Citroen C3 test drive since 2002 hatchback

Lightness of Being

The first glance abandoned at the new Citroen C3 fell into profile. Deja vu? No, rather de-ts-vi: in the design of a completely new car, the characteristic features of his famous ancestor are guessed-2CV.
 
The long -awaited compact Citroen hatchback hatchback is extremely distant for our times of universal unification. In the appearance of the car, the features of the distant ancestor and the edges of the New Age are harmoniously combined. The baby turned out to be well -knitted, but you can’t call it muscular, the word is more suitable.
 
In half a turn in front, the C3 resembles 2CV even more: the rear overhang is completely lost, the roof becomes rounder, the characteristic outlines of the hood and the false radiator grill are manifested. The developed neckline in the bumper and serious optics are fashionable and add to the car of solidity.
 
Behind - stylish triangles of lanterns, a small visor on the door with the built -in repeater of the stop signal and the sensors of the parking system on the bumper cladding. A severe negative collapse of the wheel promises good handling.
 
The first thing you pay attention to in the cabin is the front seats. A suitable definition pops up in my head - ottomans. (Suddenly you understand that I had not seen female cars at all. Undoubtedly, today we are just like that.) The seats are equipped with the retreating armrests, heating and mechanical adjustments, including in height.
 
The steering column is tuned along the angle of inclination and the length in a fairly wide range. Light narrow pedals are high. The gearbox lever is always at hand (though he did not show excellent clarity of switching). The efforts on steering wheel switches are adequate. The right to control the audio system. There are no complaints about the convenience of the driver’s place, which can not be said about the territory of the rear passengers. Places for their legs were taken a little, well, at least there is enough space over their heads with excess.
 
Original silver deflectors, door handles, dashboard and computer screen form the rounded lines smoothly flowing into each other, which creates the effect of lightness and light. The impression is enhanced by the colors of the torpedo: the light lower part helps to avoid the feeling of crowding. On the right - two containers for small things: on top of a glove box, from below the glove compartment itself.
 
The instrument shield is peculiar. A narrow strip of analog tachometer is launched along the upper edge, which impresses the light aroma of antiquity. In the center is a digital speedometer combined with a computer display. On the sides are stylish indicators of the fuel level and engine temperature. In another car, perhaps all this would look not serious, but here - just right.
 
The salon is finished with inexpensive plastic, but there is no sensation of strict savings. Several details nevertheless give out a budget genealogy of a car: the hull, like a part of a cheap toy, looks thin and closes hard, sometimes not the first time; ashtray - plastic; The backs of the rear seats are closed with difficulty. At the same time, the finish of the ceiling with anti -linen visors is very good.
 
The trunk is small, but conveniently and original organized. With the help of laying partitions, it can be divided into two compartments or create a second bottom. Small bags will include small bags, and the partition will protect them from the pressure of large luggage. With the back of the rear seat folded in parts or entirely the back of the rear seat, the same second baggage deck will help to form a spacious platform.
 
At our disposal - a modification with a 1.4 -liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 75 hp. The car is equipped with a manual KP, an electric power steering, ABS, electric drives and heating mirrors, front windows, air conditioning and fog lights. Note that the Russian market also presents versions with an automatic machine that aggregate with a similar engine. You can purchase C3 and with a 1.6-liter 16-valve engine. All machines supplied to Russia are equipped with an Arctic package.
 
Having adjusted the seat, you take a city landing and find yourself behind the wheel of a minivan. Or is it a hatchback? Difficult to understand. But the hood is not visible. It seems that the classification of cars needs a review. Remember the new Honda Civic or Peugeot 307? Now here is Citroen there. However, it is for the better: there are less motor, space for people - more.
 
Having passed two blocks, you suddenly realize that you are going, completely without realizing how this happens. The maneuvers are performed by themselves. The hand finds the controls blindly. The lively motor takes easily, the programs cling to each other. The machine is surprisingly balanced and integral - a real high. No side support? But the body does not slip anywhere. Is there no reactive effect on the steering wheel? But the feeling of a car is one hundred percent.
 
C3 jurks a turn, easily responding, as it seems, not to rotate to the best of the sharp steering wheel, but to the driver's desire to change the course. Perestroika also does not require attention: the review back and to the side is not limited. Sometimes you even forget that you are sitting in the car. C3 as if I was wearing you: wheels - light comfortable slippers on the leg, body - sports windbreaker. The only thing that grieved is a little - the front racks of the cabin limit the visibility in a canopy turn.
 
Assessing the behavior of the car on the road, we note a small tendency to drift the rear axle in the bend, especially on uneven coating. However, this is rather a dash of character than a dangerous trend. Yes, and it would unjustify other manners from a small class car with a comfortable suspension.
 
The engine of our handsome man does not differ in an explosive temperament, but it knows. Starting from 2000 MIN-1 provides quite acceptable traction. But on the bottoms of the torque is noticeable, which, in general, is natural, given the modest volume and simple design of the motor, as well as a relatively stretched transmission.
 
At increased speeds, the power unit is noisy, but it makes no sense to twist it to the top: the moment characteristic is even. Boring? May be. But C3 allows you to go in an active one, a light style, not clutching the lever of the CP with every maneuver. In the role of a cruising city program, the third acts (the range of 2 - 4 thousand min -1 corresponds to the speed interval of 40 - 80 km/h).
 
The brake pedal - to match all controls - does not weigh anything, but slowing down does not cause problems. With the overall mood of the machine, the work of ABS contrasts - tough, clear, accompanied by a loud rattle. Such a nature of the action of the system, coupled with the automatic inclusion of an emergency for anyone, will return from heaven to earth.
 
For its class, the model is quite comfortable. Caring for the microclimate is assumed by the air conditioning, a full-time radio with CD player of Clarion is pleasing to hearing. A soft suspension silently practices pits and joints of asphalt at low speed. The driver and the front passenger are accurately in the database, which also improves comfort. The picture is overshadowed only if you burst on the broken section of the road: the salon is filled with rattling plastic parts. What can you do - price competition in this segment is very tough.
 
In the basic configuration, there are airbags, the number of which can be increased. When engraving for parking (eternal nightmare of female drivers), parking sensors and folding mirrors will help out.
 
In the end, a small detail: the solar visor of the driver is equipped with a mirror with a backlight.
 
Text: Dmitry Sokolov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel