance at the pumps with 118g/km emissions. The 1.1-litre petrol manages 47mpg and you’ll get nearly 50mpg from the Stop & Start. The C3 Stop & Start model is an interesting choice. Citroen pioneered the Stop & Start technology in the UK market only for versions of it to be widely adopted by other marques. The vehicle combines the C3’s 1.4-litre petrol engine with the Sensodrive transmission and a clever gismo that stops the engine whenever the car comes to a standstill, restarting it again seamlessly when it’s time to move off. It means that when you’re stuck in traffic or waiting at the lights, your C3 isn’t using any fuel. The result is a 15% saving in urban fuel consumption and a 6% saving on the combined cycle. The Citroen C3 may not have changed a great deal materially but the updates do just enough to give it fresh appeal. More importantly, they help it define itself a little better compared to the C2. With a better value, ‘greener’ range that’s easier to understand, the C3 looks good for a few years yet.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 range PRICES: £9,695-£12,695 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 2-5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 115-148g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.4i] 0-60mph 11.9s / Max Speed 112mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4i] (urban) 34.4mpg / (extra urban) 56.5mpg / (combined) 45.6mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3850/1667/1519mm

AHEAD OF THE CURVE
The Citroen C3 1.1i Vibe offers a credible modern supermini for less than you might think. Andy Enright reports…

The C3 has made quite an impact for Citroen. In offering a spacious, unthreatening supermini at reasonable prices, the French company has latched straight into a winning formula. Originally, the problem was that the range opened with technically sophisticated 1.4-litre models. Where was the budget version that could take the battle to cars like the Vauxhall Corsa 1.0 or the Toyota Yaris 1.0? Noticeable by its absence, that’s where. That changed with the introduction of the C3 1.1i, a car that now in improved Vibe form offers an easy leg-up into C3 ownership from just £9,695.

Citroen being Citroen, they will possibly be able to sweeten the deal further with one of their seasonal cashback/free insurance deals, but even at the RRP of £9,695, the C3 1.1i Vibe looks a sound bet. True, there’s not a great deal of engine on offer, but that goes with the territory here. Cars in this sector are all about fuel economy, miserly emissions and urban desirability, three areas where the bulbous Citroen scores highly. The car has undergone a bout of cosmetic surgery since it first arrived on the scene and the current 1.1i can be distinguished from its forebears by means of its restyled nose with bigger air intake, more pronounced grille and far bigger chromed Citroen chevrons. More important are the alterations inside which include revised and markedly higher-quality dashboard and door panels. The stereo and ventilation controls look tidier and there’s a more grown-up feel about the interior generally. The effect is still not class-leading but it’s much more like it. The 60bhp 1.1-litre engine averages 47mpg with nearly 60mpg possible on a gentle run whilst at the same time emitting a mere 143 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre. Performance is predictably laid back, the C3 breaching 60mph in just under 16 seconds on the way to a top speed of 99mph. You’ll need to work the engine a little harder than you will in a 1.4, and given the price differential between the 1.1i Vibe and the better specified £10,195 1.4-litre version, those who are looking to cover higher mileages would be advised to opt for the larger engined car.

"The C3 1.1i Vibe, like many Citroens, is priced aggressively…"

Equipment levels for the C3 1.1i Vibe are modest, although it’s good to see that Citroen haven’t cut too many corners regarding safety provision. As well as variable electric power steering, the C3 is fitted with twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Assist and comprehensive pedestrian safety features, making it one of the safer options in its class. Remote central locking is also standard. In making the C3 subtly different to what we’d come to expect as a blueprint supermini, Citroen have created a car that’s more faithful to their old tradition as manufacturers of supreme lateral thinking. They claim that it’s a very different take on the supermini concept: three-door versions for example, will never be made. Instead, that niche is being covered by the C2. The C3 will instead offer spacious family motoring for those that aren’t particularly interested in lift-off oversteer or any such lairy antics. Indeed, the suspension and steering tweaks brought in on the current model add a little extra driver involvement but stop well short of anything that you could call sporty. That would be to impinge on C2 territory. The C3 1.1i Vibe, like many Citroens, is priced aggressively, evidence of Citroen’s success at tapping into the psychology of the UK market probably better than any other car manufacturer of late. Their formula has been to catch ‘em young, tempting buyers with a credible badge that, with cashback, discounts and free insurance policies, make the cars as affordable as bargain basement Koreans. This tactic has been spectacularly effective, twenty something C3 buyers often maturing into not-so-young C4 buyers and so on. This policy has given Citroen steady year on year sales growth. Combine that with the fact that this supermini market has increased by some 30% over the past five years and the C3 looks set fair for success. Only the small matter of the Ford Fiesta, the Renault Clio, the SEAT Ibiza, the Vauxhall Corsa, the Skoda Fabia, the Honda Jazz and others come between the C3 and number one spot on the podium. The supermini sector is a tough battleground but at least the C3 is equipped for the fight. Like all C3 models, the interior is also adventurously styled – which makes a change from all the other makers who seem to be slavishly aping VW Group products. As a result, instead of a dull Teutonic cabin, we’ve got one that goes its own way, light and airy with low window lines and bold, sweeping curves. More importantly, there are enough bins, cubbies and boxes to make locating a carelessly stowed bunch of keys the work of several minutes. Citroen’s Moduboard system is a load bay dividing system that helps protect soft items from hard, clean from grubby and prevent bulky objects from racing across the load bay during spirited driving. Clever safety-conscious electronic features have been borrowed from the larger C5 – things such as speed-sensitive intermittent wipers with rain sensing activation, hazard lights that deploy automatically under severe braking. The C3 1.1i Vibe would be a surefire winner if it were permanently priced £500 lower. Unfortunately this is something that Citroen dealers only periodically do, making the C31.1i Vibe look a poor bet on paper compared to more powerful 1.4-litre versions. Nevertheless, keep tabs on your Citroen dealership and you could land yourself with a bargain.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 1.1i Vibe PRICES: £9,695 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 143g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 15.8s / Max Speed 99mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (extra urban) 56mpg / (combined) 47mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3850/1667/1519mm

CITROEN PUMP UP THE VOLUMES
Buy a car and get a free iPod! That’s about the size of Citroen’s C3 Airplay+ special edition. Steve Walker reports…

In many circles, particularly those moved in by younger, trendier members of society, it’s almost as though Apple’s iPod has become the essential companion to modern life. From the car manufacturer’s perspective, this youthful element - the ones with the glazed expressions, the nodding heads and the slender white cables trailing from their ears – represent a rich untapped seem of potential sales. The problem is that it’s notoriously difficult to get through to them. The C3 Airplay+ is Citroen’s attempt at doing just that.

