irishcar.com - Citroen C3 preview

The Citroën C3, coming to Ireland towards the end of May, has rounded lines and a friendly face. The short overhangs and rounded enveloping forms of the roof, wings, windows, bonnet and doors accentuate the car’s compact design.

A funky interior complements the distinctive exterior. The two-tone dashboard blends in curved lines that house digital displays, driver instruments and circular air vents, while large elliptical bins in each door, curved door handles and door levers inset into semi-spherical recesses continue the overall theme. Aluminium effect fittings and an innovative instrument display emphasise the C3’s individuality.

Front seat occupants have greater head, leg and elbow room than some cars from the class above. The C3 is actually three inches shorter than the Fiesta, and has up to 30 separate stowage areas including large door bins and underseat drawers.

The boot is one of the biggest and tallest in the class and features Citroën’s innovative Moduboard system designed to separate the boot into compartments, ideal for keeping muddy wellingtons separate from shopping bags, which can be easily stored upright. When not in use, the Moduboard can be removed or stored against the back of the rear seats.

With the largest glass area in the class and elevated seating positions, and the rear seats higher than the front, the C3 provides excellent all-round vision. Later in 2002, there will be a full-length electrically-operated glass sunroof .

Child-friendly features include child locks that can be activated via a button on the dashboard and Isofix child seat fittings. ‘Aircraft-style’ trays on the back of the front seats and a special mirror, located below the rear view mirror, are options also be made available.

The C3 can be fitted with a rear parking sensor, automatic rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, ‘black panel’ night-time instrument lighting and automatic activation of the hazard warning lights under heavy braking as well as other features such as speed-sensitive control of the stereo volume and windscreen wipers, ‘guide me home’ headlamps and even a programmable ‘overspeed’ warning.

The C3 range can offer 67mpg as well as 123 mph performance. Engines include Citroën’s new generation 1.4 HDi diesel, 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol, and a new 92hp 1.4 16V HDi direct injection diesel unit which will be available later in the year. IrishCar.Com understands that a 1.1-litre petrol will be offered with the car in Ireland.

Electric variable power-assisted steering will feature on this first model to be built on the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group’s entirely new PF1 platform. Active and passive safety elements include a high-yield strength steel construction, five 3-point seatbelts together with the availability of six airbags, and ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Braking Assistance. The non-aggressive front end is specially designed to minimise pedestrian injury in the case of any impact.

Much effort was made during the design stage to minimise the potential time taken, and costs incurred, when carrying out repairs after a typical accident. This includes the use of collapsible absorbers on both front and rear crossmembers, and the fitting of easily replaceable front and rear bumper sections.

All models feature remote control central locking with deadlocks, a new generation coded engine immobiliser, and, thanks to multiplex wiring, automatic relocking of the vehicle if it is accidentally unlocked as well as automatic locking of the boot as soon as the vehicle starts to move.

Details of actual Irish specifications are not yet available, but in other markets electric front windows with one touch operation and remote control central locking with deadlocks will be standard.

The car will be available only as a five door model.