Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech 110 Flair

What is it?

Citroen’s next step on its brand reinvention – its supermini contender the all-new C3. We try the range-topping Citroen C3 Flair 1.2 PureTech 110 with its petrol power.

The Cactus proved that it’s okay for Citroen to be ‘quirky’ and the new car clearly borrows some of the interior and exterior design cues.

But, is there more to this new Citroen than its distinctive look. We hit the road to find out!

What’s hot

• That award-winning smooth and pokey 110bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which also boasts 205Nm of torque and works very well in the C3. Emissions are just 103g/kg while consumption is 61.4 This equals a 19% charge for 2017/18.

• The C3 majors on comfort and the ride quality is excellent, although this comfort comes at the expense of dynamism. The C3 is a tidy handler, but it isn’t the keen drive of rivals such as the current Ford Fiesta.
• The Cactus influence can clearly be seen in the C3’s styling, with the split headlight design, plus the air bumps down the side (which are optional!). The same influence can be seen inside, with the wide front seats, the strap door pulls and the simple dash design dominated by the central touch screen. Other neat design touches that aren’t Cactus influenced, are the lower roof line with the floating roof and the curvy rear quarters. There are also clever design touches inside the C3, like the door bins that are coloured pale grey, so you can find items easily in them at night – neat.
• The new C3 is based on the same, but modified PF1 platform, which means a 75mm longer wheelbase. The result is adequate, but not over-generous space in the back. Although the space and driving position in the front is fine. The 300-litre boot is also practically-shaped.
• One of the unique selling points of the new C3 is the built-in camera, called ConnectedCam that’s located in front of the rear view mirror. It links to a phone app and lets you send photographs and videos. However of more use perhaps, is that the ConnectedCAM records video in the background, a feature which could be useful following an incident or accident.
• This range-topping Flair is well-equipped with standard equipment including automatic air-conditioning, DAB radio, Mirrorscreen with Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth and a seven-inch touchscreen.

What’s not

• We like the PureTech engine, but we feel the five-speed manual gearbox could be smoother and slicker.
• The coloured finishes and funky dials can’t hide the fact the plastics on the dash and doors feels cheap and scratchy.
• We like the new graphics and operating system for the C3’s touchscreen, but it’s still a bit slow to operate and some of the maps on the sat-nav are hard to read.

Verdict

 Fancy a comfortable, well-equipped and stylish supermini alternative from the usual Fiesta norm?

Well, we reckon the new C3 is worth a look and will make a real impression on the market in a way the rather staid second-generation C3 never could.

However this Citroen has more talents that will appeal to SME buyers, as choosing the PureTech petrol will equal affordable running costs.

The lowdown on: Citroen C3 1.2 PureTech 110 Flair