Bombarded by media messages almost since birth, the iPod generation have a keenly-developed sense of cynicism and distrust where advertising is concerned. They’ve also got Arctic Monkeys going ten to the dozen in their ears for 80 per cent of the time and so are unlikely to hear anything you say to them. So what’s a poor car manufacturer to do if it wants to exploit this sector of the market? Citroen has hit on a solution that seems likely to work: giving away free iPods with its youth-orientated Airplay+ range of models. One iPod is probably enough for anyone but the ones Citroen are pedalling are 4 gigabyte iPod Nanos. These are hardly the Rolls Royce of iPods but the Airplay+ models come with an integrated docking station that charges the device and allows the collection of over 1,000 tracks that it stores to be played through the car stereo. The C3 Airplay+ is also offered in a range of colour schemes - red, blue or silver - that match the finishes on the iPods themselves. There’s even a CD stereo in case you leave your iPod at home. There’s more to the Citroen C3 Airplay+ than the portable music storage system that accompanies it. The car comes with a 1.1-litre engine that’s very young driver-friendly by virtue of its 47mpg economy figure and group two insurance. The 143g/km CO2 emissions are class competitive and won’t give you too much of a headache when the time comes to renew that road tax.

"Your entry ticket into the iPod generation could see you luck into a very nice little supermini as well"

Standard equipment levels for the C3 1.1iL which forms the basis of the Airplay+ are modest, although it’s good to see that Citroen haven’t cut too many corners regarding safety provision. As well as variable electric power steering, the C3 is fitted with twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Assist and comprehensive pedestrian safety features, making it one of the safer options in its class. Remote central locking is also standard. In making the C3 subtly different to what we’d come to expect as a blueprint supermini, Citroen have created a car that’s more faithful to their old tradition as manufacturers of supreme lateral thinking. They claim that it’s a very different take on the supermini concept: three-door versions for example, will never be made. Instead, that niche is being covered by the C2. The C3 will instead offer spacious family motoring for those that aren’t particularly interested in lift-off oversteer or any such lairy antics. Indeed, the suspension and steering tweaks brought in on the current model add a little extra driver involvement but stop well short of anything that you could call sporty. That would be to impinge on C2 territory. The C3 Airplay+, like many Citroens, is priced aggressively, evidence of Citroen’s success at tapping into the psychology of the UK market probably better than any other car manufacturer of late. It’s available from just £7,995 with all the bells and whistles associated with this special edition model. This policy has given Citroen such remarkable year on year sales growth. Combine that with the fact that this supermini market has increased by some 30% over the past five years and the C3 looks set fair for success. Only the small matter of the Ford Fiesta, the Renault Clio, the SEAT Ibiza, the Vauxhall Corsa, the Skoda Fabia, the Honda Jazz and others come between the C3 and number one spot on the podium. The supermini sector is a tough battleground but at least the C3 is equipped for the fight. Like all C3 models, the interior is also adventurously styled – which makes a change from all the other makers who seem to be slavishly aping VW Group products. As a result, instead of a dull Teutonic cabin, we’ve got one that goes its own way, light and airy with low window lines and bold, sweeping curves. More importantly, there are enough bins, cubbies and boxes to make locating a carelessly stowed bunch of keys the work of several minutes. Citroen’s Moduboard system is a load bay dividing system that helps protect soft items from hard, clean from grubby and prevent bulky objects from racing across the load bay during spirited driving. Clever safety-conscious electronic features have been borrowed from the larger C5 – things such as speed-sensitive intermittent wipers with rain sensing activation, hazard lights that deploy automatically under severe braking. Using iPods to sell cars might strike you as a bit of a gimmick but the Citroen marketing department is one of the most efficient in the industry and it’s a safe bet that they know what their doing, not only with the C3 Airplay+ but with the C1 and C2 versions as well. Your entry ticket into the iPod generation could see you luck into a very nice little supermini as well.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 Airplay + PRICE: £7,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 143g/km PERFORMANCE:0-60 15.8s Top Speed 99mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (extra urban) 56mpg / (combined) 47mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3850/1667/1519mm

PLUMP UP THE VOLUMES
The Citroen C3 represents a stylish way into the supermini club. The 1.4-litre petrol versions are some of the most cost-effective entry Points. Andy Enright reports…

At first we were all a little confused by Citroen’s C3. Very nice. Big face. Five doors. But where was the three-door version, the sporty one that would take over the mantle from the much-loved Saxo? It seems Citroen had other plans and slotted the C3 betwixt Saxo (now replaced by the C2) and Xsara (now replaced by the C4), billing it as their ‘little big car’. Aside from the grim tweeness of that title, the C3 has a lot going for it and the 1.4-litre petrol versions represent a cost effective way into club C3.

In making the C3 subtly different to what we’d come to expect as a blueprint supermini, Citroen have created a car that’s more faithful to their old tradition as manufacturers of supreme lateral thinking. They claim that it’s a very different take on the supermini concept: three-door versions for example, will never be made. Instead, that niche is being covered by the sporty C2 citycar. The C3 will offer spacious family motoring for those that aren’t particularly interested in lift-off oversteer or any such lairy antics. The car has been sharpened up dynamically but the tauter suspension and enhanced steering feel stop well shy of the sportiness threshold. The 1.4-litre petrol versions of the C3 are priced aggressively, exemplars of Citroen’s success at tapping into the psychology of the UK market probably better than any other car manufacturer of late. Their formula has been to catch ‘em young, tempting buyers with a credible badge that, with cashback, discounts and free insurance policies, make the cars as affordable as bargain basement Koreans. This tactic has been spectacularly effective, twenty something C2 buyers often maturing into not-so-young C4 buyers and so on. The 1.4-litre range opens at £10,195 for the 75bhp 1.4i Vibe, and if you needed any further illustration as to the sheer scale of Citroen’s financial assault, the fact that this is over £1,000 less than an equivalent Volkswagen Polo should suffice.

"It’s too friendly to frighten."

Pay £11,195 and you could be driving the 90bhp 16-valve version with standard SensoDrive gearbox in economical Stop & Start form. The automatic is interesting, being a four-speed sequential ‘box. This system boasts advanced electronics that attempt to learn different driving styles whilst a flick of the lever allows the driver to make ‘manual’ changes without the need for a clutch pedal. Three different programs (Normal, Sport & Snow) are selectable as well as a fully automatic mode. Yes, it saps performance a little, but the C3 1.4 was never about serious oomph. It’s too friendly to frighten. The SensoDrive performs a similar clutchless function but adds steering column-mounted paddles to do the shifting. On the current car these feel sturdier than before and the shift lever slots into place like a conventional auto ‘box rather than centring itself after a mode has been selected. With 75bhp on tap the 8v C3 1.4’s performance can best be described as unhurried, reaching 62mph in 12.4 seconds and a top speed of 104mph. The average fuel economy figure of 45mpg is above average in class. The SensoDrive gearbox slows the 90bhp 16-valve engine to a 13s 0-62mph time but the 112mph top speed is more respectable and the economy improved to 47mpg. Many customers will feel tempted by the 67mpg 1.4 HDi diesel version. All things considered, it looks to be the more astute purchase. Still there are still many who don’t like diesel and if you count yourself amongst them, you won’t feel hard done by a petrol model. Like all C3 models the interior is adventurously styled – which makes a change from all the other makers who seem to be slavishly aping VW Group products. As a result, instead of a dull Teutonic cabin, we’ve got one that goes its own way, light and airy with low window lines and bold, sweeping curves. More importantly, there are enough bins, cubbies and boxes to make locating a carelessly stowed bunch of keys the work of several minutes. Citroen’s Moduboard system is a load bay dividing system that helps protect soft items from hard, clean from grubby and prevent bulky objects from racing across the load bay during spirited driving. Clever safety-conscious electronic features have been borrowed from the larger C5 – things such as speed-sensitive intermittent wipers with rain sensing activation, hazard lights that deploy automatically under severe braking as well as side airbags, ABS with EBD, Emergency Brake Assist and comprehensive pedestrian safety features. Given that the bulk of Citroen’s profitability is accounted for by aggressively priced budget models, the C3 1.4-litre petrol derivatives look competitive on paper. In the cold light of day however, you may see things as not quite so clear-cut. With more modern rivals reigning supreme over this end of the market, the 1.4-litre petrol models are more difficult to make a case for than the diesels or the upspec 1.6-litre versions. Having said that, I never tipped Citroen to be the big postmillennial success story they are. You pays your money…

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 1.4 petrol range PRICES: £10,195-£11,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 3-4 CO2 EMISSIONS: 145-148g/km PERFORMANCE: [8v] 0-60mph 12.4s / Max Speed 104mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 34.4mpg / (extra urban) 56.5mpg / (combined) 45.6mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3850/1667/1519mm

POWER PUNCH
If You Thought Of Citroen’s C3 As A Cute But Toothless Supermini, It’s Time To Revise Your Opinion. Andy Enright Reports On The Latest HDi 110 VTR Version

Details count. Even when you’re talking about a fairly inexpensive supermini, it’s important to create an impression of quality. I was never a fan of the original Citroen C3, feeling that here were a bunch of great engines wrapped in a package that lacked that crucial last few per cent of finish. Citroen obviously agreed because the facelifted C3 feels a lot better screwed together and even if the impression is largely cosmetic, it’ll play well with customers. The addition of a powerful 110bhp HDi diesel engine also addresses the complaint that the C3 range was an area largely devoid of interest for those who enjoyed driving.

Next time you jump into a modern car, take a close look at how manufacturers go about creating the impression of quality. The parts that you physically touch – the steering wheel, door pulls, gear knob and fascia controls – should all have had some serious investment. The dash top and door panel bolsters are often made of soft touch plastics with cheaper, brittler materials being used on the undersides of the dash, away from prying eyes. Weighty soundproofing will be added to the doors to ensure they thunk rather than clang shut. Even apparently trivial details such as the sound of the handbrake ratchet or the indicator click will often have been acoustically tuned to give an improved perception of quality. Diesel engines pose their own challenges. Even modern diesels can’t match up to a petrol engine in terms of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and when a manufacturer has skimped in terms of soundproofing or has cut the budget when it comes to designing smarter engine mounts, you’ll know about it the moment you twist the key. Fortunately, Citroen have invested wisely with the C3 HDi110 and although it’s certainly not the most refined diesel engine you’ll ever experience, the French company have managed a very well-judged compromise between power, refinement and, inevitably, price.

"The C3 VTR HDi110 offers a punchy diesel engine, good looks, practicality and amazing economy. In short, it barely puts a foot wrong"

Although 110bhp sounds a fairly modest power output, remember that this is a turbo diesel engine we’re talking about here, and when that turbo spools up to speed, it delivers 181lb/ft of torque, which is the same as a Mercedes C230 in a car that tips the scales at a fraction of the Benz’s all up weight. Only one trim level is offered, and it’s the sporty VTR variant, previously derided for being something of a sheep in wolf’s clothing, in C3 guise at least. The reason for this was that the 1.6-litre petrol VTR was mechanically similar to certain other models in the line up and therefore no quicker. Realising that they were potentially damaging the brand, Citroen have since taken steps to rectify this issue. The C3 VTR HDi110 will top out at 118mph and is capable of accelerating to 60mph in 9.6 seconds. To help overtaking, the car also features an overboost facility that delivers an additional 15lb/ft of torque when under hard acceleration. Floor the VTR down a motorway on-ramp and you’ll realise that this is a properly rapid little car, well deserving of the VTR badge. It’s also an efficient car, capable of stretching a gallon of fuel out to almost 63mpg on the combined cycle or over 74miles in motorway conditions. Sure to be popular amongst those looking for a versatile and cost effective company scoot, the C3 will even turn in saintly emissions figures of just 120g/km. It’s also fitted with a diesel particulate filter designed to capture and burn previously unburnt - and potentially carcinogenic - particles. As well as the punchy engine, the C3 VTR weighs in with firmer suspension settings to improve body control and steering response. The front suspension has been beefed up, as have both anti-roll bars, while the damping has been improved to make the C3’s performance on enjoyable but bumpy roads that much more confidence inspiring. The electric power steering system has been retuned to offer better precision at higher speeds and a more natural feel to the wheel. Disc brakes all round – with ventilated discs up front – are teamed with an intelligent anti-lock braking system and electronic stability control. Get a C3 VTR out of shape and you’ll really have been doing well. The latest C3 adopts many of the design cues from the C4 to give a more purposeful look and feel. All models get a restyled nose with a bigger air intake, a more pronounced grille and far bigger chromed Citroen chevrons. Move round to the back of the car and there are redesigned rear light clusters that also look a whole lot sharper. The interior benefits from a rethink as well, with the bulbous design theme giving way to some edgier styling cues. The radio display and the dashboard have been tidied up and the materials used both on the dash top, fascia and door panels are all markedly improved. It’s still not class leading but it’s a good deal better than the somewhat brittle plastics found in the early C3 models. The interior is also adventurously styled – which makes a change from all the other makers who seem to be slavishly aping VW Group products. As a result, instead of a dull Teutonic cabin, we’ve got one that goes its own way, light and airy with low window lines and bold, styling. More importantly, there are enough bins, cubbies and boxes to make locating a carelessly stowed bunch of keys the work of several minutes. The Citroen C3 VTR HDi 110 emerges as a far more appealing car tan many will realise. Citroen need to reset buyer perceptions about the C3 in a way that goes beyond the ‘Happy Days’ advertising campaign. The C3 is a vastly improved model and the VTR HDi 110 the finest variant of the lot. It’s not an immediately obvious choice, but here is a car that does everything a modern supermini should and a bit more. It’s well worth checking out.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 HDi 110 VTR PRICE: £13,495 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 120g/km PERFORMANCE: Top Speed 118mph 0-60 9.6s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (extra urban) 74.4mpg / (combined) 62.8mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3850/1667/1519mm

GOING GREEN IN EVERY SENSE
Adding a welcome touch of colour to the Citroen C3 Pluriel range, it’s the Kiwi Special Edition. Jonathan Crouch reports…

There’s something quite refreshing about the concept of an affordable little convertible for less than £12,500. Particularly when it comes with air conditioning and black leather upholstery. You might not be surprised to learn that the car in question is a Citroen, the special edition Kiwi version of its C3 Pluriel.

