Building on its growing supermini sales, Citroën is continuing to expand the range. Following the 2005 market debuts of the C1 and C3 HDi 110 DPFS, and the styling and equipment upgrades on the C2, C3 and C3 Pluriel, Citroën is now launching, from early 2006 depending on the country, the C3 1.6i 16V mated to an automatic gearbox.

In Europe, the supermini segment accounts for almost 30% of total sales. Building on its varied range, Citroën is becoming an increasingly important player, with market share of 7.7% in 2005.

A range of superminis designed to meet varying needs

Since 2002, Citroën has launched four new vehicles of different concepts and styling on the supermini segment:

C3                                                   March 2002

C3 Pluriel                                       May 2003

C2                                                   September 2003

C1                                                   June 2005

These complementary vehicles meet the many and varied requirements of supermini buyers.

C1: positioned at the entry-level of its segment through its limited size and keen pricing. Available in 3- and 5-door versions, it features all the essential vehicle functions with no trade-offs, particularly in terms of safety.

The C2, also a 3-door saloon, is positioned at the heart of the supermini segment. The C2 combines the dynamic styling of 3-door models with compact dimensions, versatility and innovative modularity.

C3: a 5-door hatchback expressing space and comfort through its roomy architecture and strong curves. A family model positioned at the high end of the segment, the C3 boasts technology and equipment generally reserved for vehicles further up the market.

C3 Pluriel:  positioned as a 3-door hatchback at the top end of the segment, this is a car of original styling and features.

Complementary sizing

The exterior dimensions of each car are different: C1 is the easy-to-handle supermini, C2 is the modular supermini, C3 is the family hatchback, and C3 Pluriel the versatile hatchback.

However, all four models place the same emphasis on passenger comfort, since they share the same cabin length.

Different range structures

The engine range is adapted to the use of each vehicle with at least one diesel for each car:

-       moderate power and consumption for the C1, with the 68 bhp 1.0i and 55 bhp HDi,

-       a wider range with greater emphasis on petrol engines and performance for the C2, with the 1.6i 16V engine available in two versions: 110 bhp and 125 bhp,

-       a stronger focus on diesels for the C3 which, alongside the HDi 70, is also available with the 92 bhp HDi and HDi 110 DPFS as well as offering a choice of  four petrol engines,

-       and a core offering for the C3 Pluriel, which ships with a choice of two petrol engines – the 75 bhp 1.4i and the 110 bhp 1.6i 16V –  and one diesel: the HDi 70.

The same emphasis on safety

Customers set great store by safety. For this reason, all Citroën superminis rank among the leaders on their segment in terms of safety. All of them feature a reinforced structure and optimised running gear. In terms of equipment, the superminis all include ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, front airbags, and even side and curtain airbags.

The C1, C2, C3 and C3 Pluriel all received 4 stars in EuroNCAP tests.