Test Drive Citroen C3 since 2002 Hatchback

Friendly "Tse-Third"

Product Facial
Interest in Citroen-C3 (Citroen C3) in the Russian market clearly designated. Maybe he seems modest on the background of such bestsellers as Nexia or Focus, but 815 Top third, sold in nine months of this year, is not a bad indicator at all, if you consider that the car is not the cheapest car on the market. However, for several months, dealers sell Citroen with a 1.1 liter engine at a price of 9900 euros.
What is offered for this amount? Two airbags, adjustable steering column, central locking, immobilizer and front electrical windows. We decided to take advantage of this proposal as a reason to try on the car. True, this time (C3 has already flashed in editorial tests) A car with an engine with a 1.4 liter engine and an automatic transmission with the ability to manual switching came to us.
Machine In this configuration, dealers consider the most interesting in their price segment. The bet is made on a rather frisky motor, an advanced automatic box, four pillows in the database, an attractive appearance and a large interservice interval. All this for an acceptable amount - from 13,690 euros. From the smallest details not specified in the price table, such a machine is equipped with a driver-adjustable driver (there is an adjustment of the steering wheel), heating mirrors and front seats, electric mirrors and glass front doors, as well as a central lock with remote control. The choice is offered 13 colors (including six metallic) - from white to black.
Outside and inside
The exterior of the car undoubtedly refers to his merits, although it is often counted for an excessive roundness to a purely ladies. For a while, this will have to put up - such is the Russian mentality. Strong half of us associates themselves with large forms, although there are no such prejudices in Europe.
Despite the compactness, Citroen tries to be high inside and tightened outside. The thresholds are high enough, visually do not seem low and bumpers. True, armed with an ordinary line, you understand that it is more correct to speak not about the high front bumper, but rather a big corner of entry.
The minimum road clearance of 145 mm is not bad for a small urban car, and it is especially gratifying that the bottom point at C3 is the cross the subframe. But even if the Citroen owner does not intend to travel to the village, it is desirable to establish the protection of the engine compartment, at least a plastic - from dirt. It will save the sensors and wires under the bottom, and they are enough of them.
The outer mirrors on Citroen as a whole are successful - large enough, with a developed visor from above, besides, they can be folded in the parking lot. In our configuration there were electric appliances mirrors and glasses. And although the round hood is not visible to the driver at all, the visibility and sense of dimensions will appreciate high.
The size of the cabin allows you to place in front of even very large people. Behind the head is spacious, but closed knees. Here are three three-point belt, headrests - option.
Very comfortable spherical deflectors are scattered around the panel, and the heater fan has eight speeds. In the center - a small display, the clock is displayed, the temperature overboard and, for example, a signal about the unlocked doors.
If the car is a regular radio, next to it in the central part of the panel, additional buttons are placed in the central part of the panel - in order to set the speed of the cruise control system and to remotely control the baby blocking the rear doors. It is curious that at the same time the second button on the machines supplied to Russia does not work, and the functions are first duplicated on the end of the left steering wheel switch - it is necessary for machines, unpaid by regular music.
The combination of devices did not really like it - with a digital indication of speed without the usual direction speedometer. This makes it difficult not so much the reading of information as its perception. Otherwise, everything completely corresponds to the expected level of amenities.
How robes
Suffice it to say that the small car has large tires 185 / 60R15 and relatively long-term suspension - the main features of his behavior on the road will clarify by themselves. It is high stability, not very large, but noticeable rolls in turns, easy overcoming small irregularities and calm perception of medium. We will also add the opportunity to quickly go through the grader or even, well-rolled country. In general, the qualities that are valued in Russia.
Especially mentioning a rare for small machines with an automatic transmission property: even with intensive overclocking, the motor, spinning to high revolutions, does not press the ears. This one already allows us to talk about the feasibility of installing the machine on C3. We note as a plus one more circumstance.
As you know, on machines with automatic transmission, the lack of power supply in some modes is very tangible. Let's say, when the car is jerking in a traffic jam, when it is difficult for him to decide on the choice of transmission between the first and second. Or when overtaking on the country highway. Here, perceiving the kick-down, the machines often switch to two steps down, and after a few seconds, they rest in the red zone and are forced to switch up again. In this case, the Citroen machine allows manual gear selection (here it is called Senso Drive), convenient just with a modest volume of the engine. There is a Sports and Winter Modes at the Cports Machine.
The car is subjectively perceiving as sufficiently smart (including due to the low noise level from the engine), modern and very friendly. Probably, the latter determined quite a high demand for small Citroen in a weak half of the automotive community.
SERVICE
We have already mentioned that Citroen-C3 provides highly attractive service frequency - 20,000 km. At the same time, the first three then in the amount will require a little more than 300 euros. All cars supplied to Russia have anti-growing coating on the bottom and sneakers. Warranty - 3 years or 100 thousand km.
Service centers and car dealers are open in 10 major cities - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Tolyatti, Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, Perm. In the very near future, they will appear in Yaroslavl, Arkhangelsk, Kazan, Naberezhnye Chelny, Ufa, Saratov, Tyumen, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and Surgut.

The hood is easy and, opens, it rises almost vertically.

And the visor is quite by the way.

In the upper right corner, two extra buttons.

Adjusting the armchair in height and heating.

The digital speedometer is still uncomfortable.

Rear back cut.
 
 

 

 

Alexander Budkin. Photo: Alexander Kulnev

A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"