The actual price of this car is £14,695 but a range of current offers should enable you to get your hands on one for just under the £12,500 mark. That sum buys you the aforementioned black upholstery and air conditioning, plus what Citroen call the car’s ‘eye-catching’ yellowy/green metallic ‘Kiwi’ body colour (hence the name), the only hue this car comes in. Additional features include leather trim for the door handles and gearstick, plus alloy wheels. Normal Pluriel features include electric folding door mirrors, variable power steering, remote central locking with deadlocks, four electric windows and a CD player. Moreover, an impressive 4-star Euro NCAP rating ensures that the C3 Pluriel Kiwi not only looks good, but is one of the safest small cars around too. A supermini during the winter months and a convertible during the summer, the C3 Pluriel offers customers real flexibility. With the roof up, the Citroen offers space for four occupants and a generous sized boot, yet the opportunity to choose from a variety of set-ups, including the option of removing the roof arches, ensures that passengers can enjoy real wind-in-the-hair-motoring come the warmer weather. Power comes courtesy of a 75hp 1.4i petrol engine that returns in excess of 52mpg in out-of-town motoring. Don’t expect road-burning performance because you’re not going to get it from this or any C3 Pluriel for that matter. The 0-60mph sprint takes just under 14s and there’s a 99mph top speed but you don’t really notice the lethargic progress when you’re at the wheel because the Pluriel doesn’t encourage spirited driving. The chassis isn’t the stiffest and there’s always the suspicion that if you did hurl it at a corner, you might either topple over or come out the other side minus a few pieces of extraneous trim.

"Want a new convertible supermini on a sub-£12,500 budget? You’re going to be out of luck virtually anywhere but at your local Citroen dealership…."

The Pluriel is at its best being driven sedately with the featherweight steering and the soft suspension making for a suitably relaxing experience. The engine noise is well suppressed too and even wind noise with the roof up isn’t as pronounced as you might imagine, although it’s less hushed with the centre section folded back. Down on the Cote d’Azur, wealthy individuals pay well over £100,000 for high performance supercars and other exotica so they can crawl along the sea front at a snail’s pace in it. With the C3 Pluriel Kiwi, you can get a model that could have been built for exactly this purpose but at a tenth of the cost. It won’t even hit your bank account hard when you’re driving it - buyers can reasonably expect to average over 40mpg even in town and the CO2 emissions are 163g/km. The driving position is unusual due to the fact you sit ducked into the car with the curved windscreen apparently soaring overhead. Equipment levels are about what you would expect, all Pluriel models featuring electric windows all round, electric mirrors, remote central locking a CD player and an electrical operated canvas roof. Safety levels on the C3 Pluriel are equally high, with anti lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, four airbags and four 3-point inertia reel seatbelts, as well as a specially stiffened body shell, reinforced windscreen pillars and roof arches plus strengthened seat backs and headrests. One key drawback of the Pluriel’s design is that the bulky roof rails cannot be stored in the car upon removal, instead residing in their holder in your garage. Therefore, you don’t have the option of pulling over to the roadside and dropping the roof to form a full convertible as you can in most other drop-top models. Once you have left the rails at home, you’re committed to open top motoring for the day, come rain or shine. One suspects we won’t see too many Pluriels plying our roads in full convertible mode. There’s a reasonable amount of space in the back for two, although three would be a tight squeeze as both knee room and shoulder space would be at a premium. The rear screen folds into the spare wheel well, thus signifying a lack of said wheel. Rather than rely on the commonplace - and usually quite useless - puncture repair aerosol, Citroen has done the right thing and fitted the Pluriel with Michelin PAX run flat tyres. Cars stranded on the roadside are never a great advertisement. Quite how the various water seals and roof parts stand up to the wear and tear of real world motoring remains to be seen but at first glance they appear quite well fabricated. There are drawbacks to the C3 Pluriel but these should always be framed within the context of its price. If you want a new convertible supermini on a sub-£12,500 budget, you’re going to be out of luck virtually anywhere but at your local Citroen dealership. The Kiwi special edition model enhances the Pluriel’s case a further notch or two with a desirable set of cosmetic extras that may not be up to French Riviera standards but will cut a dash on your local high street.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 Pluriel Kiwi PRICE: £14,695 [£12,495 including current special offers] - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 4 CO2 EMISSIONS: 163g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60 13.9s Top Speed 99mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 31mpg / (extra urban) 52mpg / (combined) 41.5mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBA and EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3934/1700/1559mm

A CUTE CASE OF COSMETICS
Citroen’s C3 VTR May Wear The Battle Dress But It’s Best Not To Take It Too Seriously. Andy Enright Reports

As makeovers go, turning Citroen’s cutesy C3 into something sporting has to be one of the trickiest. The easiest way to go would be to admit defeat on the styling front, then plumb in a serious engine, brakes and suspension combination and sell it as an understated Q-car. Instead Citroen have decided to leave the oily bits well alone and have attempted to give the C3 a bit of attitude. The resulting VTR model may not be the most convincing sports hatch you’ve ever witnessed, but it is still worth a look.

