Budgeting is no longer spoken in hushed whispers in these days of rising interest rates, fuel price fluctuations and an ever-increasing cost of living. As a result, car buyers are becoming increasingly insistent on getting value for their dwindling money. To a large extent, the new Citroen C3 provides the value customers seek.
The Citroën C3 base model in the new range, the 1.2 Feel, packs a hefty punch in providing exceptional value for its R229 900 price tag and, unlike some budget specials, feels and behaves like a class act.
Unmistakably Citroën design
Citroën claims that their car was designed collaboratively by Citroën's designers and product development engineers. They actively engaged with various target customer groups to gain deep insights into their desires and preferences for a hatchback. By listening to their feedback, Citroën aimed to comprehensively comprehend the needs and expectations of these specific customer segments.
The result, it says, combines attributes such as affordability, and style, with unique features and experiences to make life on board and behind the wheel as comfortable and rewarding as possible.
The test driving experience strongly corroborated this fact, despite the 1.2-litre engine occasionally producing a sound reminiscent of an energetic sewing machine. However, it effortlessly accelerated beyond legal limits at highway speeds, posing a risk for inattentive drivers.
Bearing in mind much of the vehicle’s life would be within city environs, the C3 comes with a specially tuned steering and turning circle to make it agile at low speeds and in heavy urban traffic where drivers may be required to make frequent lane changes or sudden manoeuvres to anticipate local traffic flows.
This ability also helps with safer and more responsive cornering on twisty roads.
Suspension settings are also tuned to minimise body roll for more robust road holding and to help smooth out roughness and ruts.
The all-new C3 is unmistakably Citroën in its DNA, with the traditional chevrons located at the centre of the grille where it stands alone, separated from the two horizontal chrome bars extending towards the daytime running lamps on either side of the car.
The wide C-pillar adds verticality and strength to the body, while neat rear quarter windows add light and space for passengers inside.
Interior design and infotainment
The horizontal dashboard gives an impression of space and width in the passenger compartment, while the fully adjustable seating allows for the perfect driving position. Additionally, even though it is a budget car, comfortable high-density foam embodying the Citroen Advanced Comfort means time in the car is a pleasure, even over long distances.
Furthermore, the front door pockets can hold a 1-litre bottle of water, and the rear door pockets have 1-litre pockets. Other features include a glovebox, centre console, and 2-litre front door pockets. Additionally, the C3 boasts rear-and-front cupholders, slots for smartphone storage across the instrument panel and a neat ‘pencil tray’ sitting between IP sections for keeping small objects in easy reach.
The C3 is smartphone friendly, and the latest technology ensures families can stay seamlessly connected, entertained and powered up.
Up front is a 10-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth enabling Mirror Screen technology to duplicate functions of a wirelessly connected smartphone through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the driver gets a new 7-inch colour TFT cluster screen with up to six modes for displaying vehicle information, as well as options to monitor trip computer, fuel consumption and the like.
Engine configuration and performance
The new C3's power comes from a PURETECH 1,2-litre naturally aspirated engine, offering 61 kW at 5 750 r/min and 115 Nm of torque at 3 750 r/min driving the front wheels through a 5-speed manual shifter.
Cost of Ownership
On the test route, average fuel consumption was 5,7 l/100 km and, taking all factors into account, including monthly repayments, insurance and the 2-year/30 000 service plan, a buyer could expect a total cost of ownership under the R4 km on a 48-month lease with a 40% residual.
This cost would drop even further in a ‘second car’ role doing the school run and shopping.
Wrapping up
The petite C3 delivered an exceptional and enthusiastic performance, reigniting a delightful sense of driving pleasure. However, adding a rear window wiper or a heated rear screen would be beneficial and enhance its practicality, especially during chilly Highveld mornings. I would willingly trade power windows for electrically operated side mirrors.
