Citroen C3 1.6HDi Full Review
Posted: 05 October 2007 by SmartPlanet
With its curvy styling, Peugeot Citroen's C3 supermini broke the mould and became a big seller. But it is Citroen's latest 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine that makes our heart beat a little faster.
Boasting a near-Prius 64mpg, the C3's engine is perfect for the stop-start urban grind. It will tug along at a respectable pace and, for a diesel, is refined to boot. Plus, its emissions rating is an admirable 118g/km. Diesel obviously has its attendant problems local pollution in the forms of nitrous oxides and particulates, but the green win here is on the carbon-cutting fuel economy.
Driving dynamics are often overlooked in favour of practicality, but the C3 rides the bumps well and is a game cross-country companion. Visibility is also good, thanks to the lofty driving position and acres of glass. Firm, progressive brakes handle stopping, but it's the steering that's the star. Electrically assisted, the helm is nice and meaty at speed but, for parking and pottering, it is fingertip-light and makes squeezing into tight spaces a breeze.
Aside from performance, design plays a huge part in this car's appeal -- it looks like the designers threw out all their rulers as even the bottom edge of the side windows rises up from the door in a carefree, funky way. In profile, the C3's roof is one long sweeping arc from the bottom of the windscreen to its rear bumper, and the bonnet gently slopes down to meet the car's broad, slatted grille. The high rear bumper line hints at an easy-to-load boot.
The C3's front seats get plenty of room, but space is in short supply at the back
Inside, we like that the curvy dash on the passenger's side is sculpted to allow for valuable legroom. The centre console is all rounded corners and easy-to-reach oval buttons, while the circular air vents must have been plundered from a passing spaceship. Even the steering wheel is organically styled, and is reminiscent of the firm's old DS and GSA models.
Unfortunately, rear legroom isn't as plentiful, but short city hops shouldn't make back seat passengers too grumpy. Even with a five-seat layout, there's no problem with the cabin's ergonomics -- fabrics are plush and comfy and the digital instruments are easy to read. Continue reading...
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