'C' into the future

By DAVID LINKLATER

If you doubt Citroen's assertion that future models will revive its radical styling roots, consider the C3 hatchback launched this week in New Zealand. Inspiration has clearly come from the classic 2CV, especially in the deep grille, wide-set headlamps and arched roofline. But it's not self-consciously retro like the new Volkswagen Beetle or BMW's Mini - instead, it's radical, refreshing and very contemporary. It's also arguably the best looking supermini on the road.

Still not sure about Citroen? Then take a look at what this happy-looking little hatch will morph into next year: the C3 Pluriel looks like a show-stopping concept car, but that's only half-right. The sexy snail was unveiled at this week's Paris Motor Show, but in final production form. It's scheduled to go on sale around this time next year.

The standard C3 five-door features an excess of headroom and the option of a Deux Chevaux-style full-length folding sunroof. The C3 Pluriel is a two-door affair with a folding sunroof, folding roof or no roof at all.

Pluriel is billed as five cars in one. In "Saloon" mode the large sunroof can be set to any one of eight different positions, while the absence of centre pillars means that the four electric windows can be lowered to create an open-sided vehicle - the "Panoramic". The sunroof and rear window can then be retracted under the boot floor to create the "Cabriolet".

However, for no-compromise open-top motoring, the side pillars can be removed in seconds, transforming the car into the "Spider". In its final guise, the bootlid can be opened downwards and the rear seats folded flat to create the "Pickup", with a flat load-space for long or awkwardly shaped objects. Strengthened seatbacks and headrests are fitted to provide similar occupant protection to the C3 five-door in a rollover.

Like Pluriel, underneath the cute curves the standard C3 is quite conventional. The Kiwi line-up offers two petrol engines and strut/torsion beam suspension. High-tech, self-levelling suspension is reserved for the more expensive C5.

Not that the C3 is especially cheap. Citroen New Zealand has launched the car in two variants, a modestly powered 54kW 1.4-litre SX at $26,990 and the flagship 80kW 1.6 SX at $32,990. A new HDi turbo diesel has been given the all-clear for our high-sulphur fuel and could be in the local line-up.

A four-speed adaptive automatic gearbox with sequential shift mode is a $2000 option on the 1.4 petrol, while the 1.6 comes as standard with the Sensodrive robotised clutch. It's essentially Citroen's version of the Alfa Romeo Selespeed system, retaining a conventional manual gearbox but with automatic operation of the clutch. The driver changes gears using either the gear-lever or racing-style paddles on the steering column.

So, prettiness comes at a price. Citroen New Zealand says the C3 leads the supermini class in safety specification, while acknowledging there's still a premium to pay for the car.

Among the car's European competition, only the $1000-cheaper Renault Clio matches the Citroen's combination of anti-lock braking, four airbags and five lap-sash seatbelts.

Standard equipment for C3 includes a digital dashboard, air conditioning, CD player and electric mirrors. The SX automatic gets a slightly higher specification than the manual, with 15-inch wheels (manual, 14-inch), climate control and rain-sensitive wipers.

The SX Sensodrive model features 15-inch alloys, upgraded velour trim, foglights and a rear parking sensor (a special-order option on the other models).

Impressive, but it all looks even more expensive compared with the value benchmark in the class, the Honda Jazz. It lacks the C3's side airbags and lap-sash centre-rear belt, but a pricetag that's $6500 cheaper is certainly compensation.

"The Jazz is a fantastic product," says Citroen New Zealand general manager Warren Horn. "But we can't compete on price. Honda wants to sell hundreds of Jazz models - we only want to sell about 15 C3s per month. We also believe that there are buyers out there who don't want a Japanese car."

Despite the modest sales targets, C3 will play a significant role in boosting Citroen's Kiwi presence to one per cent of total new-car volume - the target set by the factory for emerging markets.

Unusually, Citroen sells only 30 per cent of its cars in Auckland, compared with the European brand average of 56 per cent and the industry standard of 50 per cent. So, Citroen's challenge is the City of Sails - and it's hoping the C3 will capture the imagination of urban buyers.

More new Citroens bound for New Zealand include an automatic Picasso next April and the C4 Xsara replacement in August 2004.