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By
EWAN KENNEDY
6 March 2006
Citroen's little C3 is a modern-day style leader
and has delighted enthusiasts of the French marque with its clever
shape. Though the company claims it’s a fresh-screen design, not a
modern day Citroen 2CV, there are enough cues to that iconic design to
satisfy even the most diehard fans of the company’s designs.
For the 2006 season, the Citroen C3 has received
a minor facelift but, thankfully, it remains true to its original
fascinating theme. Look for an even more prominent front end
thanks to revisions to the radiator grille and a bolder design of
the famous Citroen chevron. The front bumper is larger and more
standout in its theme.
At the rear the C3 bumper bar is also more
prominent than before. The chevron has been reworked and there are
clear tail-lights in the way of many new designs of car. Seems
like a shame that Citroen is following others in design, many like
to think of the company as a style leader. Anyway, the new rear
lights look good and work well.
Inside the cabin of the C3 there are bigger
changes. Citroen has heeded complaints that the instrument layout
wasn’t always the easiest to see, particularly in strong
Australian sunlight. Enlarging the LCD display and making the
tacho easier to read has done the job pretty well. The complete
instrument panel has received a styling rework and there are also
changes to the door trim design and colours to complement this.
The biggest news is under that pretty rounded
bonnet. Initially the Citroen C3 1.6-litre came only with a
self-shifting manual gearbox, a five-speed SensoDrive, that could
be used manually or automatically. Though it’s on the rough side
in its auto mode. The big advantage of automated manuals over full
automatics is that there's little or no loss in performance or
increase in fuel consumption.
But now Citroen finally offers a full four-speed
automatic transmission sitting alongside the 80 kilowatt,
1.6-litre engine. This has made a big difference to the feel of
the car. Offering more satisfying launch feel as well as a lot
more punch for safer overtaking.
Fuel consumption is higher than for the manual
gearbox as the 1.6 has to work relatively hard. Around town, which
is where automatics excel, expect to use about nine to eleven
litres per hundred kilometres depending on traffic conditions. On
the open road the consumption could drop to as low as seven litres
per hundred, though eight litres is a more likely result. The
automated manual would typically use 10 to 12 per cent less fuel
in the suburbs, but the difference in the country could drop to as
little as five per cent.
This is a relatively small car and is best
regarded as a two-plus-two rather than a full four-seater. Things
are improved if the front-seat occupants can afford to move their
seats forward two or three notches.
Boot space is OK for a small car, but a
voluminous luggage space is the first thing to suffer in the
inevitable design compromise in any sub-four-metre car.
Intelligent loading can get the best from the boot, but check it
out for yourself before falling in love with the brilliant styling
of the little C3. These days some European cars are priced at
about the same level as Asian cars, but the Euros are usually a
full size down and luggage space is the area to suffer.
Handling of the little Citroen is brilliant. It
has great road grip and a nice chassis balance that will really
appeal to the person who likes to drive their car hard in
demanding territory.
Citroens have become legendary in their ability
to soak up the rough stuff even on Australian backroads. However,
while comfort is generally good around town, we were surprised to
find that some rough sealed roads could catch the C3 out at times.
Overall refinement is good for the class,
without really being outstanding as some of the latest crop of
small cars are really exceptional in the way they calm down noise,
vibration and harshness.
Citroen's decision to fit a full automatic
transmission beside the 1.6-litre engine will give the C3 a big
lift in the Australian sales race and is to be applauded.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
C3 SX 1.4-litre five-door hatch - $19,990
C3 Exclusive 1.6-litre five-door hatch - $21,990
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard on both models
Air Conditioning: Standard on both models
Automatic Transmission: Not offered on SX, $2000 option on
Exclusive
CD Player: Standard on both models
Central Locking: Standard on both models
Cruise Control: Not offered
Driver Airbag: Standard on both models
Passenger Airbag: Standard on both models
Front Side Airbags: Standard on both models
SPECIFICATIONS (Citroen C3 Exclusive
1.6-litre five-door hatch)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.587 litres
Configuration: Transverse, four cylinders in line
Head Design: SOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
Bore/Stroke: 78.5 x 82.0mm
Maximum Power: 80kW @ 5750rpm
Maximum Torque: 147Nm @ 4000rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Five-speed
Automatic Transmission: Four-speed
Final Drive Ratio: NA
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 3850mm
Wheelbase: 2460mm
Width: 1667mm
Height: 1520mm
Turning Circle: 10.7 metres
Kerb Mass: 1058kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 45 litres
Towing Ability: 570kg (1170kg with braked trailer)
MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts, coils, lower wishbones,
anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Transverse beam, two cast iron arms, anti-roll
bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated Disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 10.0 secs
Standing 400 Metres: 17.1 secs
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
City Cycle: 9.2 L/100km
Highway Cycle: 7.0 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/60,000km
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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