Citroën C2

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Citroën C2
2005 Citroën C2
Manufacturer: Citroën
Production: 2004-present
Predecessor: Citroën Saxo
Class: Supermini
Body style: 3-door hatchback
Engine: 1.1 L I4
1.4 L I4
1.6 L I4
Designer: Donato Coco

The Citroën C2 is a supermini produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since 2004. A completely different car, based on the Peugeot 206, is sold in China as the C2.

Along with the Citroën C3, the C2 was intended to replace the popular Citroën Saxo. The two cars have relatively different designs allowing Citroën to grab different sub-markets of the supermini class. The C2 was designed by Donato Coco. The C3 was originally designed as a larger "family friendly" vehicle" being 5 doors, whereas the C2 is seen as a "new driver" image with 2 doors and flatter styling, though still with low power.

Contents

[edit] Versions

Dashboard of a C2
Enlarge
Dashboard of a C2

The L model is the "no-frills" version of the C2 and comes with basic equipment, including black plastic bumbers and no fog lamps. The LX model introduced in 2003 and phased out in 2005 came with black lower bumper and door handles, CD player, rear seat modulation and no fog lamps. The Design includes body-coloured bumpers, electric windows. The SX is the luxury spec. It features what many consider to be overpriced features, including 'bumper colour coded paint' and air conditioning which has an unfortunate effect on the 1.1 SX performance, increasing the 0-100 km/h time by 3 seconds to 17.2 seconds.

The Furio, VTR and VTS are the sports models which made the C2's predecessor, the Saxo, famous as an affordable, sporty-looking and very fast 'pocket rockets'. The Furio is available with SensoDrive, a paddle-shift transmission. It has exactly the same sports body kit as the more expensive VTR and VTS models but lacks the alloy wheels of those models.

The VTR also has an adequate 110 bhp engine, whereas the VTS is the premium sports model, with a 125 bhp engine capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, seen as sluggish by modern hot hatch standards, where the fastest hot hatch achieves 5.3 seconds Clio V6, this is obviously designed for modern insurance friendly standards shown by Citroën.

2004's limited edition GT model offered a sporty bodykit, with bright red, blue, silver and black paintwork and unique white alloy wheels. All GTs had a number certificate to show their authenticity.

[edit] Technology

Some C2 models features a "Stop & Start" hybrid system, with the gas engine being supplemented by a small electric engine. The "Stop & Start"systems allows to automatically cut the engine when not needed (such as in slow traffic) to restart it briskly to move on again. The technology has been developed by Valeo and results in lower urban gas consumption.

Similar technology to this was previously seen in the 1980's VW Polo "Formel E" and the VW Golf MKIII "Ecomatic"

[edit] Engines available

  • 1.1 L Euro IV - 61 bhp
  • 1.4 L Euro IV -75 bhp
  • 1.4 L HDI - 70 bhp
  • 1.4 L Euro IV w/SensoDrive - 75 bhp or 90 bhp Stop/Start w/sensodrive
  • 1.6 L 16V VTR w/SensoDrive - 110 bhp
  • 1.6 L 16V GT- 110 bhp
  • 1.6 L 16V VTS-125 bhp

[edit] Models available

  • L
  • LX
  • Design
  • SX/Stop & Start
  • Furio
  • VTR
  • VTS
  • GT (Limited Edition 2004)

[edit] Citroën C2 "China"

Citroën C-Triomphe
Citroën C2 "China"
Manufacturer: Citroën
Body styles: FF 5-door hatchback
Similar: Peugeot 206

Starting in October 2006, the Peugeot 206 will be sold by PSA, for the Chinese market only, under the Citroën brand, with a modified front and rear body; this is similar to the way the Citroën LN was derived from the 104. The car will be sold as the Citroën C2, although it has no common features with the model sold on other markets, due to the positioning of the model in the Citroën China line-up.

According to forecasts, more than 40,000 units of this new vehicle will be produced in China at the Wuhan DPCA site over a full year.

Citroën C2 "China" press release

[edit] External links

<- Previous Citroën car timeline, 1980s-present - [edit]
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Economy car 2CV
Off-roader Méhari
City car LN LNA AX C1
Supermini C2
Visa Saxo C3
Small family car GSA ZX Xsara C4
Large family car BX Xantia C5
Executive car CX XM C6
Leisure activity vehicle Berlingo
Compact MPV Xsara Picasso C4 Picasso
Large MPV Evasion C8
Crossover C-Crosser