Citroen raises roof on new C3

Generally appealing style hasn't been in short supply with Citroen's C3. The little bubble car, rated in Europe as a supermini, was promoted at the time of its 2002 launch as a modern day incarnation of the iconic 2CV.

Now, seven years later, the C3 comes to the Frankfurt show with a significantly new look that hides the fact it is still based on the same basic structure.

What it amounts to is a complete re-skin, and new window lines punctuated by a massively over-swept windscreen extending almost all the way to the B-pillar. There's also a new, generic grille, meaning there's not going to be much trouble separating old from new.

Citroen says the new C3 continues the tradition of providing "generous cabin space" with "exceptional passenger comfort," complemented by road behavior that is "excellently balanced between ride comfort and irreproachable road holding."

The main focal point is undoubtedly the windscreen. Reminiscent of those  bubble-roofed cars people in the 1950s thought we would all be driving today, the C3's 1.35-metre long 'Zenith' windscreen certainly covers an alarmingly large area. The payoff, in some countries, will be more related to the style than the substance. It certainly looks less than hot-climate compatible.

Despite the C3 remaining within tight external size constraints, it is more spacious than before -- using things like narrower front seatbacks and a redesigned glovebox that allows the front-seat passenger to move forward of the driver. The already highish seats assist legroom. On top of that the 300-litre boot gets a wider and lower hatch opening.

The new C3 is also claimed to offer better quality and improved refinement.

An all-new audio system uses a boot-mounted sub-woofer for "theatre-like" sound quality. A USB socket on the centre console allowing the playing of music stored on an iPod or  mobile phone and Bluetooth connectivity are optional. Citroen's MyWay navigation, audio and multimedia system is also available.

The C3 comes with ABS (discs on the front only) and ESP stability control is optional across the board in Europe.

Three turbodiesel engines and four Euro 5 compliant petrol engines are offered with the cleanest of the diesels (Hdi DPFS 90) emitting just 99g/km of CO2 [Ed: by our estimates that translates to a fuel economy figure under 3.8L/100km]. Even the least-clean version produces 118g/km, while the petrol engines emit 134g/km and 160g/km respectively.

In 2011, the C3 will be available with a second-generation Stop&Start system mated to automated five and six-speed gearboxes. A new generation three-cylinder petrol engine will, according to Citroen, emit less than 100g/km.

The Australian launch of the new C3 is expected to be in mid 2010.

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