Taken in isolation there’s not a great deal wrong with the styling parts Citroen have selected for the VTR. It’s just that they’re on a C3. Imagine Natalie Portman cast as lead in an Aliens movie and you probably get the idea. The 16-inch Leopard alloy wheels are augmented by wheelarch extensions, body coloured side rubbing strips and a chromed exhaust pipe finisher. The front end has a revised bumper, a broader air intake and revised fog light housing while the entire bumper assembly at the back is VTR-specific. You have to take your hat off to Citroen. This car could have been a collection of parts from the options list but instead a number of bespoke components have been formulated exclusively for the VTR model. The interior has been given the sports treatment too, with a black leather trimmed steering wheel and gear knob set, bolstered seats and a dark grey trim. All of these styling accoutrements are mounted on the latest post-facelift C3 with its restyled nose with bigger air intake, more pronounced grille and far bigger chromed Citroen chevrons. More important are the alterations inside which include revised and markedly higher-quality dashboard and door panels. The stereo and ventilation controls look tidier and there’s a more grown-up feel about the interior generally. The VTR doesn’t actually do too badly when it comes to motive power, drawing on the excellent 110bhp sixteen-valve engine that’s found beneath the plush C3 Exclusive’s snub nose. It’s one of those engines that barely puts a foot wrong. Punting the VTR to 60mph in 9.7 seconds, it’s a lively partner, quicker to the benchmark sprint than an Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 and as fast as a 1.8-litre Audi A3. No equivalent Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa can get near it, rendering the C3 VTR a car that’s anything but a sheep in wolf’s clothing. The top speed of 123mph is evidence that the VTR has a good deal in reserve when travelling at usual motorway speeds. Refinement at speed is good, the only drawback being some vibration through the gear lever. The average fuel consumption figure of almost 44mpg gives the opposition little hope whilst the 155g/km CO2 emissions are similarly admirable.

"The C3 VTR is better than its slightly confused look would suggest"

To put these figures in perspective, let’s consider what that seminal hot hatch, the Volkswagen Golf GTi, could manage when introduced in 1977. The sportiest drive about was good for 9.6 seconds to 60mph, a top speed of 108mph and an average return of 29mpg. These days the least sporty of all the superminis looks to have that icon licked. How times change. Nobody would put up with thirteen-inch wheels for a start! Air conditioning helps alleviate the unwanted side effects of all the C3 VTR’s glazing, and there’s also variable rate power steering, electric front windows and a CD player with steering wheel mounted controls. The interior is also adventurously styled – which makes a change from all the other makers who seem to be slavishly aping VW Group products. As a result, instead of a dull Teutonic cabin, we’ve got one that goes its own way, light and airy with low window lines and bold, sweeping curves. Safety features such as anti lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic brake assist, and four airbags are all standard. Residing on the VTR option list is ESP with traction control. The digital instrumentation is clear and easy to read and has a Saab-style ‘black panel’ that turns all but the most important functions off if you don’t want to be distracted by them at night. More importantly, there are enough bins, cubbies and boxes to make locating a carelessly stowed bunch of keys the work of several minutes. ISOFIX child seat mounting points feature strongly and such is the C3’s family orientation that an optional ‘Child Pack’ is available. No, this isn’t a lockable trunk that stows problematic sprogs safely in the boot, it’s a selection of extras that will hopefully offset just such an outcome. A child safety indicator on the dashboard monitors whether seat belts have been unclipped whilst safety locks can be activated or deactivated via a dash-mounted switch. A 12-volt socket at the rear, previously the preserve of MPVs, allows junior to play Gameboys without the ticking time bomb that is a battery failure/high score moment. Aircraft-style trays can be fitted to the back of the front seats with clip-in pen and cup holders and plastic bag hooks. The greatest feature is probably the simplest. A swing down mirror that’s usually stowed behind the standard rear view allows you to keep an eye on the offspring without impeding your forward vision too badly. And the price for this C3 VTR? Competitive at £12,895, though some customers may well be able to shave a significant amount off this by taking advantage of Citroen’s cashback scheme. If you like the idea of a modern supermini with sporting appeal but don’t need big insurance ratings and the constant worry about being GATSOed, the Citroen C3 VTR makes an interesting bet. Just don’t try convincing your more macho friends that it’s a real hot hatch.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 VTR PRICE: £12,895 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 155g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60 9.7s / Top Speed 123mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 32.9mpg / (extra urban) 54.3mpg / (combined) 43.5mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3850/1667/1519mm

OH HAPPY DAYS
Citroen’s C3 Ditches The Cutesy Front End In Favour Of Something A Little More Progressive. Andy Enright Reports

I’m struggling here. How did I ever think that a thirty year old man who hung around a milk bar and tried to impress schoolgirls using "Heeeeyy" as an opening gambit was cool? Still, times change and Citroen can now play the Fonz character with well-judged irony in its advertisements for the latest C3. The car itself has come a long way and although it’s still probably not the sort of car to create a stir at a drive-in, at least it won’t stand accused of having ‘jumped the shark’.

This term, which can be loosely translated as that time whereby something has gone beyond its sell-by date and become naff, stems from Mr Fonzarelli’s appearance in a late Happy Days Hollywood special. Fonzie does indeed jump a shark, on this occasion being towed on water skis while wearing a life preserver over his trademark leather blouson. The changes to the Citroen C3 need no such desperate tactics to generate interest. The previous model had done reasonable business for Citroen but was in danger of becoming overshadowed by the buzz building up around the C2 and, to a lesser extent, the boldly styled C4. The C3 adopts many of the design cues from the C4 to give a more purposeful look and feel. All models get a restyled nose with a bigger air intake, a more pronounced grille and far bigger chromed Citroen chevrons. Move round to the back of the car and there are redesigned rear light clusters that also look a whole lot sharper. The interior benefits from a rethink as well, with the bulbous design theme giving way to some edgier styling cues. The radio display and the dashboard have been tidied up and the materials used both on the dash top, fascia and door panels are all markedly improved. It’s still not class leading but it’s a good deal better than the somewhat brittle plastics found in the early C3 models.

"The C3 looks to have been splashed with a small dose of attitude"

Aside from the styling changes, Citroen have also quietly slipped a rather interesting engine into the C3 line up. It’s a 110bhp 1.6-litre HDi diesel which joins the existing 70bhp 1.4 and 92bhp 1.6-litre diesel engines. It’s unashamedly sporty, being offered in VTR form with the same taut suspension set up as the petrol equivalent, and helps shift the C3’s image a little further towards the dynamic end of the spectrum. Only a little, mind. With just 1,127kg to punt up the road, it’s usefully quick, getting the C3 to 60mph in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 118mph. The torque figure is quoted at 177lb/ft but there is an overboost facility which kicks in under hard acceleration that lifts this figure to 192lb/ft for a short shot of acceleration. The beefed up suspension offers less roll in corners without sacrificing ride quality too badly although the reprogrammed steering offers a little more weight but not much in the way of detailed feedback. C3 prices start from £9,495 for the entry-level 1.1-litre version or £10,995 for the 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol model, rising through 90bhp 1.4-litre SensoDrive petrol (which is available in economical Stop & Start form), 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol found in the sporty VTR and a couple of HDi diesel variants to top out at £13,595. Right plumb in the middle of the small car sector in other words, an area of the market which has increased by some 30% over the last five years. This is Fiesta, Corsa, Clio and Polo territory, though accomplished challengers like Skoda’s Fabia, SEAT’s Ibiza, Honda’s Jazz and Toyota’s Yaris are also making good money here. To stand out from this lot, the Citroen needs to be different and its unique looks are a good start in this respect, through company insiders admit that the orientation here seems to be more towards women than men. There’s even a convertible Pluriel model, though this uses so few C3 body parts it is to all intents and purposes a separate product line. The interior is also adventurously styled – which makes a change from all the other makers who seem to be slavishly aping VW Group products. As a result, instead of a dull Teutonic cabin, we’ve got one that goes its own way, light and airy with low window lines and bold, styling. More importantly, there are enough bins, cubbies and boxes to make locating a carelessly stowed bunch of keys the work of several minutes. ISOFIX child seat mounting points feature strongly and such is the C3’s family orientation that an optional ‘Child Pack’ is available. No, this isn’t a lockable trunk that stows problematic sprogs safely in the boot, it’s a selection of extras that will hopefully offset just such an outcome. A child safety indicator on the dashboard monitors whether seat belts have been unclipped whilst safety locks can be activated or deactivated via a dash-mounted switch. A 12-volt socket at the rear, previously the preserve of MPVs, allows junior to play Gameboys without the ticking time bomb that is a battery failure/high score moment. Aircraft-style trays can be fitted to the back of the front seats with clip-in pen and cup holders and plastic bag hooks. The greatest feature is probably the simplest. A swing down mirror that’s usually stowed behind the standard rear view allows you to keep an eye on the offspring without impeding your forward vision too badly. The Citroen C3 may not have changed a great deal materially but the updates do just enough to give it fresh appeal. More importantly, they help it define itself a little better compared to the C2. Better to drive, better to sit in and with an interestingly punchy diesel engine choice, the C3 looks good for a few years yet.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 range PRICES: £9,495-£13,595 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 2-6 CO2 EMISSIONS: 110-170g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.4i] Top Speed 105mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4i] (urban) 34.4mpg / (extra urban) 56.5mpg / (combined) 45.6mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS [exc LX] WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3850/1667/1519mm

PLU SKY THINKING
The wacky C3 Pluriel convertible revives the sort of innovative thinking Citroen is Famous for. What’s refreshing is that it isn’t novelty for novelty’s sake. By Andy Enright…

Think Citroen and certain themes rapidly form. There’s the practical genius of the 2CV, the avant-garde brilliance of the DS and the design flair of the CX. It may not have escaped your attention that these cars are all now museum pieces. Citroens have come good of late with winners like the Xsara Picasso, the Saxo and the C3 but the intervening years weren’t such a stellar period. The C3 Pluriel shows that the spirit of innovation is alive and well at Citroen. It appears that the good old days are back again.

Innovation and versatility are the key attributes of the Pluriel. How many other cars offer supermini utility backed up with the fun factor of a full convertible, the convenience of four seats and a list price that starts at just around £13,000? To save you the bother of pondering the question, the answer is none. Yes, the Peugeot 207CC and Nissan Micra C+C have popularised the notion of drop top dinkies but neither has back seats and both cost significantly more than the Citroen. Genuine fans of the marque will be rubbing their hands in glee as the Pluriel resolutely ploughs its own furrow. With its full-length canvas roof in place, few would finger the Pluriel as a convertible, the shapely glasshouse and the seemingly fixed rear window giving it the appearance of a quirkily styled three-door hatch. Slide the canvas section back, fold the rear window cartridge down into the spare wheel cavity and house the gloss finish roof rails in their deckchair like holder and you then have a full convertible. No rollover hoops or bulky tonneau covers sully the appealing shape. What’s more, there’s even a reasonable amount of space in the boot once the hood has been dropped. Recent changes include a revised dashboard and an improved semi-automatic Sensodrive gearbox for the flagship variant. Three models are offered priced from £12,995: a 1.4-litre petrol with 74bhp on tap, a 1.4-litre HDi diesel capable of averaging 63mpg or a 1.6-litre 16v flagship version replete with paddle-shift transmission that retails for £16,095. Don’t be lulled into thinking this version of the Pluriel is in any way sporty as the focus is instead on fun, comfort and a more restrained approach, reflecting the philosophy of the C3 supermini upon which it’s based. Although the C3 has shifted in respectable numbers, the Pluriel is destined to be a niche model. Citroen freely admit that the styling will doubtless divide opinion and have set a conservative target of 7,000 UK sales per year.

"Genuine fans of the marque will be rubbing their hands in glee as the Pluriel resolutely ploughs its own furrow "

Built at Citroen’s Madrid factory, the Pluriel offers similar interior quality to the C3 hatch. Despite the 1999 show car displaying an interior of quite baffling design flair, the production Pluriel’s interior is largely C3. That means neat, easy to operate design and the C3’s facelifted dash board with its higher grade plastics and more upmarket feel. The door panels have been given a boost too with the same themes as the curvy facia. The effect is a definite improvement. One key drawback of the Pluriel’s design is that the bulky roof rails cannot be stored in the car upon removal, instead residing in their holder in your garage. Therefore you don’t have the option of pulling over to the roadside and dropping the roof to form a full convertible as you can in a Peugeot 206CC. Once you have left the rails at home, you’re committed to open top motoring for the day, come rain or shine. One suspects we won’t see too many Pluriels plying our roads in full convertible mode. Despite these limitations, the Pluriel is still a very appealing choice and even with the black ‘tusks’ in place it feels very airy when the canvas roof is retracted, the side windows are dropped and the back glass is slotted out of sight. Rear seat passengers will have just as much fun as front seat occupants and they’ll also feel reassured by thee Pluriel’s high waistline. It handles fairly neatly, the comfort-oriented suspension doing a good job of soaking up most surface imperfections that might otherwise betray a wobbly scuttle. Citroen’s engineers are proud of the reinforcing work they’ve done on the Pluriel and the fact that it weighs about 150kg more than its hatchback equivalent is testament to this effort. Only over the very worst potholes will you provoke any shudder from the chassis. The driving position is unusual due to the fact you sit ducked into the car with the curved windscreen apparently soaring overhead. Equipment levels are about what you would expect, all models featuring electric windows all round, electric mirrors, remote central locking a CD player and an electrical operated canvas roof. On top of this, the 1.6i 16V version adds alloy wheels and an anti-theft alarm. Safety levels on the C3 Pluriel are equally high, with both models featuring anti lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, four airbags and four 3-point inertia reel seatbelts, as well as a specially stiffened body shell, reinforced windscreen pillars and roof arches plus strengthened seat backs and headrests. There’s a reasonable amount of space in the back for two, although three would be a tight squeeze as both knee room and shoulder space would be at a premium. Some of you may have spotted that the rear screen folds into the spare wheel well, thus signifying a lack of said wheel. Rather than rely on the commonplace - and usually quite useless - puncture repair aerosol, Citroen has done the right thing and fitted the Pluriel with Michelin PAX run flat tyres. Cars stranded on the roadside are never a great advertisement. Quite how the various water seals and roof parts stand up to the wear and tear of real world motoring remains to be seen but at first glance they appear well fabricated. The Citroen C3 Pluriel may not be everybody’s cup of tea but neither were the great Citroen models of the past. Buoyed by strong sales of their mainstream models, there’s a new confidence about the company that allows them to indulge in flights of fancy like the Pluriel. If you keep buying Picasso and C3 models, Citroen will follow the Pluriel with yet more innovative wares. Perhaps we should all give thanks to the ‘Sensible Shoes Subsidy’ if it creates cars like this.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 Pluriel range PRICES: £12,995 - £16,095 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-6 CO2 EMISSIONS: 120-155g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.6i] 0-60 12.6s Top Speed 117mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4HDi] (urban) 40mpg / (extra urban) 71mpg / (combined) 63mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBA and EBD WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3934/1700/1559mm

