Road test: Accomplished C3 an easy rider
If there are two particular aspects of Citroën’s new C3 model that you remember after a decent drive, it’s the nice refined ride quality and the light, airy feel of the cabin.
Other plus points on this revamped model — Citroën’s biggest-selling car — are its roominess for front-seat passengers and decent-sized boot.
It is offered in five-door form only, with a 59bhp 1.1-litre, as well as 72 and 94bhp petrol engines, three diesels, a 67bhp 1.4, as well as 89 and 108bhp 1.6 litre.
Three e-HDi Airdream microhybrid engines are also available for the C3, at 70, 90 or 115hp, offering combined cycle figures of up to 83.1mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 87g/km.
On a tour of Belgium, I appreciated the serenity and ease of driving. The six-speed manual on the Exclusive e-HDi 115 Airdream model, in blue metallic, was light, smooth and accurate and the diesel as smooth as they come. The car is easy to see out of — despite its curves — particularly skywards, thanks to the windscreen that sweeps back above the driver’s head. The dash and dials are vastly improved over the old C3, while the driving position is good.
Despite being “only” a supermini, the C3 is a car in which you could happily cruise motorways at speed, for some time, in comfort. As an accomplished all-rounder for town, country and motorway work, it is rather, well... accomplished.
Citroën C3 Exclusive e-HDi
115 Airdream 6-speed manual 5-door
Top speed: 118 mph; 0-62 mph: 9.7 secs;
CO2: 99g/km;
Price: £16,670
