Citroen sheds light on local C3

Following its launch at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, Citroen's new C3 "supermini" is in the blocks for deliveries to Australian customers beginning at the end of November.

Essentially a rework of the original C3 introduced locally in 2003, the latest version comes to market with five doors, two petrol engines, one turbodiesel and a pre-delivery-costs entry price of $19,900. In top spec, it also upstages other contenders in its market with a massive windscreen that sweeps onto and over half the roof.

The new C3 plugs a five-month gap left by the original version's disappearance in May, when local stocks ran out.

Citroen makes much out of the compact dimensions of the C3, which was originally touted as a latter-day 2CV with a lot more style. The company claims it is nine centimeters shorter overall than a Peugeot 207 or Renault Clio yet provides "one of the most spacious cabin environments and a class-leading 300 litres of boot space."

The new C3 will be available in three levels of trim -- base VT, mid-range VTR+ and top of the line Exclusive. The $19,990 VT comes with a five-speed manual transmission only, while Pre-on road costs pricing for the petrol auto VTR+ is $23,490 ($23,990 for the diesel manual), while the Exclusive is tagged at $25,990 for the petrol auto and $26,490 for the manual diesel.

Petrol engines embrace a 1.4-litre four-cylinder delivering 54kW/118Nm (base VT) and a 1.6-litre four (VTR+ and Exclusive) familiar in Peugeot 207, 308 and MINI) with 88kW and 160Nm. The VT's 1.4-litre engine is available as a manual only, while the 1.6-litre in VTR+ and Exclusive only comes as a four-speed auto. The 1.4-litre returns an average fuel consumption figure of 6.3L/100km along with C02 emissions of 145g/km, while the 1.6-litre manages 7.0L/100km and 160g/km.

The five-speed manual-only HDi turbodiesel is available in VTR+ and Exclusive and produces 66kW/215Nm, along with a claimed combined fuel economy of 4.3L/100km. C02 output is 110g/km.

In terms of safety, all models come with stability control, anti-lock brakes with EBD and EBA, and front and front-side airbags; curtain airbags are standard on all but VT. Only the Exclusive gets the Zenith windscreen, plus the Bluetooth and USB connectivity that are optional on VTR+.

Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroen in Australia, says the new mini Citroen is "impossible to confuse with any other car and provides a unique offering with that sensational panoramic Zenith windscreen."

Citroen is already taking orders for the new C3 and customers will begin taking delivery from the end of the month.

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