Citroen's second-generation C3 small car comes with the most unique styling feature of any car in its class - a panoramic windscreen.
But there's a catch. It’s only available on the flagship Exclusive models (priced from $25,990) not the entry-level $19,990 car. Those who buy the VT or VTS+ models get a standard windscreen.
The C3 comes in three equipment levels – VT, VTR+ and Exclusive – and three engine choices – a 1.4-litre (54kW, 118NM) petrol, a 1.6-litre (88kW, 160Nm) petrol and a 1.6-litre (66kW, 215NM) turbocharged diesel. The petrol engine is sourced from the PSA (Peugeot/Citroen) alliance while the diesel engine is the product of a PSA and BMW alliance. The diesel is the same engine that is in BMW’s ultra frugal Mini D.
The C3 is Citroen’s most popular-selling model. When launched in 2002 – the C3 entices younger buyers tot the brand as well as more women. The French carmaker hopes the new C3 will build on that.
The new C3 becomes the car maker's entry small car, sitting below the recently-released DS3 three-door hatch in the line-up. This is because Citroen no longer sells the C2 here. The C3 rivals other premium small car offerings such as the Volkswagen Polo and Peugeot 207.
As you'd expect from Citroen the new C3 has unique styling that distinguishes it from other small cars on the road.
Its exterior proportions are a bit deceiving. At 3.94m in length it is the smallest of its rivals. Yet, thanks to some clever interior design, it has the largest boot with 300 litres.
PRICE:
VT 1.4 litre petrol manual $19,990
VTR+ 1.6 litre petrol automatic $23,490
Exclusive 1.6 litre petrol automatic $25,990
VTR+ 1.6 litre turbo diesel manual $23,990
Exclusive 1.6 litre turbo diesel manual $26,490
DRIVE IMPRESSION:
There was only one model available for us to drive at the launch in Sydney this week – the flagship 1.6-litre petrol automatic with the Zenith windscreen.
Slide behind the wheel and your eyes are instantly drawn to the huge panoramic windscreen.
This quirky feature allows you to take in 108-degree views of the world in front (and above) as you drive around – not that we’d suggest you take in too much of the sights if you’re the driver.
It has a clever cover which slides forward to a ``conventional’’ windscreen position if things get too warm. The cover locks in any position between its forward most point and the rearward point and is progressively tinted to cut out up to 85 to 90 percent of heat and UV rays.
According to Citroen, the windscreen is self-cleaning so any muck that gets picked up in everyday driving or in wet weather slides off rather than collecting on the roof and spoiling your view.
On our short drive loop around Sydney the windscreen provided lovely views of the harbour bridge and tree-lined streets but there were a few issues. In the 26-degree heat we encountered it quickly became warm in the front stalls and we spent most of the time with it forward. I could only imagine what it would be like in a typical 35-degree summer’s day. But, I guess that’s where you’d simply slide the cover forward.
As the visors are attached to the roof lining they don’t swivel so you can’t turn them to the side windows to block out the sun coming in the side of the car. The screen is fixed so you can’t use it like a sunroof or a convertible.
Rear-seat headroom also suffers from the extra space that is required for the roof when its slides backwards. While it was fine for me at 5ft 5 my male co-driver found it a little squeezy.
Interestingly, despite being targeted at stylish types, in particular female buyers, the sun visors don’t have vanity mirrors.
Space up front is excellent with good head, leg and shoulder room. There is space in all four doors for a 600ml drink bottle and a few covered cubby holes up front to keep valuables out of sight. The centre arm rest (Exclusive models only) hides a small covered compartment and the chilled (not available on VT) glovebox is divided into two sections.
Bluetooth was standard on the Exclusive model we drove and is a $700 option on the VTR+ models. It’s not available at all on the VT models.
Safety equipment is comprehensive with ESC and six airbags standard on all models. The C3 has not been crash tested by ANCAP but gains a four-star rating by Euro NCAP as the majority of C3s sold in Europe don’t get ESC standard. ESC is standard on all cars in Australia and would be expected to achieve the maximum five-star rating if tested here.
The front seats are quite comfortable although they lack any substantial bolstering when the road becomes twisty. Slip into the rear and legroom is good for a small car. The seats also appear comfortable but again lack any real bolstering. There are map pockets on the back of the front seats. Move to the back and you are treated to a large boot. It’s deep and wide. Under the floor is a space saving spare wheel.
On the road the out-dated four-speed automatic gearbox hinders performance. It hunts around town and makes a droning noise that strangely sounds like a continuously variable transmission. The four-cylinder engine is loud as the revs climb.
On the transmission selection gate there is a `Sports’ button. Press it and the transmission behaves more like you’d expect. It holds gears longer and seems to be more intuitive to your driving style.
The ride is tuned for comfort, rather than sportiness, and soaks up all but the largest irregularities. The cabin was pretty quiet for a small car too on all but coarse bitumen surfaces.
Surprisingly, you don’t get alloy wheels on any models – instead they are a dealer fit option.
Forward vision is excellent but rear vision is compromised and you’d probably want to take advantage of the optional parking sensors ($500) available on VTR+ and Exclusive models.
The C3’s steering is tuned for city driving not tackling a twisty mountain road. For those who want a sporty drive, the DS3 would be the better pick as the C3’s steering is inconsistently weighted, feels disconnected from the front wheels and is also quick to re-centre.
The new C3 is a step forward for Citroen compared with the previous model. It offers buyers who want a European badge something unique.
