Release Of C2

[Gteuk]

Citroën has revealed the new car that it hopes will re-take the budget hot hatch market. The three-door C2 will be launched later this year and effectively replaces the ageing Saxo.

The C2's styling is angular and aggressive - note the plunging side windows and sloping roof line - and Citroën says the extended wheelarches will accommodate 16in wheels. Base models will be powered by 1.1- and 1.4-litre engines, while the C2 1.6 VTR gets a 110bhp unit. The SensoDrive paddleshift transmission will also be optional.

Inside, the interior trim can be had in blue, orange or green, and the rear seats can both recline and slide backwards and forwards. The tailgate is split Range-Rover style, so just the glass window can be opened.

Safety takes a huge leap over the Saxo with the inclusion of ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, ESP, traction control and up to six airbags.

There will also be a wide range of options. Boxes to tick include automatic air-con, parking radar, automatic headlamps, rain-sensitive wipers and a trip computer.

Article from evo

[Gteuk]

A little picture of it as well

[Kevin]

Yes Glen and the 'hot' versions look superb, should be a worthy successor to the Saxo VTR.

The 110bhp engine is highly rated for refinement and economy.

I can't wait to see the VTS version!!

[CE08LDB]

What engines are they using for Automatic Transmission and what trims. like the C3 has the 1.4i SX Auto and a 1.6i 16v Exclusive Sensodrive. I know the Saxo had a 1.4i 3 speed Automatic intill last year.

[Gteuk]

Snipped from the citroen site, it does not mention too much but this is the standard when releasing a new car, so much changes from concept to production.

We will keep our eyes and ears open


Citroën's wicked new 3-door supermini

First details of the eagerly awaited Citroën C2 supermini, with its distinctively wicked style, show it will offer a combination of strong road presence, innovative practicality, exceptional equipment and, of course, sporty appeal with the VTR version, when it goes on sale towards the end of the year.

Unlike anything else around, the C2 promises to be the 'wild child' of the supermini sector with its purposeful bonnet, squared off headlamps and large wheel arches - providing room enough for 16" wheels. In short, the Citroën C2 looks every inch the 'pocket rocket', with its dynamic stance and minimal overhangs promising to make it agile and surefooted around town or on the open road.

Ensuring that its interior is as dynamic as its exterior, the four seat Citroën C2 boasts a range of bright, modern design schemes, including orange, blue and green, for the colour coded trim and matching coloured translucent gear lever knob and armrests.

Clever stuff too from Citroën sees the introduction of sliding and folding rear seats, for unprecedented versatility. As well as providing more elbow room than most superminis, this ingenious configuration also provides excellent legroom or good bootspace and ample room for three occupants plus plenty of luggage space.

Innovation even continues in the boot of the car, where the designers have introduced a split tailgate - ideal for tight town situations - with a glass that hinges like a hatchback and a drop-down lower tailgate with its own storage compartment.

The car may be compact but the equipment list is not. Everything from automatic air conditioning, electronic parkign assistance, remote stereo controls, multi-adjustable steering wheel and an onboard computer through to light sensitive headlamps, rain sensitive windscreen wipers and overspeed warning are all available.

And the C2 is brimming with safety equipment including ABS with EBD and EBA, automatic hazard warning lights, ESP and traction control. In the event of an impact, reinforcing bars in the doors, a retracting steering column and up to six airbags help reduce the risk of injury.

Behind the wheel, drivers will benefit from the variable power assisted steering which, combined with an exceptionally good turning circle, promises to make the car fun to drive and ideal for the nip and tuck of the urban jungle.

Under the bonnet, C2 will offer up to 110hp, for the 1.6 VTR model - up from the 90hp of the Saxo VTR at its launch - which, together with the 'wheel at each corner' stance, promises to make the C2 VTR great fun to drive. Citroën's highly acclaimed 1.4 HDi diesel engine and 1.1 and 1.4 petrol engines, as well as the Company's rally style SensoDrive paddle-shift gearbox, complete the powerplant line up.

The three door Citroën C2 will join the five door C3 and the soon-to-be launched C3 Pluriel convertible supermini, to give Citroën three very different small cars set to appeal to very different customer requirements.

Managing Director for Citroën UK Ltd. Alain Favey, said: "With its dynamic, yet mischievous looks, the C2 is set to make a great new addition to our supermini range and will help us build still further on Citroën's rapidly growing popularity in the UK."