Citroen C3 test drive since 2009 hatchback

All photos of Citroen C3 since 2009

Citroen at Zenith

In a sense, if the new generation Citroen C3, if not changed, expanded sexual orientation, and now it may well choose not only a partner, but also a partner. In any case, a young tightened man behind the wheel of this compact car should not cause a condescending smile. Well, for self-affirmation, this man can plant a pretty woman from himself and grab with a breeze, especially if he masters a 120-horsepower version of C3. If he wishes in addition, so that his enviable passion is better visible to everyone, he will make a choice in favor of the Exclusive configuration with a windshield called Zenit, which turns the car into a aquarium on wheels.

Charm and dynamics
Continuing the idea of \u200b\u200bthe orientation of the new generation C3, I can notice that the lady is of course! It will look at the wheel of this Citroen is more than appropriate. For all external dynamics, even aggressiveness, a unique brand charm is preserved in the appearance of the car. Relief body panels, a high window line and expressive lighting equipment did not take away the inherent model of harmony. Even a huge trapezoid of the air intake in front (it’s even boring to list the latest generation models decorated with this very fashionable trapezoid) looks quite organic in C3, only emphasizing its sports ambitions.

Although C3 became more than the length increased by 9 cm, and the width of as much as 32 cm is still a very compact car that has not changed the B-class. As before, it seems less outside than from the inside, but now this sight is even more impressive. The main thing: in the shoulder zone it became noticeably more frequent. I myself am not a small person, and my colleague in the test drive was by no means a squelch, but we, having settled down on the front seats, were no inconvenience. The seats themselves, by the way, became thinner, but not tougher, and not to the detriment of the reliability of the design, according to engineers. But the range of adjustments of the chair increased, and more space appeared from behind. Although, it is necessary to honestly say four, and even more so five big uncles in the cabin will be crowded. As, however, in the cabin of any V-class car, whether it is Opel Corsa or Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Fabia, Ford Fiesta or Mazda 2, of which the main competitors of Citroen C3 are considered.

Having got inside, you pay tribute to the interior, which, I would say become better and more stylish. The dashboard under an elegant visor holds three wells one round, in the center of the speedometer; and two tachometer on the sides of the side on the sides, and a mini-display with a fuel level indicator and other data on the right. I definitely like it more than the previous digital panel. And in general, this composition with a lacquered front panel finish, flattened from the bottom of the steering wheel and the bed of manual manuals creates a sports mood. Since we frolic in the vicinity of Rome on the most powerful and well-equipped C3, we also had a climate control, a very good audio system and navigation My Way, which, by the way, promise to Russify. And, of course, the same windshield like zenith.

If my memory serves me, then nothing like this was found in the cars of this class. Very cool, but for an amateur. There is a lot of light during the day, and a lot of stars above the head at night, and, having arrived close to the traffic light, do not strain to look out the green angle of view vertically increased from 28 to 128 degrees. However, your will, reader but personally, in cold cloudy weather, I chose to move the ceiling curtain forward, so somehow warmer. In this very curtain there are thin visors, from which I suspect that mirrors disappeared to displeasure of women. In return, however, a folding mirror is proposed. And one more thing: too wide the review, especially when it comes to beautiful places, partly interferes with focusing on driving. And for some reason I wanted to go quickly on this car.

Azart
A 120-horsepower gasoline engine with a BMW Valvetronic system gives a French car weighing a little more than a ton with an enviable temperament. On the highway, C3 easily gains passports 190 km/h, and at some point the speedometer shooter even overcame this line that I attributed to the error of the device. At the same time, what pleased the car confidently behaves at high speeds. And in addition, it is surprisingly smooth that it is not very typical for compact cars. Along the way, I note that the wind is whistling this, but a special roar from the motor compartment is not even heard in the limit modes: noise insulation has become clearly better.

The fact that pendants do not graze before speed already speaks of their good settings. But fully evaluated the design of the design only on the serpentine. And Citroen C3 started me! Unlike his predecessor, he stopped bowing to every turn, the folly disappeared almost without a trace, and it was possible to pass a turn behind a turn with an increasing speed, until my partner in the test was voiced. But it was not necessary to find fault with C3, they say, the clutch pedal is slurred, and it is not too convenient to manipulate a 5-speed mechanical KP lever! For me, everything is fine: the pedal is not long -term, without tight and normal, this is not a sports car. The moment of picking up is traced, and enough. In the excitement of the race, I climbed the programs automatically, without hesitation means that the manual transmission is also not bad. And the wish about the fact that the levers could be a little shorter, and the transmission looks even closer to the controversial all depends, ultimately, on the level of preparation of a person while driving and on what exactly he requires from the car. For ordinary
urban ride Algorithm for the work of the box is quite acceptable. A little later, by the way, an automatic machine will be offered with a 1.6-liter engine, although an old 4-speed one.

I liked the steering mechanism with an electric power, it provides adequate reactions of the car, allowing you to control it at any time. If C3 begins to turn his nose from turning at a decent speed, it is worth a littleaging, gently give the gas, and he will dive into a turn, like a nice one. Citroen demonstrates slightly insufficient rotation, which can not be recognized as safe setting. The main thing is not to pay much attention to the ESP system indicator, which, in my opinion, does not always blink in the case. In general, close kinship with similar Peugeot, in terms of settings of the chassis, unequivocally, Citroen C3 went only to the benefit.

I did not drive a car with a well-known 75-horsepower engine. But on the version with a new engine, 1.4 VTI rolled a little, and I can say that she did not seem fresh to me either. In principle, and 95 forces are enough to not feel in C3 in a flawed driver. As for modifications with turbodiesels that are very popular in Europe, they will still not be supplied to us. Unfortunately, I wanted to say, but in fact, the demand for small cars feeding on diesel fuel is still very small in our market. They are more expensive than gasoline, and the Russian buyer for the most part is not used to count a penny and determine when additional costs during the purchase will be bought by the difference in fuel price. I think this is a matter of time.

Maiskaya Ptashka
The new Citroen C3 will come to the Russian market very soon, in May. Prices will begin at 487 thousand rubles. This is a little more than asked for C3 of the previous generation, but understandable: the car has become different more spacious and more verified in running qualities. All the main competitors that I have already listed are represented in approximately the same price range, and some of them are more expensive. In addition, it will be necessary to take a closer look at the equipment, which at the time of delivery of this issue of AI were not yet determined, but, it is likely, even the basic will not seem scarce.