STOP BURNING FUEL & START SAVING
Stop & Start technology makes a lot of sense for urban drivers. Jonathan Crouch tries it in Citroen’s C3 1.4 16v

With Citroen’s C3 Stop & Start, the main questions centre not around why you’d buy one but why you wouldn’t want to. After all, the arguments for an automatic engine switch off in stop-start traffic are pretty straightforward.

With the ‘Stop & Start’ system, the engine is automatically turned off and is in ‘standby mode’ when the vehicle stops at traffic lights and in traffic jams. The engine instantly starts up again when the brake pedal is released, with the vehicle pulling away once the accelerator is pressed. This C3 was the first mass-produced car equipped with this innovative system and, for the time being, can only be ordered in 1.4-litre 16v petrol form with the semi-automatic ‘SensoDrive’ transmission, Citroen’s electronically controlled manual gearbox. In testing, Citroen reckon that the ‘Stop & Start’ system has reduced fuel consumption by 10% for city driving, 6% in a standard combined cycle and up to 15% in heavy traffic. All this sounds reasonable, as does the fact that CO2 emissions should be reduced by a similar proportion. You could also argue – and Citroen do – that widespread adoption of ‘Stop & Start’ technology would help to improve the quality of life in cities, since drivers and the urban environment would benefit from total silence during the many times vehicles are stopped. With studies slowing that traffic in inner city areas can be stationary for up to 30% of the time, this C3 could offer even greater savings for urban drivers faced with the daily prospect of traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and congestion. The system stops the engine a split second before the car comes to a standstill, then restarts it again in just 400 milliseconds (twice as quickly as a traditional starter motor) the moment the driver takes their foot off the brake pedal and wants to accelerate away as normal. The secret behind this technology is apparently a reversible alternator that acts as a standard alternator one minute (driven by the engine to charge the battery) but when required, also acts as a starter motor, driven by the battery to effortlessly restart the engine.

"With traffic in urban areas stationary for up to 30% of the time, ‘Stop & Start’ makes sense…"

Since ‘Stop & Start’ is the kind of technology aimed at people who’ve one eye on fuel bills, you might have expected it to appear on a diesel-engined model first. It doubtless soon will but, for the time being, Citroen are looking for a publicity splash and the simple truth is that the savings that this system achieves allied to diesel power are nothing like as great. Perhaps more significant is the fact that ‘Stop & Start’, like the 1.4-litre 16v petrol model itself, can’t be ordered with a conventional manual gearbox, instead working as part of the semi-automatic SensoDrive paddle shift system. Since incorporating it means only a few changes to the software, Citroen are consequently able to offer the technology at little or no extra cost for C3 1.4 16v petrol customers. Enough on ‘Stop & Start’, what about the 1.4-litre engine under the bonnet? Well, performance is brisk without risk of turning the front tyres into smouldering carcasses every time you tread on the righthand pedal. The C3 1.4 16v will accelerate to 60mph in 12.7 seconds before running on to a very respectable top speed of 111mph. The extra 11 lb/ft of low and mid range torque make the 16v unit feel a good deal gutsier than its 8v sibling. Because the engine also features a variable valve timing system, you’ll feel the benefit of that torque across a wider range, making this C3 happier when pulling from a standstill. It’s also a good deal more refined than the 8v unit when extended. You won’t even pay a penalty in terms of overall fuel consumption, the 16v engine returning an average of 47.1mpg which is even better than the 8v unit. The 143g/km of carbon dioxide emissions also land this particular C3 in a very low taxation band. And the Sensodrive gearbox? Well, it does make this C3 supremely easy to pilot in urban traffic. The gearbox features a mode whereby it defaults to a conventional automatic transmission, thus saving you the bother of shifting yourself. When the road opens up, you can switch it to sequential mode and flip up and down the gears using paddles behind the steering wheel or the centrally mounted gear lever. It’s not one of those clever clutchless manual systems – there’s still a conventional automatic torque converter – but it does offer three different programs (Normal, Sport & Snow) as well as that fully automatic mode. Also worthy of note is that fact that SensoDrive has been tweaked in the latest facelifted C3 models. It now features revised shifting paddles with a higher-quality feel and a chrome-topped gearlever that slides around its gate rather than centring itself after a mode has been selected. This version comes only in Rhythm trim, which means you can expect to find luxury items like lateral airbags, fog lights, body-coloured front and rear bumpers and side rubbing strips, plush interior trim and the option of a full size electric glass sunroof, perfect for those sunny summer days. The technology behind ‘Stop & Start’ is nothing new. Volkswagen dabbled with it twenty years ago. However, Citroen was the first manufacturer to bring it to the volume market. You have to wonder what has taken everybody so long – and how long it will be before it’s simply something we all take for granted.

Facts At A Glance

THE MORE INCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE
The 1.6-litre Exclusive model resides at the sharp end of Citroen’s C3 range. Andy Enright tries it for size…

If one was to nominate the friendliest supermini, the very antithesis to in-your-face dynamism, the Citroen C3 would probably get more than a few votes. With its grinning visage and cute curves, it’s about as threatening as the Tweenies. Therefore it comes as something of a surprise to find that in plush 1.6-litre Exclusive guise, it’s got a bit more attitude than you’d at first give it credit for.

