Citroen C1 (2005 – 2014) Review

March 2005

Citroen C1 launched

3,429mm long by 1,630mm wide by 1,470 high. Engines: 68bhp chain cam 1.0 3-cylinder petrol and 54bhp 1.4 4-cylinder belt cam diesel. 3-dr or 5-dr. Four, two-tone seats trimmed in fabric or velour, complementing the colour-keyed door panels.

Design of the front seat backrests maximises leg room for rear seat passengers, with interior space further optimised by the 2.34m length of the wheelbase. Twelve storage compartments in dash, centre console and doors - front door bins are big enough for A4-size books. The rear seat, which may be 50/50 split/fold depending on the model, can easily be dropped to expand boot space from the standard 139 litres up to a sizeable 751 litres on the 5-door version.

Turning circle of just 9.5 metres. Both engines Euro IV compliant, return over 60 mpg on the combined cycle and are available with five-speed manual gearboxes. A SensoDrive gearbox, without steering wheel paddles, but with an automatic mode for stress-free driving on busy roads, is also available on petrol versions in some countries. Body structure incorporates crumple-zones and impact absorbers at front and rear as well as reinforced doors, it also offers ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, CSC (Corner Stability Control), Isofix anchor points, rear door child safety functions, and up to six airbags.

June 2005

Citroen C1 goes on sale in the UK

In UK priced from £6,495 - £500 less than the Aygo. All have CD radio with MP3 player. Base Vibe has wind-up windows. Prices Vibe petrol 3-dr £6,495, Vibe petrol 5-dr £6,845. Rhythm petrol 5-dr £7,345, Rhythm 1.4 diesel 5-dr £8,445. Diesel due by July 2005. Petrol figures: 0-60 13.4, top speed 98, mpg 61.4 combined, CO2 109g/km, IG 1E. Diesel figures: 0-60 15.3, top speed 96, combined mpg 68.9, CO2 109g/km, IG 2E.

Only real justification for the diesel at £1,100 more is that it has more torque so is easier to drive at low speeds.

June 2006

New models added to the line-up

Citroen C1 Airplay from July 2006 comes with a 1GB black iPod nano and integrated docking station that allows music to be played through the car head unit and speakers. Based on C1 Vibe, also has remote control central locking and front electric windows. Costs £6,495 for the 3-door and £7,145 for the 5-door version after July 2006 cashback. Side decals an extra £70.

Also from July 2006 3-door version of the 1.0i Rhythm on sale for £6,875 after cashback. Has ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Cornering Stability Control, remote central locking, four airbags, power steering, MP3 compatible CD player, front electric windows and a spherical rev counter.

January 2007

New cashback deals on offer

Cashback price January 2007 from £5,745

February 2008

Citroen C1 Code launched

C1 Code from February 2008 has black metallic paint and comes complete with 14" alloy wheels. The smart interior features sleek leather/Alcantara seats and sporty chrome trim. Based on the high specification Rhythm model, in both 3 and 5 door versions, it also features a CD player, remote central locking, electric windows and four airbags. Price £7,945 for the 3-door.

November 2008

Range facelifted

New look for 2009 announced, with new nose, slightly better economy and slightly lower emissions. There are new wheels and trims whilst inside there are new upholstery and materials. The 1.0i 68hp petrol engine now emits 106g/km CO2 and offers 63.8mpg combined.

January 2009

Facelifted model prices announced

Prices for 2009 facelift

• VT 1.0i 12V 68hp 3Dr 106 g/km CO2 £7,595.00
• VT 1.0i 12V 68hp 5Dr 106 g/km CO2 £7,945.00
• VTR 1.0i 12V 68hp 3Dr 106 g/km CO2 £8,095.00
• VTR 1.0i 12V 68hp 5Dr 106 g/km CO2 £8,445.00
• VTR 1.4HDi 55hp 5Dr 109 g/km CO2 £9,395.00

January 2009

Citroen C1 Splash launched

In new colours of metallic Electra Blue or Lipizian White. Has custom coloured door mirrors; Lipizan White models feature metallic black mirrors and the Electra Blue will have white door mirrors. 62.8 mpg on combined cycle, CO2 emissions of 106g/km and group 1 insurance make it the ideal city car. At under 111g/km CO2 it qualifies for 100% first year write-down when bought as a company car. The C1 Splash is based on the new 1.0i 68hp VT model and is available from £7,345, including a generous £800 cashback offer.

