Citroen C3 test drive since 2009 hatchback

Citroen C3: Clouds over Elbrus

Kolesa.ru spent a weekend in Kabardino-Balkaria, rolled on mountain winding roads the new Citroen C3 and examining clouds over the Elbrus through a glass panoramic roof.

- Voibate with Sytrans? The traffic police officer who stopped me asks me on an impromptu checkpoint near Nalchik. I nod, handing him a package with documents and a driver’s license.
- Is this a chip? Continues to the guard, bypassing the blue hatchback, taking the documents, but without looking in them.
- In the base - almost five hundred thousand, I say. (I was too lazy to pronounce four hundred and eighty -seven)
“And what, this one is also to drink?”
“Net,” I suddenly escaped from me, why I was embarrassed, immediately turning off the accent. This will be more expensive from 640 thousand rubles. Here, after all, a top equipment, engine 1.6, machine gun, panoramic roof
They gave me the documents without listening to the proud transfer of the merits of the third. I do not like? And your colleagues from Moscow and St. Petersburg are also unlikely to like those prefer more cars

Why Citroen arranged the Russian premiere of C3 in the vicinity of Nalchik, I realized when I got to the snowy top of Elbrus and saw it through the panoramic glass roof of Zenith. Incredibly: we drove past a mountain giant, which was visible to his full height! It is not surprising that when I asked the Citroen marketing director Serge Monie, in which he sees the strongest side of the new C3, he answered the windshield without hesitation. Although there were only half the question about the strengths, and on the second part, what is the weakness of C3? Serge, smiling, replied that he would not say. Like, he could, but he would not. Come on, Monsieur Montier, I think that I myself will guess ...
Citroen C3 is delivered to Russia with three engines: two 1.4-liter (75 and 95 hp), which are equipped with mechanical gearboxes, as well as a 1.6-liter VTI with a capacity of 120 hp, available only with a 4-speed automatic. For the test, we were offered two upper versions, excluding budget 75-horsepower 1.4.

The most common inhabitants of the mountain serpentines of the Elbrus, tinted (including windshield) VAZ seven. Mostly white. As the Aborigines are able to rush, I think even those who were not in Kabardino-Balkaria imagine. My colleagues and I tried to keep up with them, but your humble servant loves life too much to compete with dashing southerners in highways. Although C3 with the 1.6 engine quite allowed this: the hatch was even, but confidently accelerated, rode well at the top and, as necessary, pulled at low speeds. That until a 1.4-liter hatchback he rides also evenly, but less briskly, and it works louder.

The lever of a mechanical box, which plays a little stronger than you expect, was somewhat upset. True, it’s a sin to complain about the quality of inclusion of programs. Moreover, the transmission also knows how to tell the driver when it is better to switch to increased in order to reduce harmful emissions and fuel consumption. However, we managed to deceive the box: if we turn on the fifth speed and, moving at 30 km/h, press the gas strongly, the computer does not advise dropping. But it should
The Citroen C3 chassis was inspired by mountain landscapes much less than me. CEO-third resident of the Big City, more plain and straightforward than Nalchik and its environs. The electrical power generously fills the steering wheel with lightness, which is why the latter is reluctant to share with the driver of road information. The new rear suspension is now there a deformable beam without a stabilizer is also against a quick ride; She actively participated in the tossing of the stern on the bumps during rebuilding and in corners. Yes, and on the line C3 shocks and throws up slightly, especially upset by the discomfort of the rear passengers.

But in the city of Citroen came to life and pleased. C3 has an amazingly soft move and smooth reactions, and noise insulation is completely higher; The sound of the motor penetrates the salon only at high speeds. And the disadvantages of the new suspension on city streets are not at all noticeable felt only by the softness of the work of irregularities and smooth, unobtrusive rule of steering.
The front in the cabin is quite spacious, and the rear passengers will be very satisfied with the generous distance to the front seats and the height to the ceiling. In addition, perhaps the versions with the panoramic glass of Zenith: a sliding ceiling that serves as a sunscreen and a bridge of visors can slightly constrain high passengers.

******
My second experience with an employee of the local traffic police turned out to be even shorter than the first. I was caught in a parking lot at the cafe, a young officer jumped up to me, throwing hello! And saying hello to the hand. The next (and last) remark was his replica and what is the consumption of the car? Hearing two numbers around the city and on average, he, satisfied, ran back to his colleagues sitting in the car near the roadside.
It seems that the local road police distributed questions between the guards to journalists, and each link performed its strictly allotted survey functions

If the first traffic police officer listened to me, he would probably have learned that the most affordable C3 Dynamique costs 487,000 rubles and is equipped with a 1.4-liter 75-horsepower engine with manual transmission. Also, the chis-third-third airbags, ABS with systems for distribution of efforts and help with emergency braking, steering wheel power steering, on-board computer, front electric windows, electric lock, radio training, central locking, rear drum brakes. I would recommend taking a closer look at Tendance with a 95-horsepower 1.4, which is sold from 568,000 rubles. Side airbags, front fog lights, a driver’s seat adjustable in height were added to it, air conditioning, airbraise, leather steering wheel, audio system. Engine 1.6 with an automaton in the same configuration is available for 604,000 rubles, and in the top version of Citroen C3 with such a power unit costs from 640 500. In the maximum version of Exclusive (with a 1.6-liter VTI), rear discs, panoramic glass are added to the equipment list. Zenith, central armrest, cruise control, climate control, chrome edging of body parts, steel wheels R16, finishing the seats velor.
Perhaps the optimal version for the city is Tendance with a 1.6 engine, which is sold for 604,000 rubles. Plus, 10,000 rubles for the color of metallic and heating the seats. However, for the same amount you can buy a 1.4-liter Exclusive with a panoramic glass; Through it it would be great to look at the starry sky, mountains or Moscow skyscrapers. But stones that are low along our roads can make a luxurious option (worth 22,000 rubles) the reason for constant appeals to the service. Although I am sure that Zenith will be highly appreciated in Europe.
 

Author: Alexander Korobchenko
Photo: author and Citroen



 

A source: Wheel magazine [April 2010]