Citroen C2 1.4-LITRE PETROL RANGE
Citroens C2 1.4-Litre Offers A Big Car Feel But Small Car Prices. Andy Enright Reports
Citroen have come a long way in the past few years. Once an exemplar of Gallic sophistication, the company went through an undistinguished spell in the eighties before reinventing itself in the nineties as a purveyor of cars that were among the best value in class. Now their ambitions are a little broader, the company looking to not only retain the value but to also boost the quality. The Citroen C2 shows that they may succeed with this approach and the 1.
4-litre petrol models are bound to prove popular.
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Prices kick off at just £8,795 for the Design version, £9,495 for the Furio and £9,695 for the SX. These seem like reasonable levels given the healthy equipment quota offered with all the models. The urban jungle is where the C2 feels most at home, although the 1.4-litre engine endows the car with the legs to undertake longer journeys.
A top speed of 105mph means that typical motorway cruising speeds arent going to leave you looking like a shell shock victim after an hour behind the wheel although acceleration isnt that brisk, youll need 13.9 seconds to hit 60mph. Fuel economy is predictably good, the C2 averaging 35mpg around town, 57.6mpg on a long run with an overall combined fuel figure of 47mpg.
Its worth calculating how many miles you drive per year and how many years you plan to own the car before plumping for a pricier diesel version. Chances are the C2 1.4 model will work out as the more economical all-round proposition. The downside of a small petrol engine is that it can feel a little weedy on long inclines and you may need stir the gearbox a bit in order to maintain progress, although this is no great hardship though.
Although prices may not be as cheap as cars like the
Fiat Panda and the
Daihatsu Charade, the C2 1.4 certainly has a bigger and better engine than these models offer and also has those sought after sporty looks. Sit inside a C2 and youre not constantly reminded of your penny-pinching ways. It feels cheeky, modern and agreeably sophisticated.
The Design has a CD stereo, electric front windows and power steering while the SX adds air conditioning, drivers
seat height adjustment and front lateral airbags as well as clever sliding and folding rear seats. The Furio isnt quite as well appointed as the SX but it does feature VTS-lookalike sills and spoilers, making it a very attractive choice for the younger driver who still wants to cut a dash but doesnt fancy being taken to the cleaners by their insurance broker.
"The Sensotronic sequential gearbox makes snicking up and down the ratios great fun"
Although it shares its chassis, drivetrains and a number of body and interior parts with the C3, dont think of this car as merely a scaled down version of Citroens spherical supermini. The styling marks a different direction with a C3-style bulbous nose allied to a far edgier, angular back end. Although to some it might look like the results of two design studies fused at the door pillars, its certainly distinctive. The side windows adopt a staggered line while the rear haunches blister out in a purposeful fashion.
Whichever trim level you opt for, youll find a car that maximises its use of available space very effectively. Despite being even shorter than a Saxo, its easily able to seat four in comfort. Lessons have been learned from the reception given to the C3 interior and the C2 adopts many of the funkier styling touches such as the ventilation system and the bar rev counter and introduces a few of its own. Interior materials quality has been improved where possible and theres a wide range of trim choices from sober monotones right up to the most extrovert two-tone designs.
The steering adjusts for rake and reach in all versions while plusher trims also get a height adjustable seat. Few will have any cause for complaint given the amount of space in the front of the cabin as it feels no smaller than the C3, a car already renowned for its spaciousness. Like the C3, the C2 gets a can holder ahead of the gear lever as well as generously proportioned door bins that can accommodate a 500ml bottle of pop. Access to the rear isnt bad and
Citroen have displayed admirable pragmatism in failing to pretend that the C2 is anything other than a four seater.
So many small cars cram three belts in across the back and end up trussing occupants up like a leg of lamb but the two rear seats of the C2 are well sculpted and respectable in terms of knee and shoulder room although taller passengers may feel the sloping roof impinges on their coif. Opt for upspec models and the rear seats individually slide, recline, fold and tumble. This allows the owner to optimise luggage or passenger space by sliding the seats on runners but in order to fold the rear seats fully flat, the front ones need to be run a long way forward, precluding this possibility for long legged drivers and front passengers. All versions nevertheless get a tailgate that splits into two sections to ease loading in tight spots.
With a number of safety features that include twin front and side airbags, ABS brakes and power assisted steering across the range, the C2 looks a decent buy. Sophisticated electronics functions like automatic wipers and headlamps, rear parking sensors and folding rear mirrors are also be available if youre prepared to dip into the wallet. Although the styling may divide opinion and the lack of three rear seats may strike it off the list of some, the C2 1.4-litre model is a class act.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Citroen C2 1.4-litre range
PRICES: £8,795-£9,495 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 3
CO2 EMISSIONS: 141g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60 13.9s Top Speed 105mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 37.1mpg (extra urban) 57.6mpg (combined) 47.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/wheelbase 3660/2310mm
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