The people's diesel

Well, just weeks after that road test was signed off, Citroen has thrown a curve ball our way and it looks like we’re going to have to eat our words. They’ve just introduced the much-awaited diesel version of the C3 and have priced it at just two grand dearer than the entry-level 1.4, at R129 996.

We knew that a diesel derivative was coming, but had no idea Citroen were going to price it so competitively. In fact the newly introduced C3 HDi is now the cheapest diesel-powered passenger car on the market.

Admittedly, it’s not the most powerful or the best specified diesel in its class, but it packs all the necessary features including the essential air conditioning, power steering, remote central locking and a sound system with front-loading CD player. It’s also easy to get comfortable in, with height-adjustable front seats and a steering wheel adjustable for rake and reach.

You’ll have to wind the windows up manually, though that’s not a problem, but if you get into a tricky situation on the road you might well miss the side airbags and ABS brakes, although dual front airbags are thankfully still part of the package.

But it’s the engine that’s of interest here and it’s not just any old run of the mill smokey that’s been thrown in here. In fact, it inherits the very latest HDi common-rail diesel engine, the result of collaboration between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Ford. It might be small in size, with a capacity of 1.4-litres and 8 valves, but it manages to push out a respectable 50kW and 150Nm.

Being of a modern creed, the HDi unit makes use of the latest in common-rail technology. This sees four electronically controlled injectors, which calculate the timing and quantity of fuel required, injecting diesel at high pressures of between 250 and 1 400 bar.

It’s also extremely light, tipping the scales at just 98kg, largely because its developers were not stingy with aluminium.

But in the real world, all this techno jargon translates into the one thing you’ve no doubt been anxious to hear about – its fuel economy. And this is where the diesel argument really hits the nail on the head as the HDi sips only 3.52 litres per 100km on the open road and just 5.01 litres in town.

At the mercy of our machines, it also proved more than able on the test strip, running to 100km in 13.1 seconds – identical to the Corsa DTi and trailing the Polo TDi by 0.8 of a second.

As we’ve mentioned before, the C3 is a capable car in most respects, although the styling is love it or hate it. Sure, it’s won a design competition in Italy, but here in our Jo’burg offices in sunny SA, there was a feeling that it definitely has chic appeal – or is that ‘chick’ appeal – maybe a bit too much of that quality for more masculine tastes.

But, if the C3 can make it past your taste buds, it’s actually a very worthy package at the price and unlike some diesel cars, it won’t spend too much time at the garages either as major services are only required every 20 000km.

Fast Impressions
Make	Citroen
Engine	C3 1.4 HDi
Capacity	1398cc
Power	50kW @ 4000rpm
Torque	153Nm @ 1750rpm
Specific power	36kW per litre
Power to weight	50kW per ton
Torque to weight	152Nm per ton
Transmission	5-speed
Fuel capacity	45 litres
Acceleration 0-100km/h(c)	15.4 seconds
0-100km/h(g)	13.1 seconds
Quarter mile (exit speed)(g)	19.0 seconds (117km/h)
80-120km/h 4th gear (g)	13.0 seconds
120-160km/h 4th gear (g)	n/a
Maximum speed	165km/h
Fuel use overall	4.1litres per 100km
Price	R129 996
c=	Gauteng
g=	Claimed