Test Citroën C3 BlueHDi 100, with a lot of personality

El segment B It is one of the most demanded in our country along with the compact. Few European car manufacturers can afford not to have a product in this category because, although SUVs are very fashionable, this traditional segment still has a lot of strength in the market. In fact, to give us an idea, there are usually two or three B-segment models among the five best-selling passenger cars of each month in Spain.

Today we put ourselves at the controls of a utility vehicle that, having been born in 2002, now debuts its third generation, the Citroën C3. The two previous generations have not fared badly in terms of sales, with 3,5 million units, and it seems that the third is following the same path. In its first six months on the market, it accumulates 8.200 orders in our country and on a global level exceeds 100.000 registered units. Let's get to know it thoroughly.

We tested the Citroën C3 in Shine finish with the 1.6 hp 99 BlueHDi engine, being associated with the five-speed manual transmission. Their dimensions The exteriors are 3,99 meters long, 1,75 wide and 1,47 high, with a wheelbase of 2,54 meters. Compared to its predecessor it grows 5 cm long, 2 cm wide and loses 5 cm in height.

The C4 Cactus has marked him

Seeing the good reception of the Citroën C4 Cactus, which has notably changed the design idea of ​​the French range, the C3 wanted to have certain similarities with it; proof of this are the airbumps. But let's go by parts.

At front we find a narrow main line born from the brand logo that ends in the fine optics of LED daytime lighting. Below them, more rounded headlights act as low beam and high beam, leaving the fog lights at the bottom. In the central area, two divided grills channel the air for cooling the engine compartment. The Low zone from the four sides receives protections in black, looking for a crossover appearance and a greater visual sensation of volume and packaging.

Our car has a two-tone finish, although we could also say tritone, with the body in red and the roof and the mirrors in white. The A and B pillars are in black, as are the famous airbumps found in the lower area of ​​the doors. These elements contribute a lot of cosmetic difference with the rest of the market, because only the C4 Cactus and this C3 offer them. The wheels, also two-tone, are 17 inches with 205/50 tires. The rear part is simpler, with pilots looking for three-dimensionality and marked lower protections in black.

habitability

The Citroen C3 is a urban vehicle, so we can not expect a cabin in which five occupants can feel too comfortable. The front seats They are correct in terms of space in height and width, although it has not given me the same sensation in length. To feel comfortable I have to move the seat back too much, getting my head and shoulders up to the B-pillar. And I have to move it back so much because the pedals are too close to me. It also doesn't help that the seat belt not adjustable.

When going up to rear seats, with the driver's seat in a comfortable position for me, the knee space is somewhat fair. Meanwhile, unless we are about 1,80 meters tall, we will not touch the ceiling with our heads. On the other hand, by placing the passenger seat in a comfortable position, we can be closer to the dashboard, which leaves more space for the legs of the occupant of the right rear seat. The central square better to use it only in specific cases or by children.

We go to the cargo space. The trunk holds 300 liters of space, standing more or less in the middle of this segment B. Its shapes are regular, so it is quite usable, more than other rivals, but it has the negative point that the loading mouth is at a fairly high height relative to the trunk floor. If we lower the second row of seats, which is divided into two asymmetrical parts, the volume increases to 922 liters, although the floor is not flush.

It also maintains the philosophy of the Cactus inside

Like the exterior, the interior benefits from many solutions derived from the Citroën C4 Cactus, such as the interior handles of the doors that remind us of a bag strap. Citroen has introduced multitude of rectangles with its rounded ends throughout the cabin, appearing on the inner door panels, on the instrument panel, on the steering wheel and on the air vents.

I would like to highlight some details about your front seats. These have a very comfortable padding and are quite wide. It may seem like an advantage, but the truth is that it has not finished convincing us outside the city. The support in curves is null, moving too much in curves even circulating at calm rates. If we raise the pace it seems that we need to look for something to hold on to. Of course, when driving on the highway or when passing over the typical bumps of our towns, they do us a great favor. Also we miss a shared center armrest instead of the single narrow one used for the driver.

Another detail that, for our taste, is not correct is the center media display. This is located at a lowest position than we would like, causing us to divert our eyes too much from what is really important, the road. On the other hand, the Citroën C3 also integrates the controls of the climate control between the menus of the same. If we have the navigator we have to click on the air conditioning menu surface and click on the screen again to adjust the system. To return to the browser we would have to press the screen again. Something as simple as changing the temperature of the weather by one degree and returning to the browser makes us press the screen three or four times, which, being touch forces us to look at it.

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One of the peculiarities of the Citroën C3 is its ConnectedCam camera which is located in the interior mirror. To use it, we must have an application downloaded on our Smartphone and synchronize the car with our device. Whenever we want take a snapshot we just have to touch the camera button, while if we want to make a recording we have to press that same button for a few seconds. The best thing about this Citroën ConnectedCam is that in case of accident makes a recording by itself, saving the 30 seconds before the crash and the 60 seconds after. Something that can avoid many discussions when it comes to knowing who was to blame for the incident.

