Citroën C3

The Citroën C3 Lumiere was a concept car that previewed the production Citroën C3, it was initially released in 1998 as a five-door hatchback, with four seats and rear suicide doors for easy access for passengers to the rear seats. It featured a five-speed manual transmission, and a 1.1 L TU1 I4 petrol engine upfront.

The C3 was given a redesign in October 2005, with the front end featuring a more imposing bumper, wider lower air intake, single air intake slit below the restyled radiator grille, and a repositioned number plate. The rear of the car was also given redesigned light clusters, with crystal coloured midsections.

The passenger compartment was also enhanced, with the fitting of a restyled dashboard with a high-quality finish, as well as a newer, more modern instrument cluster making the driver information easier to read.

The addition of light metallic grey embellishers around the central section of the fascia and air vents contributed to the updated interior, as did the completely redesigned front and rear door panels and trims. The steering was also improved so that it weights up with speed. Citroën also added a new 1.6 L 16 valve HDi diesel engine to the range, rated at 110 bhp (82 kW; 110 PS). The Pluriel also received similar interior alterations but was otherwise unchanged.

Citroën marketed the C3 Pluriel from 2003 to 2010 as a convertible with five open top variations, hence the name.[8] Pluriel is a cognate with the English plural.

The Pluriel can be configured as a hatchback with a multi-layer insulated top;[9] a full-length landaulet, operable partially or to the back window or any stage in between, with a buffet minimizing wind deflector over the windshield;[9] a fixed profile convertible, with the roof open to the back window, the roof assembly folds into a well in the trunk floor;[9] a full convertible where roof side rails are unlatched and removed.[9] and as a roadster pick up, where the back seats fold to a pickup like a bed with a drop-down tailgate.[9]

The C3 Pluriel was introduced in July 2003, and was originally offered with a choice of a 1.4 or a 1.6 L petrol engine, and a 1.4 L[10] diesel engine. The 1.6 L petrol came fitted, as standard, with an automated manual gearbox. The Pluriel was withdrawn in July 2010.

In October 2013, Top Gear Magazine placed the C3 Pluriel on its list of "The 13 worst cars of the last 20 years", describing the car as "useful as a chocolate teapot."[11]

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  Citroën C3 Pluriel
• 
  Citroën C3 Pluriel

• 1.1 L (1124 cc) TU1 I4, 60 PS (59 hp/44 kW) and 69 lb·ft (94 N·m)
• 1.4 L (1360 cc) TU3 I4, 75 PS (75 hp/55 kW) and 87 lb·ft (118 N·m)
• 1.4 L (1398 cc) DV4 HDi diesel I4, 70 PS (69 hp/51 kW) and 118 lb·ft (160 N·m)
• 1.4 L (1398 cc) DV4 HDi 16-valve diesel I4, 90 PS (89 hp/66 kW) and 147 lb·ft (200 N·m) (discontinued in 2005; could not meet EURO4 compliance)
• 1.4 L (1360 cc) ET3 16 valve I4, 90 PS (89 hp/66 kW) and 98 lb·ft (133 N·m)
• 1.6 L (1560 cc) DV6 HDi 16 valve diesel I4, 92 PS (91 hp/68 kW) and 159 lb·ft (216 N·m)
• 1.6 L (1560 cc) DV6 HDiF 16 valve diesel I4 with Diesel particulate filter, 110 PS (108 hp/80 kW) and 177 lb·ft (240 N·m)
• 1.6 L (1587 cc) TU5 16 valve I4, 110 PS (108 hp/81 kW) and 108 lb·ft (146 N·m)

2013 facelift

Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013, the C3 hatchback was revised to featuring updated exterior and interior, and more efficient engines. The C3 facelift comes with updated chevrons and bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights at the front and new tail light clusters combined with new reflectors set underneath the rear bumper.[14]

Citroën C3 Picasso, the South American version

Citroën C3 Aircross, produced exclusively for the Latin American market

There are four trim levels in the C3 range, which range from the entry-level VT (which does not have the panoramic windscreen), the mid-range VTR+ and eco-efficient "Airdream+" (which has lower CO
2 emissions) to the top of the range Exclusive, which has half cloth half Alcantara seats, extra chrome outside, alloy wheels, an alarm, folding mirrors, and power windows all around.

Trim levels are denoted by a small badge on the rear window frame on the VT/VTR+ and Airdream+ and by a small chrome badge on each front door on Exclusive models. Norev has produced a 1:43 scale model of the new Citroën C3 in Botticelli Blue, Metallic Green, and black.

By 2016, a 100 hp (75 kW; 100 PS) 1.6HDi with 5-speed gearbox was available.