New C1 - Citroen's good citizen gains extra sparkle

PARIS – November 3, 2008: The nimble, dynamic and ingenious C1 is easy to live with and a practical all-round performer. The city car's innovative compact design, economy and environmental respect underline Citroën’s creative approach. The C1 earned the highest mark in the “essential car” category in a 2008 survey conducted by JD Power and L’Automobile Magazine on customer satisfaction in France.

Since launch in June 2005, Citroën has sold 310,000 C1s worldwide. The Marque is taking advantage of the years’ end to unveil an upgraded version of its popular city car. The new model keeps all the assets that made the original such a success – compact, appealing and playful body styling, excellent roadholding, uncompromising safety and impressive quality levels – while gaining a redesigned, more expressive front end. Fuel consumption and emissions remain outstanding. The 68 bhp 1.0i petrol model equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox consumes just 4.5 l/100 km over a combined cycle, emitting a mere 106 g/km of CO2.

Spirited and refined styling
The redesigned C1 is set for launch in November. The styling upgrade enhances the car’s cheerful, curvaceous looks with several changes to the front end, including stronger bumper outlines that underline the C1’s get-up-and-go spirit. Citroën has made several changes inside, notably in terms of trim and interior design scheme. The C1 is now available, depending on the market, with a third, particularly refined trim level that adds to the car's seductive powers.

Economical and environmental prowess
The C1 is fitted with high-performance engines that make it equally at home in the city or out on the open road. Combined with the light weight of the C1, these powerplants also ensure low fuel consumption. The 68 bhp 1.0i petrol model equipped with a 5-speed gearbox is an environmental benchmark, consuming a miserly 4.5 l/100 km over a combined cycle and emitting just 106 g/km of CO2.

The upgraded C1 retains all of the strong points that made it a success, namely excellent road manners, top-level safety, compact proportions for city driving and low retail price and running costs.

More sparkling and refined styling

Like the original model, the new C1 is part of Citroën’s strategy to market a range of compact vehicles with different styles and concepts. This is why the revamped model remains available in two body styles:

a 3-door version for people who mainly used the front seats,

a 5-door model to make life more practical for four passengers.

Singular body styling
The C1’s restyled front end gives it more vitality and punch. The new bumper, larger and more curvaceous, confers a snappy, energetic look and a touch of elegance. From the second trim level, the new model sports a chrome strip that highlights the curves of the bumper and confirms the vivacious, contemporary feel. The new C1’s revitalised look is further enhanced by new wheel embellishers with more emphatic and sculptural lines.

The three- and five-door versions also retain the innovative transparent styling feature at the rear. Designed to be as big as possible, the all-glass tailgate is framed by harmonious crystal and anthracite lights that merge naturally with the bumper.

Depending on the country, the new C1 ships with two new body colours, Mica grey and Electra blue, rounding out the range of paint options.

Attractive interior design
Several upgrades have also been made to the C1 cabin, particularly in terms of the interior design scheme. Two new fabric trims in dominant dark blue and Bordeaux red lend vitality and elegance to the cabin. Depending on the market, a third trim level, in leather and alcantara, is now available. This interior scheme tops up the existing offer and enhances onboard sophistication. The new trim level also features a leather steering wheel and gearstick knob, together with gloss black surrounds for the speedometer, rev counter, air vents and door handles. Air conditioning, alloy wheels and a CD audio system are fitted as standard on this trim level.

The barrel-shaped display below the central console features new screen-printing for more clarity and modernity. This upgrade applies to all models in the range. In other changes, boot access has been optimised through greater clearance for the rear parcel shelf.

Boundless creativity

Perfectly proportioned for city life
At 3.43 m long, 1.63 m wide and 1.47 m high, the C1 is perfectly proportioned for the city. Considering these exterior dimensions, the interior is impressively roomy, with plenty of space for four passengers. A the front, elbow room of 1.38 m and head room of 0.87 m enhance the well-being of occupants. Rear passengers are treated to generous leg room and 0.84 m head room. The C1 houses some 12 stowage compartments, fitted in the dashboard, central console and doors. All of them keep objects exactly where drivers and passengers want them to be.

Exemplary road manners
The C1 boasts impeccable road manners and is as pleasant to drive in the country as in town. Its running gear provides excellent roadholding and contributes effectively to active security. Other top-level safety features include ventilated front brake discs, ABS, EBD and cornering stability control (CSC), together with standard-fit driver and passenger airbags from the first trim level.

Efficient engines that respect the environment
To respond to the diverse needs of its customers, the C1 is available in petrol and diesel versions, mated to an automatic gearbox or a SensoDrive 5-speed automated manual. This kind of complete offering remains rare in the city car segment.

The HDi 55 diesel unit develops 40 kW at 4,000 rpm and torque of 130 Nm at 1,750 rpm. It boasts impressive combined-cycle fuel consumption of 4.1 l/100 km and emits just 109 g/km of CO2. The HDi 55 is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The 68 hp 1.0i petrol engine is a flexible performer offering enthusiastic, linear acceleration. It generates power of 50 kW at 6,000 rpm and 93 Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm. This unit boasts lower fuel consumption – 4.5 l/100 km over a combined cycle – and lower CO2 emissions, at just 106 g/km for the 5-speed manual version and 107 g/km for the 5-speed SensoDrive model.

Low retail price and running costs
The C1 is attractively priced and inexpensive to run, with low fuel consumption and reasonable maintenance costs (service frequency is 30,000 km for the diesel). During development, major focus was placed on low-speed impact to protect vehicle parts and keep repair times to a minimum.