It’s largely down to the excellent 110bhp sixteen-valve engine that’s found beneath the C3’s snub nose. Offered solely with the SensoDrive paddle shift gearbox in Exclusive form, it’s one of those engines that barely puts a foot wrong. Punting the car to 60mph in 12.6 seconds, it makes the C3 Exclusive a reasonably lively partner. The top speed of 118mph is evidence that the Exclusive has a good deal in reserve when travelling at usual motorway speeds. The average fuel consumption figure of almost 46mpg gives the opposition little hope whilst the 148g/km CO2 emissions are similarly admirable. The C3 Exclusive sports a suitably unthreatening but nevertheless neat set of 15-inch alloys along with chrome effect door handles and rear number plate surround and a two-tone half-leather steering wheel. Automatic digital air conditioning helps alleviate the unwanted side effects of all that glazing, whilst multiplex wiring sees to it that the C3 gets big car features like automatic rain sensing wipers and cruise control. There’s a refrigerated glove box to prevent your chocolate bars turning into astronaut food, an additional storage bin under the driver’s seat, electric heated and folding door mirrors and an anti theft alarm. Twin front and side airbags also feature. The C3 Exclusive’s brakes deserve a special mention. Fitting the standard C3 disc and drum setup obviously wasn’t going to wash with a car that was not only quicker but a fair bit heavier than the other models. Therefore the Exclusive gets some ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear. This system is augmented not only by standard 4-channel anti-lock, but also electronic brakeforce distribution and Emergency Brake Assist. One suspects the guy working in Citroen’s braking department was looking for a promotion.

"It’s doubtful the C3 Exclusive will live up to its name…"

And the Sensodrive gearbox? Well, it does make this C3 supremely easy to pilot in urban traffic. The gearbox features a mode whereby it defaults to a conventional automatic transmission, thus saving you the bother of shifting yourself. When the road opens up, you can switch it to sequential mode and flip up and down the gears using paddles behind the steering wheel or the centrally mounted gear lever. It’s not one of those clever clutchless manual systems – there’s still a conventional automatic torque converter – but it does offer three different programs (Normal, Sport & Snow) as well as that fully automatic mode. Also worthy of note is that fact that SensoDrive has been tweaked in the latest C3 models. It now features revised shifting paddles with a higher-quality feel and a chrome-topped gearlever that slides around its gate rather than centring itself after a mode has been selected. The interior is adventurously styled – which makes a change from all the other makers who seem to be slavishly aping VW Group products. As a result, instead of a dull Teutonic cabin, we’ve got one that goes its own way, light and airy with low window lines and bold, sweeping curves. More importantly, there are enough bins, cubbies and boxes to make locating a carelessly stowed bunch of keys the work of several minutes. ISOFIX child seat mounting points feature strongly and such is the C3’s family orientation that an optional ‘Child Pack’ is available. No, this isn’t a lockable trunk that stows problematic sprogs safely in the boot, it’s a selection of extras that will hopefully offset just such an outcome. A child safety indicator on the dashboard monitors whether seat belts have been unclipped whilst safety locks can be activated or deactivated via a dash-mounted switch. A 12-volt socket at the rear, previously the preserve of MPVs, allows junior to play Gameboys without the ticking time bomb that is a battery failure/high score moment. Aircraft-style trays can be fitted to the back of the front seats with clip-in pen and cup holders and plastic bag hooks. The greatest feature is probably the simplest. A swing down mirror that’s usually stowed behind the standard rear view allows you to keep an eye on the offspring without impeding your forward vision too badly. Clever safety-conscious electronic features have been borrowed from the larger C5 – things such as speed-sensitive intermittent wipers with rain sensing activation, hazard lights that deploy automatically under severe braking as well as comprehensive pedestrian safety features. Side window airbags feature on the options list alongside other Exclusive options including an electric sunroof, grey leather upholstery, heated front seats, a rear parking sensor and even satellite navigation. Given such an impressive showing, it’s doubtful the C3 1.6 Exclusive will live up to its name. Citroen’s stock shows no sign of peaking just yet.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Citroen C3 1.6 Exclusive PRICE: £13,195 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 148g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.6s / Max Speed 118mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 45.6mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3850/1667/1519mm

RATTLE AND HUM
Our Citroën C3’s force of personality can’t help but raise a smile. Andy Enright reports

The key to getting along with the Citroën C3 VTR is not to take its hot hatch pretensions too seriously. Let the bodykit and alloys worm their way into your consciousness and you’ll start marking this car to some very exacting criteria. Treat them as just a bit of marketing floss and you’ll get on a whole lot better with this car. By the time we returned it to Citroën, I had grown rather attached to a car that I’d previously sneered at as a sheep in wolf’s clothing.

That’s not to say it was without its faults. Citroën has come a long way in terms of build quality over the last decade but a key fob that falls into three pieces onto the road surface as soon as you take it out of your pocket doesn’t create a good first impression. Nor does the fact that within 100 metres, I found myself turning the stereo up to drown out the twittering caused by the rear seat and parcel shelf. A quick spray of WD40 cured the squeaking and allowed me to concentrate on the car’s other qualities, of which there are some admirable and others that are slightly more testing of your patience. One aspect that needs a fundamental redesign is a safety issue. My route home takes me through some rather dark country lanes with a national speed limit. Flip the left hand stalk from main beam lights to dip when you spot an approaching vehicle and unless you strike dead centre of the wand it’s worryingly easy to catch a glancing strike and switch the lights completely off. Disconcerting to say the least and it happened to at least two other members of the test team, so my own clumsiness can’t be solely to blame.

"The C3 VTR is certainly better to drive than to look at"

Illumination issues aside, driving the VTR on rolling B-roads like this otherwise shows it at its best. The excellent 110bhp HDi diesel engine that’s found beneath C3’s snub nose barely puts a foot wrong. Okay, so it’s hardly out of the blocks on the b of bang, getting to 60mph in 9.3 seconds, but to put that into perspective, it’s still quicker to the benchmark sprint than an Alfa Romeo 147 1.6 and as fast as a 1.8-litre Audi A3. No equivalent Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa can get near it. The top speed of 118mph is evidence that the VTR has a good deal in reserve when travelling at usual motorway speeds, although a sixth gear would be make the engine a little easier on the ear. Refinement at speed is okay, the only drawback being some vibration through the metal-topped gear lever. The average fuel consumption figure of almost 63mpg gives the opposition little hope, whilst the 120g/km CO2 emissions are similarly admirable. To put these figures in perspective, let’s consider what that seminal hot hatch, the Volkswagen Golf GTI, could manage when introduced in 1977. The sportiest hot hatch drive of that day was good for 9.6 seconds to 60mph, a top speed of 108mph and an average return of 29mpg. These days, the least sporty of all the superminis looks to have that icon licked. How times change. Nobody would put up with thirteen-inch wheels for a start! Taken in isolation, there’s not a great deal wrong with the styling parts Citroen have selected for the VTR. It’s just that they’re on a C3. Imagine Natalie Portman cast as lead in an Aliens movie and you probably get the idea. The 16-inch Leopard alloy wheels are augmented by wheelarch extensions, body coloured side rubbing strips and a chromed exhaust pipe finisher. The front end has a revised bumper, a broader air intake and revised fog light housing while the entire bumper assembly

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