January 2010

New VTR+ trim level for 2010

Directly replacing the previous VTR models. VTR+ trim provides enhanced standard specification in the form of a highly attractive 'Leather Pack', which includes part leather/part Alcantara® upholstery, leather steering wheel and gear knob, as well as shiny black interior touches. Also come equipped with front lateral airbags and Isofix child seat anchorage points on the rear seats. Optional 'Safety Pack' is available with ESP and curtain airbags. Rear seats are 50:50 split/folding and, for extra comfort, air conditioning is available as an option.

Production of the C1 Splash Special Edition continues during 2010. Splash models offer air conditioning, remote central locking and front electric windows. Choice of with two body colours and custom coloured door mirrors; Lipizian White models feature metallic black mirrors and the Electra Blue metallic cars have white door mirrors.

• 1.0i 12V 68hp 3-door VT, 106g/km, VED £35, 62.8 comb, IG 2E, £8,495
• 1.0i 12V 68hp 5-door VT, 106g/km, VED £35, 62.8 comb, IG 2E, £8,845
• 1.0i 12V 68hp 3-door Splash, 106g/km, VED £35, 62.8 comb, IG 2E, £9,045
• 1.0i 12V 68hp 5-door Splash, 106g/km, VED £35, 62.8 comb, IG 2E, £9,395
• 1.0i 12V 68hp 3-door VTR+, 106g/km, VED £35, 62.8 comb, IG 3E, £9,345
• 1.0i 12V 68hp 5-door VTR+, 106g/km, VED £35, 62.8 comb, IG 3E, £9,695
• 1.4HDi 8V 55hp 5-door VTR+, 109g/km, VED £35, 68.9 comb, IG 4E, £10,645

January 2012

Facelifted C1 launched for 2012

New features include CO2 emissions from just 99g/km, LED daytime running lights, a CD audio system with Citroën's integrated Connecting Box (Bluetooth system with USB socket) and an Electronic Gearbox System with steering-mounted paddles.

Agile and frugal, the New Citroën C1 is powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine developing 68hp. Equipped with a manual gearbox, the New Citroën C1 1.0i boasts improved fuel economy of up to 65.7mpg over a combined cycle. Emissions are also improved, to just 99g/km of CO2, making the New C1 London Congestion Charge exempt, subject to free VED and a 100% capital allowance as a company car. As well as being the first Citroën petrol model to emit less than 100g/km of CO2, the New C1 is also available with an Electronic Gearbox System complete with steering-mounted paddle controls for enhanced handling and driving pleasure. This EGS version delivers an impressive 62.8 mpg (combined) and emits only 104g/km of CO2, but is £20 annual tax.

The headlights keep their rounded shape, while the front bumper has been entirely redesigned to house fog lights and LED daytime running lights, which are still a rarity in the segment. The vertical design LED light signature - which is specific toCitroën and can also be seen on DS3 and C4 AIRCROSS - strengthens the character of the new model. At the rear, New C1 retains its innovative glass tailgate and features the brand's new chevrons and badging. New C1 also gains new ‘Notus' design 14" wheels and is available with ‘Rift' 14" alloy wheels, as standard, on top of the range models.

March 2012

UK Pricing and specification details announced

The newly restyled Citroen C1 will go on sale in the UK on 2 April with MRR OTR list prices starting from just £7,995. The range-topping 5-door VTR+, featuring Citroën’s efficient Electronic Gearbox System with steering-mounted paddle controls, is priced at £10,545.

Citroën has announced that all New C1 models attract a £1,000 Citroën Reward, meaning OTR prices start from just £6,995. In addition, VTRmodels are available from just £99 per month with Elect 4 Personal Lease, including one year’s free insurance for drivers aged 21-75. The free insurance offer is also available on VTRmodels funded with Elect 3 finance.

As well as being the first Citroën petrol model to emit less than 100g/km of CO2, the New Citroën C1 is well specified, even from the entry-level VT trim. VTR versions add day-time running LEDs, air conditioning and electric front windows. The VTR+ trim also includes 14” alloy wheels, Connecting Box (Bluetooth® & USB socket), front fog lights, leather steering wheel and dark tinted windows.

July 2014

2005-2014 Citroen C1 most reliable new car in 2014 Which? Car Survey with reliability rating of 99.3%.

March 2015

Citroen C1 shown to be 3rd most reliable European car more than 3 years old and out of manufacturer warranty in data survey of Warranty Direct policy warranty claims. (Excludes KIAs, Hyundais, Toyotas and others with 7, 5 and 4 year warranties.)

April 2015

Haynes manual now available for Citroën C1 Petrol (2005 - 2011) 05 to 11 reg, price £22.99. Covers hatchbacks with 998cc 1.0 litre petrol engines. Does NOT cover diesel engines. HAYNES.