Enzo Ferrari once decreed that no decent
car could ever be designed by a
committee. In the world of supercars
that may well be the case, but lower
down the food chain a collaborative
effort has much to commend it.
Take the Citroën C1. Revealed at the
2005 Geneva motor show, it was the
product of collaboration between
Citroën, Peugeot and Toyota. All that
automotive know-how paid dividends,
delivering to the market a car that
epitomises the virtues of a supermini,
namely a low purchase price, exceptional
practicality and cuteness.
The Citroën C1 rolls off the same
production line in the Czech Republic as
the Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo. Line up
the three cars and the similarities are
obvious. The Peugeot may have different
front and rear lights and a revised
bonnet, but squint a little and the cars
are identical.
Toyota’s attempt at disguise is barely
more extensive, smaller lights and a
more pronounced flare on the rear
wheel arch arguably make the car look a
little cuter.
Looks aside, the C1’s appeal is more
obvious when it’s time to consider the
finances, since it undercuts the
competition by around £500 when new,
then Citroën adds a generous discount,
which makes the car look even more
attractive. The bad news for second-hand
buyers is that on the used car market
this discount is eroded and you’ll pay
barely less for a used C1 than for a 107
or Aygo.
But don’t let this put you off because
the C1 has other things to recommend it.
Its strong personality makes it the kind
of car you could well end up being
addicted to. The free-revving 1 litre
68bhp petrol engine boasts only three
cylinders but is positively spaniel-like
in its eagerness to please. While the
larger 1.4 litre diesel option may be
down on power and revs, it produces more
torque that endows it with a languid
pulling power that belies its mere
55bhp.
With fuel prices now firmly set at more
than £1 a litre, the C1’s superb economy
becomes a major attraction, the 1 litre
petrol returning in excess of 60mpg in
mixed motoring and the diesel achieving
almost 70mpg.
Sit inside the C1 and you’ll doubtless
be impressed with the space on offer. At
a mere 3.43 metres in length it may slip
into the tightest available space, yet
you’re unlikely ever to feel pinched for
accommodation.
Although the C1 is clearly built to a
budget, thanks to clever design the use
of painted-metal surfaces in the cabin
seem stylish rather than skimpy. There
are two trim levels to choose from: the
entry-level Vibe lacks electric windows,
central locking and alloy wheels but
scores points for the inclusion of a
passenger airbag, antilock braking and
an audio system including a CD player.
For about £300 more, a used example of
the higher-spec Rhythm model includes
side airbags, electric front windows,
remote central locking, a rev counter,
rear headrests and split-folding rear
seats. Externally you get side rubbing
strips to protect the car’s bodywork,
and body-coloured mirrors and door
handles. Admittedly there is no
air-conditioning or alloy wheels, but to
me the Rhythm looks like the better
second-hand buy.
On the road the C1 drives nicely, the
slightly heavier diesel coping
particularly well with rough surfaces.
The buzzy three-cylinder petrol motor
makes a fair bit of noise, but the sound
is strangely satisfying, although
probably not that easy to live with on
longer journeys. Grip from the skinny
tyres is also good, set as they are at
the very corners of the car.
Unlike its siblings from Peugeot and
Toyota, the C1 doesn’t offer an
automatic option, and makes do with a
five-speed manual gearbox. But its
gear change is light and easy, and C1
owners have few complaints, its fifth
ratio in particular being usefully long
for relaxed cruising.
Born of mixed parentage, the Citroën C1
has proven that diverse genes can
produce something far more robust and
exciting than many would imagine
possible.
