Citroen C2 test drive since 2003 hatchback

Extract!

The well -known Winzip program is designed to reduce file size without loss of data from them. They learned to do similar operations with cars - Citroen C2 can serve as an example.
In Russia, small cars do not like. Some drivers always remember that a mother -in -law can call, which will have to be taken to the station or from an airport with two suitcases and five bauls. Others will remember that any small car when colliding is deformed stronger than large. Most of the owners of foreign cars are cynically grinned, reading about a decrease in fuel consumption per liter and a half. Five -sixth populations of Russia, deprived of the joy of habitat in megacities, are unlikely to be very interested in simplifying parking due to the lower length of the machine. And on this market, Citroen displays model C2, which is created on the platform of the already existing C3 and at the same time differs in compactness. Moreover, a beginner costs almost the same as his older brother. It would seem that there was no sense, because from a commercial point of view, the idea seems to be doomed. However, it turned out that the demand for C2 is even higher than for similar versions C3 and many modifications of a more solid XSARA. What attracts buyers so much?
LOADING. Creating different cars on the same platforms began not at all yesterday. Today it is a vital necessity. Of course, it is possible to develop several different -caliber models. But selling profit is already difficult. Caring about the extraction of money from the pockets of the jail, and simply not too rich buyers, the PSA group, uniting Peugeot and Citroen, several years ago decided to reduce the number of platforms. It was decided that some of them would serve as the basis for models of two classes at the same time. Kinship C2 and C3 is the first result of this project.
Outwardly, the novelty has practically nothing to do with a relative. Not only is C2 shorter, so this circumstance tried to emphasize as chopped forms as possible. From the impressive roundness of the silhouette of C3, almost nothing remained.

 
In addition to the base and length, the range of power units was also subjected to the reduction - in our C2 market it is presented only in two versions: with a 1.4 -liter engine (73 hp) and a regular gearbox and 1.6 liters (110 hp. ) with Sensodrive - a mechanical transmission with electronic control. Fulfillment options are also rigidly attached to the units: a more modest machine is offered in the SX version, and the 110-horsepower option is in the VTR configuration, which costs $ 3.8 thousand more. And if the cost of a 1.4-liter C2 (about $ 14.5 thousand) can also be perceived as a reasonable fee for a modern compact car for every day, then $ 18.3 thousand, from which the price of C2 VTR begins, takes it beyond Traditional classes: a prestigious warmed hatchback is obtained - with one driver this car accelerates to hundreds in less than 11 seconds. Perhaps for some buyers it will seem reasonable to lose the extra two seconds, but to get the rear doors and a more spacious C3 interior, which with the same power unit costs exactly the same. But the fact remains: the 1.4-liter C2 is not too inferior in the dynamics of the top version of the older brother. The conclusion, perhaps, is this: in terms of value and consumer properties, a more modest version of C2 looks more attractive.
 
Judge for yourself: the standard equipment includes electric windows, adjusting the front seats in height, the steering wheel power steering, four airbags and a central locking lock. On the car that we went to the test, there were also climate control, heating seats and mirrors, rain sensor, cooled glove box, an audio system with CD and six speakers and control on the steering column, as well as cast discs. True, these options brought the cost of the car to $ 17 thousand.

INTERFACE. Once again, we are convinced of the injustice of the opinion that the first impression is the most true. Designers pulled out well on appearance, and outside C2 does not look too large and spectacular. And the merchants, overwhelmed by the desire to save and unification, did not allow the work of artists in the salon - the instrument panel remained exactly the same as in C3. It turned out the following: the consumer has a pleasant feeling of inadequacy of the spaciousness of the salon by the dimensions of the car.
 
The back became completely different. Instead of a triple sofa, there are two separate chairs here. Some compensation for a more modest space for passengers is the possibility of adjusting in the longitudinal direction and angle of inclination of the back of their sofa. However, this rather increases the possibilities for placing baggage while maintaining a place for passengers, which increases the comfort of the latter. With the rear chairs shifted to the stop, only children can sit on them. And only the rear right seat manages to completely fold, and then provided that there is no one on the chair in front of it and it is pushed to the stop. Alas, in such dimensions, it is still unrealistic to ensure a complete set of functions of an ordinary hatchback. So the owner of C2 will still have to choose between people and things.

  
But auxiliary functions are implemented to the maximum. For access to the back row, the front seats are pushed away, and their backs are leaned forward. Due to the presence of mechanical memory, they return to the same position from which they opened without additional adjustments. The trunk door consists of two halves. Both turned out to be short enough, and there is practically no additional space to open them: if a person can approach from behind, it means that there is enough space to open the trunk.
The position of the rear seats can be changed directly from the trunk: the duplicate handles are displayed behind the backs and the tilt of the backs, and with longitudinal movement, and, of course, allow you to push the seat forward.
Speed. The chassis and other units do not differ at all from C3. Actually, for the sake of this, everything was started. Moreover, the very combination of the same units with smaller sizes is the main advantage of a compact car. Shortening and appropriate mass reduction inevitably led to some edition, even one might say, reduction, acceleration dynamics and fuel consumption. The numbers, of course, did not decrease too much, but in a dynamic urban life it is time to get used to value even a couple of seconds or one and a half liters of fuel.
 
Perhaps the most significant drawback of C2, except for the price, will be the deceitful style. Those who are used to counting all the small and bright cars are female will have to be somewhat disappointed: according to control and reactions, this is not a girl at all. The engine is quite painful for its 1360 cubes quite willingly accelerates C2 even at medium speeds, and the rest of the units and governing bodies are also devoid of feminism. Well, I would like to add clarity in the gear shift drive, although the general impressions of the transmission lever are not the most terrible. The same can be said about the adhesion: like most foreign cars, it is long. But you can get used to this in general in one day.
 
Once again, we note the characteristics of a modern Citroen suspension that are extremely pleasant for the Russian driver. It will help if you do not forget about one of the traditional troubles of Russia - the road, then at least come to terms with it. Long moves and high energy intensity compensate for some rigidity of shock absorbers and springs. That is, to make irregularities completely invisible, but their intersection will cost minimal losses in comfort while maintaining quite corresponding to the dynamic appearance of stability and controllability. More sports impressions can be achieved by ordering a car on a 15-inch rubber instead of a 14-inch. However, a decrease in tire profile height will reduce comfort. And the 16-inch wheels, which are placed in a standard configuration on a 1.6-liter VTR, will completely turn the car into a stool. Low rubber for everyday drive in our conditions is suitable only if you really want to make sure that Ferrari also has disadvantages.
Text Valery Chusov, photo Konstantin Kokoshkin and Automobiles Citroen

Citroen C2 SX
The engine is gasoline 4-cylinder
Working volume (cubic cub) 1360
Power (L.S. at rpm) 73 at 5400
Moment (nm at rpm) 118 at 3300
Front drive
Gearbox 5-speed mechanical
Length/width/height (mm) 3662/1659/1461
Wheel base (mm) 2315
Equipped mass (kg) 991
Maximum speed (km/h) 169
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 13.5
Fuel consumption, city/highway (l/100 km) 8.3/4.9
The price in Moscow is $ 17 thousand.

 

A source: "Autopilot"