Citroen C3 test drive since 2009 hatchback

All photos of Citroen C3 since 2009

Citroen C3. 2012

Citroen C3. Price: from 12 950. On sale: since the spring of 2010
By 2012, Citroen intends to enter the top three largest automakers in Europe, although now, in terms of sales in the EU, the company takes only seventh place! And the French have already drawn up a plan for the seizure of the market, where one of the main roles is allocated to the new Citroen C3

Test pilot
Maxim Fedorov, 32 years old, automobile journalist, driving experience: 6 years, personal car - Ford Focus II
Of course, almost two -time Citroen sales growth over the past ten years cannot but impress. But the statement that in just two years the company will be able to enter the top three market leaders look as realistic as the prediction of the end of the world, which, according to the Mayan calendar, will come true in the same 2012. Here you don’t know who more to believe the Mayan calculations or the calculations of Citroen marketers. However, the latter has the advantage of the new Citroen C3, with the withdrawal of which the company plans to increase sales in the B-segment by 1.5 times, from 6.5 to 10%. And if the French are able to grab a tenth of the most tidbit of a European car market, which accounts for 40% of all sales, then, quite possibly, Citroen will reach the intended goal.
The hatchback, released under the motto of Creative Technologie, has already entered the European market and is still sold very well. The public interest in this car was noticeable during the test drive, which was held in the vicinity of Rome. It is difficult to surprise with something sophisticated Italians, but Citroen C3 coped with this task perfectly. The role of the show-stopper helped him play a huge panoramic Zenith glass. This solution is not new, but on the B-segment it is used for the first time. Creative!
And the design? Creative too! Moreover, unlike the model of the previous generation, the quality of the finishing materials became an order of magnitude higher. Outside, the car also became older, and one of the reasons for such metamorphosis is the use of wheels of a larger diameter: the minimum size of shoes increased from 14 to 15 inches, and the maximum to 17.

Looking at the new Citroen C3, you will not immediately believe that this car is one of the most compact in the classroom. However, it is small only in length: in height and width, as well as spaciousness, this hatchback surpasses many competitors. To make a car more spacious, the designers used different tricks. So, to add the legs for the legs of the rear riders, the thickness of the back of the front chairs was reduced by 3 cm, and with the pouring the glove in the deeper of the front panel, they received an additional 8 cm of free space for the knees of the front passenger.
At the same time, compared with the predecessor, the mass of the car decreased by 6080 kg count, now we carry one passenger for free. And how we take it! The new C3, perhaps the most driver Citroen. The top gasoline engine with a volume of 1.6 liters developed by BMW engineers allows you to put all 120 horses with a gallop, and it lacks only one clear and less stretched transmission.
Zenit is a champion!
The idea with a panoramic zenith glass, which increases the viewing angle for the front riders by almost 4 times (from 28 to 108 degrees), was tested by Citroen designers even at the old C3. As an experiment, a regular windshield and part of the roof were cut out by car, inserting a bent piece of plexiglass in their place. They rolled, looked good! They showed the leadership they are delighted. The technologists of the largest manufacturer of automobile glasses of Saint-Gobain Securit were entrusted to realize the idea of \u200b\u200bthe idea, after which they conducted Crash tests in order to make sure that panoramic glazing does not worsen the safety of the car. Zenith glass will be put only on top versions, and those who plan to buy such a car should be aware of some features of this configuration. For example, there are no make -up mirrors in the sunglasses that are advanced along with the protective curtain, since the visors themselves are very thin. And when ordering a rain sensor (it is placed near the rear view salon mirror), a thin, but nevertheless clearly noticeable electric wiring will go from it straight to the roof.

We do not love
The interior decoration is made of expensive materials and looks very stylish. Stylish
The Hi-Fi audio system is for a surcharge. Suddenly
The volume of the trunk grew to 300 liters, while there was a place for a full -sized spare wheel. Practical
Advantages and disadvantages
+ Spacious interior, high -quality finish, stylish design, panoramic glass, good handling, price.
- A hard suspension, a stretched transmission, an inconvenient armrest.

Specifications
Mark and model - Citroen C3
Dimensions - 3940x1730x1520 mm
Engine - gasoline, 1598 cm3, 120 liters. S./6000 min--1
Transmission - mechanical, 5 -speed
Dynamics - max 190 km/h; 8.9 s up to 100 km/h
Competitors - Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207

Our opinion
The design and premium quality of interior decoration favorably distinguish the new Citroen C3 from competitors. The original Zenith windshield is another plus in the piggy bank of the advantages of Franus. Moreover, a new model is only 100 more expensive than its predecessor. But this is in Europe: we will learn Russian prices closer to May.