Are we ready for a '21st-century 2CV'? Andrew Hamilton finds out
It's almost 20 years since the Citroën franchise changed hands in Ireland, from financially troubled Ashenhurst Williams to Gowan Distributors, which already handled Peugeot. Citroën, with a reputation for eccentric, idiosyncratic cars, wasn't an easy product to sell then. James Wyse, who headed up the operation in 1982 and who is still managing director, recalls some of the problems.
"We had one of image and reliability and customers were actually frightened by some of the cleverness. Worst of all, a Citroën Owners' Association was set up in 1976 and in the early 1980s it was still remembered. The association was based on owners who couldn't get satisfaction from Ashenhurst Williams."
In 1983, which was the first full year of James Wyse heading Citroën, 384 cars were sold through 17 dealers. This year Citroën will account for over 9,000 cars and vans on the Irish market through 40 dealers. In 2000, the figure was 10,100.
Citroën, of course, is now part of the PSA group where the dominant partner is Peugeot and, as in Ireland, Citroën and indeed Peugeot, are among the fastest-growing brands in Europe. Until not so long ago, the small cars of the two marques were separated by little more than their badges.
Recently, there has been a change of heart. PSA decided that, instead of hiding Citroën's past, it should celebrate it. Future Citroëns would not be rebadged Peugeots even if they shared engines and most other components. While it would not be as technically adventurous as before, Citroën would regain its one-of-a-kind style.
This new attitude is very much reflected in the new Citroën C3, which will be launched in the third week of next month. It's a car of singular character, a five-door Supermini that's unlike anything else in that class. Some have likened its chubby style to a modern-day 21st-century 2CV. It is being built on an all-new platform which eventually will be the base for the replacement for the Peugeot 206 and various other Peugeot and Citroën models. We won't, though, be able to tell their shared heritage from appearance.
AT Citroën, this car sits between the Saxo and the Xsara. It's taller than any other car in its class and has the most generous front seat area. C3 has an exceptional number of stowage areas - two big glove compartments, underseat drawers, double door pockets that can take A4 folders, and a false floor for the boot that can be hinged and folded to support shopping. There are also airline-style tables in the front seat backs and easy child-seat fittings.
Many people when they think Citroën, think suspension. In C3, however, the suspension is conventional for a small front-wheel-drive car: returning to the old Citroën ways does not include adopting the cushy hydropneumatic arrangement of the GS, launched to the international press in north Donegal in the late 1960s.
Main engine options for the Irish market are a 1.1 litre, 1.4 litre petrol and the new 1.4 litre common-rail HDI unit that Peugeot shares with Ford - it's also offered in the new Fiesta.
THE 70 bhp diesel which is said to average 67 mpg, has the lowest C02 figure of any conventional car. Diesels in this supermini segment have very limited appeal to Irish customers, which is a pity - it should be a thoroughly good proposition. We know from the Fiesta that it isn't noisy, doesn't vibrate and delivers plenty of torque or pulling power, making for easy progress.
James Wyse is very excited about C3 in Ireland. "It's sexy and alluring. It will do for us what the 205 and 206 did for Peugeot."