Well yes, but the C3 is five-door while C2 is a three-door; this helps keep separate identities. The range starts at just €13,950 for the 1.1-litre (60bhp) and next up is the 1.1 SX (for a grand more).
The range topper is the car I’m in this week: the fun-loving C2 1.4 VTR. Later in the summer a 1.6-litre VTS will arrive, but for the moment the VTR is the only sporty option.
While the acronym sounds racy, the 75bhp VTR will keep your licence safe. The main toy and talking point, however, is the paddle shift automated manual gearbox that Citroen call ‘Sensodrive’.
In simple terms, you can use the car as an automatic or manual, depending on your mood. There is no visible clutch (so no pedal!) as it is hidden away. Two activators are used to change gear and operate the clutch on your behalf. You can shift gears with the gear lever or by using the Formula 1-style paddles found on the steering column.
I love and hate the ‘Sensodrive’ system. To drive in automatic mode you simply press a button down by the gear lever, a little light comes on, and, hey presto, the car changes gears for you. Because the car is an automated manual there is little or no penalty at the petrol pumps.
The auto mode is fine for stop/start town traffic, but the changes are far from smooth and a bit lurchy (I suppose the C2 is a victim of its own lightweight). The only way to enjoy ‘Sensodrive’ is to use the paddles and shift gears yourself.
The left paddle shifts down; the car will do this itself if you neglect to, e.g. coming to a stop at lights, or you can down change to get the benefit of limited engine braking. The right paddle shifts up the gears.
The knack to smooth gear changes is to lift off the accelerator (slightly) immediately after selecting the next gear. This isn’t necessary when you change down through the gears as the engine matches the revs to the gear. Anyway, in a sentence, the paddles are great and the fully automatic mode isn’t.
The C2’s exterior is angular and stylish with more than a few interesting lines to keep most happy. The tailgate is a great party piece as it is split. The top half opens up while another press of a button will lower the bottom section.
The boot is tiny, but the versatility the split tailgate offers makes up for this. C2 is a strict four-seater with just four safety belts. The rear seatbacks fold down to make the rear cargo area a bit more useful, but a few extra euro will get the optional rear seats that slide independently and fold over double.
Inside, the C2 is a cheery, youthful car that has a few nice design touches (coloured translucent plastics etc.) plus there are tonnes of interior space. All the usual creature comforts feature and you can even switch off the passenger airbag (with the key), so trendy young mams/dads needn’t be put off.
On the go the VTR is no rocket but it does have a cheeky streak. The steering lacks a conventional ‘feel’ and falls short of the go-kart-like promise the chunky exterior suggests (unlike a MINI for example). The C2 is still a lot of fun and I enjoyed it. A manual VTR is available for the same price, but the ‘Sensodrive’ with its F1 paddles is the one to go for.
-Michael Sheridan
RTÉ Guide
