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Citroen C3 Stop & Start 1.4-litre petrol Road Test Report

Stop & Start 1.4-litre petrol

Citroen’s C3 Stop & Start was launched in 2004 and it boasts one significant and unusual technical feature. When it slows to a halt at lights or in traffic, the engine automatically stops itself to save fuel. And when you want to move off again just press the throttle and the engine instantly re-starts and away you go. It’s clever, it’s green, and it works…

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Performance

Here’s how; when the brakes are applied to stop the car, the engine cuts out at 4mph as it’s slowing to a complete standstill. A green ‘Eco’ light comes on, the rev counter needle disappears, the automated clutch in the 5-speed, manual paddle-shift ‘SensoDrive’ transmission stays disengaged, and all is calm. The engine then remains on ‘standby’ until the brake pedal is released, whereupon the engine automatically restarts. When throttle is applied the clutch automatically re-engages and, with engine already running, off you go again. It’s all so seamless and unobtrusive it’s almost a non-event, and on-the-road performance remains adequate – its 4cyl, 1.4-litre petrol engine delivers 90bhp, 0-62mph in 13 secs and a max of 112mph.

Ride & Handling

None of the above affects the way this C3 behaves while on the move. Being a supermini it would be wrong to describe ride comfort as ‘luxurious’, but the ride quality is pretty good and the suspension copes well with poor surfaces. The C3’s handling isn’t quite as light and sporty as the Saxo’s that it replaced, but it generally feels grown-up and secure, and grips tightly in both wet and dry. The electric power-assisted steering has good feel and the C3’s road manners are safe and predictable.

Build Quality & Reliability

The C3’s interior feels well built, but some of the components used don’t feel quite as expensive as they might. The glovebox lids, for instance, are a bit flimsy, while the dashboard plastics aren’t of quite the same quality as found in, say, a VW Polo of the same era. Despite some fairly harsh use while on test, the SensoDrive system, and the rest of the car, operated just as well at the end as they did at the beginning. And with Citroen’s 20,000 mile service interval and 60,000 mile/3 year warranty, the manufacturer shows some confidence in its technology.

Safety & Security

The C3 has a 4 Star Euro NCAP occupant rating, with driver, passenger and front side airbags all standard equipment, as are front seatbelt pre-tensioners. Traction control and/or Electronic stability control are not options, and nor is an alarm, but it does come with central locking and an immobiliser.

Space & Practicality

Though fairly small on the outside, on the inside the C3 feels bigger than it really is. With its wide front doors it’s easy to step into, and once inside you sit high up, whether in front or rear, but it’s certainly not short on headroom. Up front there’s ample elbow room and space for two, plus two gloveboxes. The headroom is fine in the rear too, and with the C3’s raised front seats there’s plenty of space for oversized feet. There are kiddie-sized folding tables in the rear, under-seat drawers, and the boot is very deep with a ‘Moduboard’ – a useful second folding floor which can split the bootspace into different compartments.

Ownership & Value

At 49.6mpg (combined) the C3 Stop & Start isn’t quite as thrifty on fuel as its diesel-powered C3 stablemates, and it’s not quite as zippy away from the lights as its 1.4-litre sibling with a conventional transmission, but it beats the diesel 1.4 on performance and betters the conventional, petrol 1.4 on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and insurance group. If costs are your top priority then the C3 1.4 Hdi would be the model to choose, but if you spend lots of time in cities or heavy traffic, then the SensoDrive C3 makes good sense.

Submitted: 09/09/2008 10:55:56

Superminis

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