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2018 Citroen C3 Shine Launch Review

Rob Fraser
2018 Citroen C3 Shine

Citroen C3 Launch Overview

Citroen has a long and varied history in Australia. Although previously successful, carrying the premium European cachet, over the last few years the brand has seemed to drift away to almost nothing. This was a combination of both local issues and financial pressures from the parent company.

Enter a new Australian distributor, Inchcape, who has successfully brought Subaru to Australia for years, and we have seen dramatic turnaround.

Add to the renewed enthusiasm, a parent company that has invested heavily into new product line and you have the foundations for a strong return in the market.

This all leads me to the Citroen C3 Launch. The C3 is an all new vehicle based on a multi-use platform from the PSA group.

The Citroen C3 is extremely customisable even though there is one model, one engine transmission combination and one drivetrain.

Citroen C3 External

Citroen has managed to build a personality into the exterior design of the C3. It looks like fun.

The bonnet with the new double chevron grill sits high and proud. It looks bold and like it is smiling as well. This carries through a high waistline to the well styled rear three quarter section.

The typical double layer headlight design continues the tall and proud look. It’s like a small cocky fox terroir that walks proud amongst the taller dogs at the dog park.

C3 has height-adjustable halogen headlights, LED Daytime Running Lights and front fog lights.

Style and looks are a purely subjective thing, but to my eyes the C3 doesn’t have a bad side. It looks great from any angle.

Some standout external features include:

Citroen C3 Internal

The first car we jumped in had the optional ‘Hype Colorado Interior’ that has what I call brown highlights. Now normally I am turned off immediately by brown interiors, but this colour combination was appealing.

As I always do in any car, I slid the driver seat all the way back and jumped in.

Entry between the steering wheel and ‘B’ pillar is a little tight for those larger bodied versions such as myself, but once inside there is absolutely plenty of room.

There is something about the C3 that immediately makes you feel comfortable inside. The seats, manually adjustable, were overall supportive and comfortable although they had no additional lumbar support adjustment.

The steering wheel has a two toned bezel, slightly squared off at the bottom. It is thick rimmed, leather and provides great feel for the driving experience. The large centre hub is unusual design, but it seems to work. All the audio controls are situated on the spokes as well.

In front of the driver is a large clear dash, with large outside dials, a two tiered central section, the top section for fuel and temperature etc. and the lower section for a MFD. This is good, clear design that aids functionality.

One thing to note, and it is purely a personal objection, is the multi-use stalk for the cruise control. It is well hidden by the steering wheel spokes, seems overly complicated and takes a long while to get used to.

However having said that it features a brilliant speed design recognition system that asks you if you want to keep the cruise control to the changing speed limits.

The centre console stack is dominated by the 7 inch touch screen that houses all the controls. This leads to a somewhat bare lower console area. The jury is mixed as to whether having some buttons is a good thing or not.

All round visibility is pretty good. The bugbear of modern cars, the ‘A’ pillar that sometimes conceals complete cars, isn’t too bad on the C3.

As I mentioned the first car we sat in had the optional Colorado two tone interior. This incorporated soft touch highlights along the dash, around the steering wheel and other selected places.

Other than that the interior materials are a little harsh where you lean your elbows on like door trims etc.

Also there is no centre console bin for storage. The dash is hard plastic as well. It looks co-ordinated, but at odds with the overall ambience of the vehicles.

Both front seat occupants have more than enough head, leg, shoulder feet room. The C3 is surprisingly roomy. I must admit I forgot to sit in the back seat, so I can’t comment, but note that with the front seats all the way back there isn’t much knee room for rear passengers.

Somehow I feel that the buyers of this vehicle are mainly two occupants with occasional passengers, and the drivers wouldn’t in general be larger than the average bear as I am.

The rear seats fold in a 50/50 configuration, but not flat unfortunately. Boot space is again adequate for a couple for a weekend away or an extended holiday.

The rear hatch opens wide but will catch taller drivers if they are unaware.

Boot capacity is between 300L and with the seats folded and removable parcel shelf 900L.

Citroen C3 Standard Features

Offered in one highly specified variant, the all-new C3 will feature as standard:

The Citroen C3 will also feature a number of no-cost options including:

Further customisation is available via six options including;

Citroen C3 Engine and Drivetrain

One of the most significant improvements for the all-new C3 is the adoption of the turbocharged 1.2-litre PureTech e-THP three-cylinder engine.

This engine produces power of 81kW @ 5500rpm and torque of 205Nm @ 1500rpm. This is matched to the new electronically-controlled, six-speed automatic gearbox designed and developed in conjunction with Aisin.

With a combined fuel efficiency of 4.9 litres/100km and emissions as low as 110g/km, the all-new C3 is a frugal conveyance, thanks in part to its innovative engine ‘Stop & Start’ technology.

Citroen C3 – What is it like to drive?

The immediate thought arrived at by just reading the power and torque figures is that it will be sluggish. This is far from the truth. The little three cylinder matched to the clever AISIN six speed box, provides more than enough for normal driving conditions.

The key here is the driveability of the car, which underlines the total design philosophy. It is smooth, quiet, functional and zippy enough for inner-city driving. We also had a few stints on the freeway and didn’t feel wanting at all.

Don’t mistake it for a hot hatch, but you won’t be feeling that the engine is letting you down in the driving experience.

That is the key, the Citroen C3 provides an engaging driving experience. It allows the driver to feel part of the car with great feedback through the steering wheel, little road noise or rumble from the tyres and enough feel to stay connected.

I would surmise that the C3 would spend most of its life buzzing around inner-city streets with the occasional foray to the wider world for a weekend. For this it is perfectly designed.

I actually really enjoyed the test drive.

Citroen C3 Standard Dimensions

The Citroen C3 has an

Citroen C3 Safety

The Citroen C3 has achieved a 4 star ANCAP safety rating. Now before all you Ralph Naders get on your high horse, let’s just analyse what let it down and what Citroen is doing to fix it.

Let’s state up front that had it been released late last year it would have achieved a 5 star rating probably. This year 2018, ANCAP has introduced the requirement for AEB for its maximum rating.

So all those cars that had a 5 star rating last year, and don’t have AEB (autonomous emergency braking) would get a four star rating this year.

Citroen is aware of the issue and working to fix it ASAP. The C3 is still a very safe vehicle with some segment exclusive features as well.

Let’s look at what the C3 does have.

Citroen C3 Conclusion

Citroen is back in business. The Citroen C3 is a clever design that fit for purpose is spot on. Drivers that simply want transport from A –B, please look elsewhere.

Drivers that want their transport to be a reflection of themselves and their personality, or in fact want the car to have its own personality, please form the queue to the left.

The Citroen C3 does what it is designed to do with style.

What’s Good:

What’s Not:

Model – Citroen C3 Shine

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