Citroen C3 diesel Australia's most economical

With a claimed average fuel consumption of just 4.4 L/100km and a recommended retail of $23,990, the new light-class five-door Citroen hatchback hits the market as more economical but slightly more expensive than its key Volkswagen rival, the similarly-sized Volkswagen Polo TDI.

The VW costs $1000 less and quotes a combined fuel consumption of 5.0 L/100km.

Citroen also takes a swipe at the emission efforts of some others by mentioning that the C3 HDi produces 118 g/km CO2, which is below the 120 g/km set as an industry target by "European green officials".

The HDi is fitted, like virtually all new-generation diesels, with a particulate filter which, in this case, means unburned hydrocarbons escaping from the exhaust are "below a point at which they can be measured." The baby Citroen is also able to accept Biodiesel fuel.

The C3 HDi's 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine produces 66kW at a relaxed 4000rpm, along with a useful torque maximum of 215Nm that comes in at a mere 1750rpm.This allows the manual-transmission five-door hatch to race to 100km/h from a standstill in a fairly swift 10.8 seconds.

The HDi is pegged at the same price as the automatic transmission Exclusive 1.6-litre petrol C3 and is fitted out quite comprehensively with front and side airbags, ABS, air-conditioning, quality audio, central locking and power windows all standard. The C3 gets a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Ironically, the new Citroen is priced lineball with another Ateco import -– the smaller-engined 1.3-litre turbo-diesel Fiat Punto which quotes a 4.6L/100km average fuel consumption.