Frankfurt debut: Citroen C3
Expect to see plenty of these on the roads in a few months, because while Citroen will no doubt continue to employ its aggressive pricing policy when it hits the showroom, it should now appeal to a wider audience thanks to some equally aggressive styling.
What's all the fuss about?
There isn't a great deal of fuss so much as a sense of 'ooh, that looks quite nice' regarding the new C3. Citroen gave us a quite comprehensive set of photographs back in June, so its form is no surprise, but we can report that in the metal the C3 is certainly a continuance of the good things Citroen's designers have been doing of late following the C3 Picasso and new DS3.
Anything that stands out?
Highlights include the 'Zenith' windscreen that stretches back into the roof for a feeling of cabin spaciousness, an interior hewn from materials in a different league to the outgoing car's (including this season's favourite trim - high gloss black) and cabin design that's altogether more pleasing to the eye. It has got more cabin and luggage space, and it's more refined, were told, but despite that it's no heavier so fuel consumption is reined in. There's a 99g/km VED tax exempt diesel version on the way, going down to 90g/km when the start/stop version arrives in 2011.
When can I buy one?
Early 2010 is all Citroen is saying for the time being, with prices pegged at the levels currently commanded for a C3. Of course, the real cost of ownership will be higher than the current cars because you'll struggle to negotiate the same sort of discount. Wait a year or so though, and this will no doubt prove one cheap and stylish supermini.
Frankfurt debut: Citroen C3 pictures
