Small cars have become increasingly more popular over the past year, be it the recession forcing us to spend less, or the laws and benefits of driving a smaller engine, reducing road tax and emissions. Whichever it may be, manufacturers have responded well to accommodate the need for small cars, however Citroen have taken it to the next level with the new C3.
Firstly lets look at design, not being a huge fan of old shape, Citroen have really focused on detail in the new model, taking what used to be a very bulbous body to Harley Street, giving it lypo and a tummy tuck revealing creases in all the right places, while still retaining some elegant lines and keeping it curvy. The windscreen stretches right back on top of the roof, divided by a chrome surround that finishes it off beautifully, creating a spacious feeling when driving and bringing purity to the C3's design.
The Interior speaks volumes about advances in the brand's identity, although the trademark steering wheel found in C4 and C5 models has not been included which is disappointing. The dashboard and elements within are a high quality finish, space isn't much of an issue either with the C3 boasting a large boot for its class. Options for a centre armrest, big enough for your wallet, and passenger seat drawer for any unmentionables you don't want seen are available at a reasonable cost.
The driving experience in the C3 is definitely aimed at fun about town; lower gears give you enough pull to swiftly move about without much concern. Motorway speeds aren't too painless either, with an impressive 0-62mph time of 8.9 seconds; twinned with the combined economy of 47.9 miles per gallon…don't you feel like an eco speed demon! The extended windscreen definitely makes a difference; opening up your visibility and making the car feel a lot more spacious inside. It handles well through corners and has plenty of initialled safety features to keep you on the road should you push it a bit too far.
Overall the C3 is a safer choice than stopping in a French lay-by at night (due to the fact it has lights) and it certainly looks more fun than the hairy trucker winking at you in the aforementioned lay-by. Another great small car from Citroen, and a choice you won't regret for a minute.
Picasso
Overview
AHAH! STOP THE PRESS! Don't be crowning any winner just yet, as I have
been driving a car that will wilt your enthusiasm about the Soul or the
Urban Cruiser. Let me introduce you to the C3 Picasso, possibly one of
the most unexpected cars to ever be made.
Following the trend of the C4, Citroen revealed the C3 Picasso at Paris Motorshow last year, and on first impressions I have to say I thought it looked like a giant bug (and I don't mean Bugatti).
With a design that is sure to turn heads and interior solutions that compete with Ikea, Citroen seems to have created a car that looks abnormal yet funky, is practical yet fun and has all the versatility of Johnny Depp.
Style and looks
As I mentioned earlier, the C3 is certainly an odd looking car, but with all the curves and bulges, works in today's city orientated style. You can tell that this wasn't just a panic project that Citroen put together to beat the recession either, they have really worked hard to deliver an 'out there' appearance for the C3, an appearance that has everyone looking and a clever way to get people talking.
Do away with that angular slant you get with the Soul and smooth off those corners on the Urban Cruiser, add some utilitarian bumpers, chrome roof rails and some nice wheels. That is what makes a crossover so true to its nature. Curvier than Coleen Rooney and certainly more agile, the C3 is a groovy car, in fact 'groovy', 'funky', 'retro', these 60's phrases perfectly describe the essence of the Picasso and together make more of a bold statement, than suspending it from the ceiling of the TATE modern.
Performance
Moving on from looking 'cooler than a cucumber' (wow the 60's must have been cool), let's talk about performance and the reason that the C3 has to win this group test. Whereas the Urban Cruiser and the Soul are available in just 2 engines, the C3 has 4, two of which BMW have worked together with Citroen to create. I tested the 1.6 Petrol, which compared to Kia's disappointing 1.6 diesel, feels sporty, nippy and like you could overcome even the fattest sleeping policeman.
With a 0-62mph time quicker than both the Kia and Toyota, the Citroen feels almost sporty to drive and has handling as smooth as Chris Evans' beautiful bottom. Match this with the best maximum speed of 117mph, and you have yourself a performance to rival Miss Tina's private dancing.
Comfort and Equipment
Inside the Picasso is even more of a tardis than the Urban Cruiser. With space to swing a cat, you will be able to cram your entire luggage in for a month and still have room for a barn dance.
In terms of interior styling, the Picasso is clean, and takes hints from its older sibling the C4, including central dashboard storage, and a large central display for everyone to see. The only downside being that you don't get Citroen's brilliant steering wheel, where the wheel moves independently from its centre. That said, the materials are still solid and don't feel cheap and nasty.
Seating is comfortable and cabin noise is reduced due to thicker glass and an insulated engine, perfect for long journeys. Twin that with a fantastic stereo, with steering wheel mounted controls, for all those Disney hits and you'll have great fun singing away the hours. More legroom than an airbus, the C3 is comfortable, wherever you sit.
As mentioned previous, the Picasso has a cavernous selection of storage solutions, from the glove box to under floor storage in the rear and even an adjustable boot floor for extra storage height in the boot.
To finish this all off you get a funky interior mirror too, so you can glare angrily at the misbehaving rascals in the back, until they've finished propping and collapsing their aeroplane style tables.
Summary
Overall the C3 Picasso is a very welcome member of the C3 family, and even though I'm not a family man myself, I can appreciate the great fun this car is to drive, as even when the kids are at school, you will still look like the modern 'cool' mum/dad driving this car.
