Especificaciones y análisis del Citroën C3
Power
68HP
Torque
150Nm
Consumption
4.3l/100
Emissions
113g/km
0-100 km/h
15.4s
Top Speed
165km/h
Weight
1022kg
Price
13,685€
Technical summary
Gasóleo
Automático 5v
FWD
5 / 5 doors
305 L
47 L
50 kW
Current
Technical specifications
Engine
Capacities
Detailed analysis of the Citroën C3 HDi 70 SensoDrive SX Plus · 68 CV (2005-2007)
General description
The first-generation Citroën C3 is more than a car; it's a rolling memory of an era when French design dared to be different. With its 70-horsepower HDi diesel engine and the peculiar SensoDrive gearbox, this small utility vehicle promised economical and simple urban driving, wrapped in a body that left no one indifferent. It was the travel companion for thousands of families and novice drivers, a vehicle that prioritized friendliness and ingenuity over raw power.
Driving experience
Getting behind the wheel of the C3 HDi 70 is an experience of calm and anticipation. The diesel engine, though modest with its 68 horsepower, pushes with surprising willingness from low revs thanks to its good torque, ideal for city driving. However, the real star is the SensoDrive gearbox. It's not a conventional automatic, but a robotized manual that requires getting used to its pauses and its rhythm. It works in the city, but on the open road, its slowness can be somewhat frustrating. The suspension, true to Citroën tradition, smoothly filters out irregularities, providing a ride comfort that makes you feel cared for and isolated from the asphalt.
Design and aesthetics
Its silhouette is unmistakable, a bubble of optimism on wheels. The C3's design, with its curved roof and large glass surface, not only aimed to stand out aesthetically but also created an astonishing sense of space and light inside for its size. Inside, the digital speedometer was a statement of modernity, a futuristic nod in a simple and functional cabin. It's a design that evokes sympathy, a form that follows the function of making life on board more pleasant and spacious.
Technology and features
At its technological heart beat the efficient HDi engine with common-rail injection, a mechanism that was a benchmark in fuel consumption and smoothness in its day. The big bet, however, was the SensoDrive automated manual gearbox. It tried to democratize driving without a clutch pedal, offering paddle shifters on a popular car, an ingenious solution though not perfectly executed. The digital instrument cluster and electric power steering completed a package that sought to make technology accessible and useful for daily life.
Competition
In a market dominated by giants like the Renault Clio, the Peugeot 206, or the SEAT Ibiza, the Citroën C3 played a different card. While its rivals often opted for a more dynamic or sporty feel, the C3 established itself as the bastion of comfort and practicality. It offered superior roominess and a more relaxed drive, attracting an audience that valued well-being and originality over pure performance. It was the friendly and spacious alternative in a very competitive segment.
Conclusion
The Citroën C3 HDi 70 SensoDrive is a car with a very defined soul. It is the perfect vehicle for those seeking minimal cost per kilometer in an urban environment and who value ride comfort above the segment average. Its design is still fresh and its interior, practical. However, its peculiar SensoDrive gearbox is a decisive factor that can either charm with its simplicity or frustrate with its operation. It's a smart buy if a well-maintained unit is found, a small rolling refuge that reminds us that not all cars have to be the same.