Regarding the general qualities, we find practically no soft materials beyond the door armrests. However, the general impression is that the materials used and their settings are correct for a car in this segment. We also think it's good that the French brand hasn't overused piano black, which is so fashionable lately and so dirty.

Mechanical range of the Citroën C3

The offer of mechanics available in this Citroën C3 goes through gasoline, diesel and one LPG engines. In gasoline we have the 1.2 Pure Tech atmospheric three-cylinder in versions of 68 and 82 hp, in addition to the same block but with turbo supercharging that yields 110 hp. The latter is also available with a six-speed automatic transmission, being the only automatic version available at the moment. The diesel range is satisfied with two versions of 1.600 cc, one with 75 CV and the other with 99. There is also a gasoline engine adapted to LPG with 82 hp. All manual transmissions are five-speed.

1.6 BlueHDi 100 99 hp with Stop&Start

Our unit uses version diesel more powerful, a 1.6 BlueHDi 100 with four cylinders with supercharging, which develops 99 CV at 3.750 rpm and a maximum torque of 254 Nm to 1.750. The approved features of this version are 0 to 100 km/h in 10,6 seconds and a top speed of 185 km/h. As for consumption, declares an average cost of 3,7 l/100 km.

Comfortable, although too soft in certain situations

The time has come to see how this 3 hp diesel Citroën C99 in Shine finish feels and what it conveys to us. Its natural habitat is the city. The new C3 has a design very focused on the new urban style fashions and the new society, proof of this is its ConnectedCam.

By behavior also feels better in the city. Their soft suspension and soft seats they make it a comfortable car for this terrain. The same happens with the assistance of its address, being this very large, and its reduced turning radius; as well as for the soft touch of its pedals. In addition, it is an easy car to park due to its small turning radius, also helping us with its reversing camera and parking sensors.

As we have already mentioned, where least comfortable makes us feel is on twisty roads. The advantages offered by its soft seats, suspension and steering mean that we are not so comfortable in curved areas. The body tilts and the little grip of the seats make us lose comfort even if we do not circulate at high rates. The direction does not transmit information to us and its low weight, together with its low precision, takes away some confidence.

By highway, despite the fact that it is a rather urban car, almost all the inconveniences of driving on winding roads become advantages again. The suspensions and the softness of the sidewalks allow us to circulate quite relaxed at legal rates. It is a car with correct soundproofing, although it is not one of the best in the segment.

Speaking of your 1.6 hp 99 engine with a 5-speed manual transmission, we must say that this is somewhat noisy at low speed, but once we exceed approximately 50 km/h we forget about it. The developments of the change are long, which is fine to reduce consumption but, in this case, the jump between gears is too long. That is why sometimes it gives us the feeling of having less power than declared. In any case, at about 2.500 rpm it is more cheerful and respond much better. The shift lever travels are also too long.

great saver

Regarding the consumptions, is one of the highlights of this car, or at least this 1.6 diesel version. In dual carriageway, at legal rates, it is easy to see figures below 5 liters. We have registered 4,8 l / 100 at speeds of 120 km/h. Nor is it a car that triggers this data when "agile" driving is practiced or when driving a lot in the city, since we have not exceeded 5,5 liters. At the end of our test the computer in the instrument cluster marked a number of 5,1 liters.

Conclusions

The Citroën C3 is an urban car that will stand out for its exterior and interior design, quite different from the rest of the market. Depending on the use that we are going to give it, it could be a comfortable or uncomfortable vehicle, as we have seen in the previous section, being recommended if we do not usually drive on twisty roads. On the other hand, the consumption contents of this version are appreciated. The unit price tested is 21.900 euros, although with the promotional discount of the moment it remains in 20.700 €.

Equipment of the Citroën C3

Live

• 6 airbags
• Hill Assist (except 1.2 PureTech 68 hp engine)
• Lane departure warning
• Fatigue detector
• Recognition of maximum speed signs
• Height and depth adjustable steering wheel
• Speed ​​governor and limiter
• Driver's seat with height adjustment
• Asymmetric 2-part folding rear seats
• 12 volt socket
• On-board computer
• Anti-puncture kit

Feel

• Fog lights
• Air Conditioning
• bluetooth radio with usb
• Electric and heated exterior mirrors
• LED daytime running lights
• Wheel arches with protection in black

Business

• Automatic climate control
• Touch screen of 7 inches
• Mirror screen
• Citroen Connect Nav

Shine

• Two-tone bodywork
• airbump
• 16-inch aluminum wheels
• Automatic front and rear electric windows
• Citroen Connect Radio
• Citroen Connect box
• Anti-glare interior mirror
• Automatic lights
• Rain Sensor
• rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Leather steering wheel
• Darkened rear windows

Citroën C3 Prices

Editor's opinion

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