Automarket Review

Citroen offers now a brilliant Prius alternative – but this isn’t quite it. The C3 1.6 HDi might astound you with excellent fuel economy and impressively low emissions – and for many people, these are reasons enough to buy. In many ways, the Citroen C3 can be seen the French version of Volkswagen’s New Beetle, but better done.

You might also be seduced by lovely styling (still, after all these years); or revel in the sheer individuality of driving an offbeat French car. But this baby is now one of the very senior light-car offerings, reflected in the generally tight packaging, patchy interior presentation and dull driving experience. The price makes the C3 no steal either. We recommend stretching to the gorgeous C4 diesels, or hanging out for this car’s not-too-distant replacement instead.

 
Upside
Outstanding fuel economy, low emissions, torquey performance, great styling, eager handling, feel of individuality.
  
Downside
Feeling its age, patchy interior presentation, tight rear seat, expensive, no ESC stability control, feeling eco-car.

Warranty
Three years/100,000km

Citroen C3 Price Range
SX  $19.990 
Exclusive  $21.990 
Exclusive (a)  $23.990 
HDi  $23.990 
Pluriel Convertible (a)  $29.990  

Spreadsheet of Specifications:

 

Data   WARRANTY: Three years/100,000km ENGINE: Type: 1.560-litre common-rail direct-injection inline four-cylinder diesel Location: Front, transverse Drive: Front-wheel Bore x stroke: 75 x 88mm Compression ratio: 18.0:1 Power: 66kW @ 4000rpm Torque: 215Nm @ 1750rpm Fuel type: Diesel Ave fuel cons: 4.4L/100km CO2 emissions: 118g/km TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manual only SUSPENSION: Front: Independent by MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar Rear: Flexible transverse beam, two cast-iron arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar STEERING: Type: Variable-assistance electric-powered rack-and-pinion Turning circle: 10.7 metres, Turns lock-to-lock: 3.25 DIMENSIONS: Length: 3850mm Width: 1667mm Height: 1520mm Wheelbase: 2460mm Track, front: 1439mm Track, rear: 1439mm Braked towing capacity: 1160kg Luggage capacity: 305-1310lt Kerb weight: 1104kg STANDARD EQUIPMENT: Twin front airbags Twin front side airbags Anti-locks (ABS) Electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) Electronic brake assist (EBA) Remote central locking Alloy wheels Power steering Power windows/mirrors Air-conditioning Six-speaker CD audio system Height-adjustable headlights Tilt/reach adjustable steering wheel

Enjoy your drive with this fascination car: Citroen c3

Tags: automobile review, car review, citroen, citroen c3, french cars