The New Citroen C3 has arrived in Australia and if you were expecting something a little quirky … a little different … and maybe a lot more fun than all the other small cars out there then you’re not going to be disappointed.
Citroen has always delivered something different and, while you won’t see a Citroen C3 cruising down the expressway on three wheels you will see something that certainly does stand out from the crowd. Even the way Citroen mix and match the engine and transmission options is a little different in the C3
Range
The Citroen C3 is available in two equipment levels and two engine/transmission levels. The entry level C3 is the PureTech Seduction Manual and it comes equipped with a 60kW 1.2-litre, three-cylinder (yes … just three cylinders) engine that delivers 118Nm of torque at 5,750rpm
The 12 valve multi point fuel injected engine is matched with a five-speed manual gearbox and that combination delivers fuel economy of just 4.6L/100km on a combined cycle.
If you want auto transmission then you will start with the Auto Seduction C3 and you’re going to be sitting behind a 88kW, 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine coupled to a four-speed sequential auto-adaptive auto transmission.
This combination develops 160Nm or torque at 4,250rpm and returns 6.6L/100km on a combined cycle.
The same engine powers the top of the range C3 … the Exclusive.
Equipment levels
Even the entry level Citroen C3 is well equipped and features a Zenith windscreen, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, full-size spare, cruise control with speed limiter, manual air conditioning, leather steering wheel, multi-function trip computersix airbags and more.
If you move up to the C3 Seduction automatic you get all of the above plus special rims and a space-saver spare tyre. I’m not sure if you could class a space-saver spare as something worth having but but it’s there anyway.
When you step up to the exclusive you get everything in the base model plus the dinky toy spare, 17-inch rims, a front centre armrest (it may sound strange but personally that’s something that is definitely worth having) automatic air conditioning, rear-view camera, rear-park assist, satellite navigation, automatic wipers and automatic headlights.
Safety
Safety features on the new Citroen C3 include ventilated front disc brakes, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency braking assistance, electronic stability control and six airbags
So what’s quirky and different about the Citroen C3? Just take a look at the photos taken inside the car and imagine driving down the street with all that expanse of glass over your head. That’s not a sunroof … that’s the Zenith windscreen.
I’m betting that you won’t want to call Windscreens O’Brien if you get a crack in that expanse of glass … but I still think that it’s worth having.
The bottom line
If the quirky Citroen bug has bitten you then be prepared to pay a reasonable price for your car. The Citroen C3 Seduction Manual is $19,990 plus dealer and government charges. The Seduction Automatic is $22,990 plus dealer and government charges and the Exclusive Automatic is $25,990 plus all those nasty charges.
However … if you’re quick Citroen has a special deal going on the entry level C3 and until December 31 you and drive it away for just $19,990.
Would I do it if I wanted a small car? I would certainly be tempted and it would be on my test-drive list.
