Citroën recently updated its C1 and I recently spent the weekend with the Seduction model. I like the car. I really do. But only 22 units were sold last month. A modest amount when you compare it with the 165 Toyota Aygos sold. Even though this is a tough segment, I’ve spent enough time with the C1 to have developed some hope that it will make significant inroads.
Styling and specification
The first thing you notice about the refreshed C1 is the new bumper that looks a little like that of the latest Kia Picanto. The front is now less cute and rather more aggressive than before. On the Seduction model that I sampled, the nose also plays host to LED daytime running lights. The rear, with its all-glass tailgate, retains the general look of the outgoing model. It’s a quirky design that lends a hint of masculinity to the C1. Even so, the build quality still feels less substantial than that of some of its peers.
Once inside, I have to admit that the first thing that jumps out at you is the cheap quality of the plastics. The seats are relatively comfortable, but the steering wheel only has rake adjustment. Speaking of which, when you try to adjust the steering wheel, it drops with a heavy thud into your lap and is quite heavy to keep in the place that you want it to be.
Standard safety and comfort features on this particular model include ABS with EBD, dual front and side airbags, central locking, electric windows up front, 50/50 split rear seats, air-conditioning, two cup holders and a radio/CD player with an auxiliary input.
Dimensions and capacities
Measuring just 3 440 mm in length, 1 630 mm in width, 1 465 in height and with a wheelbase of 2 340 mm, the C1 is about as compact as cars come (except for the Smart ForTwo car, of course) making it a breeze to park. It has seating for four people and the Seduction model comes with outer rear Isofix child seat anchorages as standard. Behind the back seats there is a meagre 139 dm3 of luggage space. A full-size spare wheel is standard. With a 35 litre fuel tank and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 4,3 litres/100 km, drivers can expect about 800 km of driving before you need to fill up again.
On the road
Let’s get the bad parts out of the way first. The ride, while not unsettling, feels slightly jittery when travelling at highway speeds and over uneven surfaces. However, going over humps and bumps was done seamlessly as the recalibrated shock absorbers soaked up the obstacles with ease. In addition, the steering is light and sometimes you aren’t too sure of what the front wheels are doing. Despite these quirks, the C1 is still an enjoyable little car to pilot around town.
Power is provided by a 1,0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that delivers a humble 50 kW of power. It may not provide quick acceleration times, but its three-cylinder thrum and revvy nature means it has a real smile factor going for it. Getting the most out of this engine requires some stirring of the five-speed manual gearbox, and going uphill takes some forward planning so that you’re in the correct gear, but the C1 is most at home around town. Play with first and second to get the revs to where you want it to be and you’ll find that zipping in and out of traffic is both easy and fun. The pedals feel a bit small, but seeing as this car is generallly aimed at younger (and therefore smaller-statured) car buyers, it should be fine.
A few other members of the car team have spent some time behind the wheel of the C1 and opinion is very much divided. Some simply couldn’t warm to it while others had a blast, with one even describing the engine as sounding like a “baby V6”.
Summary
The question has come up a few times: who would buy this C1 over something like the Ford Figo, Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Toyota Etios and even the Renault Sandero? It’s too small, offers little practicality and doesn’t feel as solidly built (and I use this term rather loosely in some cases) as the cars mentioned above. But the appeal of this is not space and practicality. These aforementioned cars are better suited to families who need the space and bigger car. The appeal of the C1 and its counterparts (Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Spark, Kia Picanto, Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107 and Suzuki Alto) is the fact that it’s a quirky and compact city car. It’s aimed at those city slickers who do not necessarily need the added space, but rather want a high-spec car that’s more suited to town driving. Also, it’s something that looks a little different from the norm, so it’s also an image statement. And not only is the engine is a hoot, but it’s economical, too. But the C1 faces stiff competition from its nearest rivals, especially the much-favoured i10 and Picanto. I live in hope that people see the charm of the C1.
Specifications*
Model: Citroën C1 Seduction (Attraction)
Engine: 1,0-litre, three-cylinder petrol
Power: 50 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 93 N.m at 3 600 r/min
Fuel consumption: 4,3 litres/100 km
CO2: 99 g/km
Top speed: 160 km/h
0-100 km: 13,5 seconds
Price: R120 600 (R99 900)
Optional service plan: 4 year/60 000 km
Service intervals: 1 year/10 000 km
*Manufacturer’s claim
For a full list of features and technical information, you can download the specification sheet by clicking on the documents tab in the top right hand corner of the image block.
