Citroen C3 1.2 VTi 82 VTR+ manual

What is it?

A Citroen C3 with an engine to match its name: it has three cylinders.  This is the model that kicks the old 1.4 litre C3 into touch.

Shedding a cylinder and 0.2 of a litre from the engine has served up a C3 that is much more efficient, with mpg up and CO2 down. How does 62.8mpg sound from a petrol engine?

Haven’t we seen this same three-pot engine somewhere before? Well spotted.

Yes, it’s the same engine that Peugeot has in the 208. It’s 1.2 litres and 81bhp with 118Nm of torque, so its plenty meaty enough to haul a little French hatchback weighing just over a ton.

How about CO2? That’s relatively low at 107g/km, so it’s in band B for VED and the tax disc costs nothing in the first year. Company car tax is at 13 per cent.

So what’s it like to drive?

It’s no pocket rocket and acceleration is relatively leisurely, but it feels quite nippy around town. Refinement is pretty reasonable and it has pleasant driving manners. The compact size and good all-round vision means its a cinch to park. Sounds interesting too.

What’s hot?

• Charismatic three-cylinder engine, very efficient and distinctive sound
• Neat size, easy to park, just right for a city commute or that tight space in the office car park
• Strong on economy with a combined average of 62.8mpg
• Only 107g/km CO2 output means no-cost band B for first year VED, then only £20 a year
• Only 13 per cent company car tax for the 2013-14 tax year
  

  

• Reasonable insurance costs, it’s in group 9E
• Good turning circle, 10.2 metres kerb-to-kerb
• Smart 15-inch alloys, comes with full size steel spare wheel
• Tows well for a small car, capable of hauling 1100 kg
• Not bad boot space for its size, 300 litres of luggage room back there
• C3 handles better than it used to, now has stiffer anti-roll bars and firmer damping
• Ride quality generally good, pretty smooth over all but worst surfaces
• Has a gear efficiency indicator to encourage you to drive economically
• Cruise control is standard kit, helpful for eeking out the mpg
• Has added standard kit over the C3 VT, you gain aircon, panoramic windscreen, fog lights, leather steering wheel, Bluetooth and USB sockets
• Lots of light from the big Zenith panoramic windscreen that you get as standard kit
• Reasonably priced from £12,940

What’s not?

• Three-cylinder engine note not to all tastes
• Steering feels a bit woolly, not as good feedback as some rivals
• Gearchange a bit notchy
• Bit of body lean on the bends
• It’s not the quickest little hatchback on the road, you need to work it a bit to get it going

Verdict

With an efficient 1.2 litre three-cylinder engine this VTR+ version of the little Citroen C3 hatchback makes an appealing package.

It drives well, is a practical five-door hatch and it stacks up well on the business car front.

It’s not the most envigorating drive, but it’s quite good fun and decent value with low running costs – and you can get a business car lease from £164 a month.

The Low Down…

…and what it costs