New car model combines safety with taste(Citroën C1)

[FISH]

http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=214904

Thursday, February 16, 2006


The latest addition to the Citroën family, the Citroën C1 will soon arrive in Malta.

While the C1 has scored well in several protection and crash tests, it has a number of original design features such as the transparent tailgate and rear lights, and the 5-door model's rear doors, extending back to the lights. The engine has been said to combine "miserly economy with impressive, sprightly performance". The C1 is based on two body styles: 3-door and 5-door; two engines: one petrol 68bhp 1.0i and one diesel 54 bhp Dhi; two gearboxes: one manual and one automated SensoDrive; and two levels of trim.

The Citroën C1 is equipped with top-level safety features: ventilated discs at the front, ABS, cornering stability control to keep the car stable when it turns a corner with the brakes on, and driver and passenger airbags.

For more information contact Muscats Motors in Gzira on 2132 0064 or via

[Quickening]

FISH, you just unleashed so much news onto this place..amazing job.

[FISH]

Thanks Quickening.

[paul8488]

I've been seeing this car around, and I like it. It's very small, but looks great. Most cars this small look goofy. I've seen them listed for around 8700 euro. The only problem is there's an almost identical Peugeot 107 version... they do badge-engineering in Europe too, it seems!

[Kowalski]

Originally Posted by paul8488

I've been seeing this car around, and I like it. It's very small, but looks great. Most cars this small look goofy. I've seen them listed for around 8700 euro. The only problem is there's an almost identical Peugeot 107 version... they do badge-engineering in Europe too, it seems!

And there is also a Toyota version of it. It's called the Aygo, it's built in the same assembly plant in France, where the C1, 107 also are built and it costs 8500 Euros.

PSA-Citroen/Peugeot is all about badge engineering.

Their cars share pretty much everything. Chassis, engines, brakes, suspension (Citroen has an overcomplicated "Air Active Suspension") transmissions, poor quality (Take a look at any Satisfaction Survey), ugly looks (Citroens are often Uglier) and even the price is similar.

[paul8488]

At least all the other Peugeot and Citroen models look significantly different from one another. Most people wouldn't guess that they share anything to look at them. That's how sharing should be done. It's sad to see them lowering themselves to simple nose-cone and badge swapping. As for quality, I'll have to trust you. I'd buy one anyways... I seem to have good luck, even with crappy cars!

[Bravada]

I was suprised that no report of the triplets has been posted here yet, but Malta? First Epice from Auto Moldova, now this - you keep amazing me with the sources of your news, Fish (btw - you're doing a great job!)

The C1 is perhaps the best-looking of the trio, the Pug styling looks kinda "forced" on the 107, the front looks goofy and the (C1) rear does not seem to fit. The Aygo is boring and unimaginative. The Smartish looks of the C1 seem a perfect fit for Citroen. I can't stand the media hyping over the Aygo, not mentioning the other two.

Kowalski, I have to correct you - the Kolin plant, where all three triplets are built, is in the Czech Republic. Poland's Radomsko lost this location to the Czechs, but the Polish Toyota plant still supplies engines and transmissions for the triplets. The French Valenciennes plants builds the Yaris (again with Polish powetrains).

I think you hold many prejudices against the PSA, Kowalski. As Paul said, other than the vans and these minicars, other Citroens and Peugeots are very different. Also, contrary to Renault, PSA has made some strides forward in reliability, with the Xsara and late 306 showing impressive improvement over past French cars. What seems to bother PSA now is that they haven't quite figured out the electrics of the C5 platform, which seems to plague three of their bigger models (C5 itself, C6, Peugeot 407), and poor reliability of older petroleum engines (PSA is reluctant to update them, as they are to be replaced soon by new units co-designed with BMW). HDi diesels, on the other hand, seem to be pretty bulletproof.

Contrary to what you say, the current generation of Hydractive suspension is as simple as it gets, does not require servicing for 200,000 km I believe, and does not generate any problems unless some unqualified mechanic messes up with it.

I disagree with your comments about PSA cars being ugly. 307 and C4 are among the best-looking compacts on my list, C5 looks well to me after the redesign, C6 is just classic and both the C3 and 206 sell on looks alone. I also like the Picasso, I could agree however the nose of the 407 is questionable (sad to see it so, as 406 was a looker). The new generation of Eurovans also seem a bit overdone to me.

[asim]

I saw this on that discovery channel show..the british one (I can't remember the name now)...it seems pretty good.