A true crossover, and a car that will fit seamlessly into any scenery, whether it be the rugged cityscape or the rolling hills of the countryside, you will have great pleasure in driving a great vehicle. Well what can I say (Hopefully around 500 words or more for this review)? I have always been a massive fan of the original DS and when our French friends announced the new concept, I was sent back to very fond memories of a very cool car.
The DS3 is aimed mainly at the super-mini market, bringing quirky styling and a driving experience that should never wear thin. 'Quirky' is definitely a term I'd use to describe the DS3, its styling is certainly a talking point and will turns heads both young and old. What I am particularly fond of is the customisable details that make each DS3 unique to its owner. From roof colour to the colour on your car key itself, the DS3 is a true expression of your personality. Other customisable options are roof graphics, interior stitching and even wing mirrors! Now that's better than a rainbow flag and a 'powered by a fairy' bumper sticker.
In your rear view mirror, this little monster looks aggressive with the recessed vertical line of LED's staring right at you, but as soon as it passes by, you realise how cheeky this little rascal can really be. The compact design makes it great to pop about town, whereas the sporty, chunky stance brings a real drivers feel when you're coming up the rear (naughty! That's about 200 words down).
In the 1.6 diesel 'Dsport' trim we tested, the DS3 gives back just as much and you choose to dish out. 0-62mph in a speedy 7.3 seconds and a suspension that's better balanced than a drag queen attending therapy, gives you great feedback whether you're pushing through sweeping bends or cruising through the town streets. The turning circle also helps deal with sharp corners too, turning almost on a pin point, while the ESP keeps the DS3 firmly on the ground with no complaints.
The model we tested was fairly dark inside, however highlights of the body colour run throughout the interior styling, invoking the creativity you put into your perfect car. Much more successfully than that of its competitors, the Fiat 500 for example, the DS3 achieves an interior space that looks colourful and fun, but keeps materials looking expensive and rather bespoke (use that to impress your mates) (that's 350 words).
Next we move to how much all this cheekiness is going to cost you expressive lot. Starting from £11,700 (not including any customisation) the entry level DS3 is fairly basic. Go wild with creativity and you can expect to pay around £18,000 to express yourself all over the road.
Overall, I think the new DS3 will definitely give the likes of MINI and a few others a damn god run for their money. This modern take on a timeless masterpiece does do justice to the original DS brand. Citroen have created car that will crave all the right attention for you, saving you the trouble (as if you didn't enjoy doing it yourself). Expensive it can be, but looking at everything else it's up against, it's a cheaper option for a lot more car and is perfect for taking your friends for a spin, or impressing the latest chicken to hit the scene. (540 words! Woo hoo, I'm a literal genuis! 546 now…..)
Coupe Picasso Grand Picasso
What
is going on with Citroen! First came the freakish but cool C4 Coupe (I
currently have the special rally-esque "By LOEB" edition on test -
great fun) and now the all new C4 Picasso replaces the Xsara Picasso.
You remember the Xsara Picasso, a great big round fat thing, kinda
looked like an conservatory on wheels with about as much style and
poise as a fat queen playing lead in The Nutcracker.
Where do I start with the new C4 Picasso, hmmm ugly round fat
zero-poise zero style… now think the exact opposite of all of those
words and you're still not even close to how out-and-out sexy and
amazing the new Picasso is. If you'd told me 2yrs ago that anyone,
least of all Citroen, would finally release an MVP with a bit of sporty
style and sexy appeal I would have slapped you with your Gucci Man-Bag
and had you committed for insanity.
I tested the 5 seat 2.0HDI 138hp EGS Exclusive Diesel with the EGS 6sp
auto gearbox, the Picasso range starts at £14,495 for the basic LX
model and the list price for my test car without the endless optional
extras is £21,195.
At first I just couldn't get on with the EGS (electric) gearbox, I
found it jumpy and totally lacking power, almost to the point of
irritating, however being the focused homo that I am I persevered and
eventually ended up telling my mum. Now my mum has driven MPV's pretty
much since they came out, she's disabled, she always drives automatics.
What better way to see if your average person can get on with the
electric auto than letting your 62yr old disabled mother have a go…
needless to say in typical gay-man-mum fashion she preceded to jump
straight in and not only did she find the auto great (although she
couldn't get used to putting it in neutral not park), she, first time,
drove smoothly and had none of the jerking or jumpiness I found. She
also mastered the paddle shift and really had the Picasso shifting (how
embarrassing for me!) better than I did (I pray she doesn't read this
otherwise I'll never hear the end of it).
From the outside the new Picasso looks stunning and a little evil from
just about any angle, it's meaty, sporty (even in LX trim), chic and
really looks the dogs do-dars, its sleek with attitude and I honestly
think it's the best looking MVP on the market.
Inside it's a whole new kettle of fish, thanks to the panoramic
windscreen, putting glass where metal used to be, the inside feels
truly enormous, airy and bright, the seats and seating position is
outstanding and again, because of all that glass, visibility is second
to none.
The cabin feels solid and well put together, rear legroom isn't huge
but the upright seating position means that any happy homo's in the
back don't feel crushed. The build quality is great and even on the
basic spec LX there's plenty of spec and enough toys and gadgets to
keep you happy for a long time. So advice time - I would definitely buy
one over any other MPV, make sure you buy it in black and get the 17"
alloys, because its just stunning, and get the windows tinted as it
really makes the Picasso look mean. Oh and (sorry Citroen) unless you
have to don't buy the auto go manual instead.