A glass act

CITROEN'S latest C3 range which goes on sale in a couple of weeks has to be one of the most family-friendly cars available. It is dominated by curves ensuring plenty of head and leg space, provides loads of stowage space to keep the cabin clutter-free, has a specially-designed boot which can be separated into different sections and offers a couple of extra fittings to ensure that the back-seat children are cared for: one is that you can child-lock the rear doors from the dashboard, and the other is an optional extra mirror which is so designed to reveal all that is going on the back seat without actually taking your eyes off the road.

There is also a huge sunroof, full length and full width, a feature emphasised by a soon-to-be-seen television commercial which draws spectacular attention to the car's best feature.

Visualise a family enjoying an outing along a quiet country road. Suddenly a jet fighter is seen coming in low from behind, and when over the car, it executes a half roll. The camera swings back to the family who are seen staring wide-eyed upwards at the now grinning (and upside down) pilot through the sunroof. Some sight-seeing adventure that, and really quite fascinating.

Innovation, to say the least, is the key to the C3, a much-needed measure in today's fiercely fought supermini market.

The C3 sits between the Saxo and Xsara and consequently is priced accordingly. When it goes on sale next in a couple of weeks, the seven model range will have an entry price of £8,995 topping out at £11,995.

For the family looking for value for money motoring, the C3 range provides four petrol-powered specifications, three powered by a 1.4-litre engine matched to manual or automatic transmission, and a flagship 1.6-litre model, as well as a choice of three specification level 1.4-litre diesels.

Insuring the car is also inexpensive with most models achieving a rating of 3E, while top-of-the-range models earn ratings of 4E for the diesel and 5E for the 1.6-litre petrol.

The C3's main armament in the fight for supermini supremacy lies in its attractive shape, with rounded lines including a tall curvy bonnet and deep spoiler, its deep side windows, vast windscreen leading to a high roofline, and the large crystal lens headlamps at the front and the triangular light clusters at the back.

It is taller than all its competitors including Peugeot 206, Renault Clio, Volkswagen Polo, Fiat Punto, Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris and Skoda Fabia. It gives way to some when it comes to overall length, bows to the Yaris's superiority when it comes to rear leg room, but elbows all the others out of the way when it comes to interior space.

There has been some motoring magazine and television criticism of the finish adopted for the car's dashboard and door trim, and also of the flimsy plastic finish to some of the fittings. It is a bit plasticky inside, not helped by the rather dull colours used for the interior trim, but none of the seemingly ill-designed fittings actually came apart of their own accord, only after being given a hard wrench. Certainly the car was vibration free during lengthy test drives which says something for the actual workmanship.

The driver faces a well-specified dashboard, some might say almost funky looking, with an interesting two-tone and curved digital display, driver instruments and four circular air vents (which to me are definitely Air-fix kit plastic).

Design-conscious owners and passengers will find the interior space much to their demands. There is more leg, head and elbow room than probably found in most rivals, and the roof tallness allows for the seats to be slightly raised to give good views through big windscreen and large side windows. And then there is of course the exceptional and electrically operated glass sunroof, allowing all the passengers to plane spot at their leisure.

Helping to keep the car clutter clear there are up to 30 stowage features, with two large door bins in each front door, two gloveboxes, one of which is lockable and, handily, can be refrigerated, while there are also underseat drawers and drinks holders.

Moving to the boot this is quite an interesting area, fitted with the company's unique Moduboard system which is designed to separate the boot into compartments, effectively creating a false floor in the load area, great for hiding muddy things out of the way, or even for standing shopping bags upright. When not in use the board can be removed or stored upright against the back seats, held in place by a specially built but easily used locking device.

Getting back to the child safety features, the front passenger seat and the rear seats are all equipped with Isofix child seat fittings. There are also aircraft-style trays on the back of the front seats.

A car built for the young and growing family also needs to look after their safety. Apart from the child locks and Isofix fittings, the car provides five three-point seatbelts and also the automatic operation of the hazard lights on heavy braking. Also available is ABS anti-lock braking, electronic brakeforce distribution as well as emergency brake assist along with up to six airbags. The steering wheel is also retractable to minimise chest injury, while the car's front has been specially designed to be reasonably pedestrian friendly.

Worried about car theft, then deadlocks and a new generation engine immobiliser will slow if not stop the fast getaway thief.

The route for the test driving took in town and country, fast straight roads as well as open and twisty rural rides. The suspension provides a nice combination of comfort and performance levels, the seats are firm and supportive, while the electric variable power-assisted steering ensures the car responds promptly to every twist and turn.

Engines are good, too. Economic and green. There are two petrol engines, a 75bhp 1.4-litre unit and a 110bhp 1.6-litre 16-valve both fuel injected, or the choice of two new direct injection diesel units, a 70bhp 1.4-litre eight valve and a 92hp 1.4-litre 16-valve engine, available with the option of manual or a sequential automatic.

The 1.4-litre eight valve delivers up to 67mpg on the combined cycle while its CO/2 emissions are down to 110 g/km, claimed to be the lowest of any conventional engined UK car, making it a car to appeal to the fleet user.

Other features to consider are the options available, such as rear parking sensors, automatic rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, "black panel" display dials, speed-sensitive control of the stereo volume and windscreen wipers, as well as a programmable "over speed" warning and headlamps which stay on for a short while after the car has been parked to help with driver safety and security.

Details at a glance:

Model: Citroen C3 supermini.

Prices: Between £8,995-£11,995 (petrol), £9,995-£11,995 (diesel).

Dimensions: Length 3850mm, width 1667mm, height 1521mm, wheelbase 2460mm

Internal dimensions: Front headroom 918mm, rear headroom 860, front elbow room 1401mm, rear elbow room 1402mm.

Engines: Petrol 1.4-litre (1360cc), 1.6-litre 16V (1587cc); diesel 1.4-litre HDi (1398cc), four in line cylinders.

Maximum power/(torque): 1.4-litre 75hp at 5400rpm (89lb.ft/3400rpm), 1.6-litre 110hp/5750rpm (108lb.ft/4000rpm), 1.4-litre DHi 70hp/4000rpm (110lb.ft/2000rpm).

Performance: 0-62mph 1.4-litre (manual) 12.4-seconds, 1.4-litre (automatic) 15.7-secs, 1.6-litre 9.7-secs, 1.4-litre HDi 13.4-secs.

Economy: 1.4-litre (manual) urban 34.4mpg, extra urban 56.5mpg, combined 45.6mpg (CO2 emission 148 g/km); 1.4-litre auto 29.1/51.4/39.8 (170g/km); 1.6-litre 32.9/54.3/43.5 (155g/km); 1.4-litre HDi 55.4/74.3/67.3 (110g/km).

Transmissions: Five speed manual or four speed automatic.

Service intervals: 20,000 miles

Updated: 09:27 Friday, April 19, 2002