Citroen C2 1.4 HDi Range Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Citroen C2 1.4 HDi
Prices: £11,845 - on the road
Insurance Group: 3
Emissions: 113g/km
Performance: Max Speed 102mph / 0-60mph 13.2s
Fuel Consumption: (combined) 65.7mpg
Safety: Twin front and side airbags
Dimensions: Length/wheelbase 3660/2310mm

SIPPING THE BALANCE

Our Rating: 7.3 / 10

If fuel economy is as important as cheeky styling, the little Citroen C2 1.4 HDi could well appeal. Andy Enright reports…

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry when I hear American colleagues bemoaning the fact that fuel costs are running at about one dollar seventy per gallon. Downsizing from a monster truck to a mere Humvee might be their idea of saving the planet but here in the UK, we have a very different perspective on cutting fuel bills which has resulted in cars that are not only very economical but also huge fun to drive. The Citroen C2 1.4-litre HDi is a case in point.

Wind the clock back a few years and the concept of a city tot with a diesel engine offering anything other than unmitigated misery would have been laughed at. The diesel engine was long viewed as an agricultural thing best used by commercial vehicles and farm machines but modern diesel units have been developed to such an extent that petrol powerplants are now riding their coat tails and stealing ideas to give better performance, refinement and economy. Take the 1.4-litre HDi diesel fitted to this C2 as an example.

With a mere 70bhp on tap, the C2 HDi will still top out at the other side of the ton and get to 60mph in 13.2 seconds, almost justifying its sporty VTR trim. More importantly, it’s respectably quick off the mark to 25mph or so, an all-important factor in stop start city conditions. Much of that is down to the abundant torque. The 111 lb/ft produced by the HDi diesel engine gives the tiny C2 more punching power than, say, a 1.6-litre Audi A3. Yet despite being this light on its feet, this C2 HDi returns a staggering combined fuel return of 65.7mpg and emits only 113g/km of carbon dioxide. This thing is cleaner than the soles of Mrs Prescott’s shoes. On a gentle run, it’s easy to see 78 miles per gallon of diesel and given that the fuel tank can hold over nine gallons, a fill to the brim that’ll cost you around £32 gives you a maximum theoretical range of over 700 miles. That’s not the only place where this C2 HDi saves you money. Insurance is Group 3 which will doubtless appeal to young drivers as will the very affordable upfront prices.

Although it shares its chassis, drivetrains and a number of body and interior parts with the C3, don’t think of this car as merely a scaled down version of Citroen’s spherical supermini. The styling marks a different direction with a C3-style bulbous nose allied to a far edgier, angular back end. Although to some it might look like the results of two design studies fused at the door pillars, it’s certainly distinctive. The side windows adopt a staggered line while the rear haunches blister out in a purposeful fashion and the latest models can be identified by a clear section in the tail-light clusters.

The C2 maximises its use of available space very effectively. Despite being even shorter than a Saxo, it’s easily able to seat four in comfort. Lessons have been learned from the reception given to the C3 interior and the C2 adopts many of the funkier styling touches such as the ventilation system and the bar rev counter and introduces a few of its own. Interior materials quality has been improved with the introduction of the upmarket dashboard also found in the C3 featuring high-grade plastics and silver detailing. There’s a wide range of trim choices from sober monotones right up to the most extrovert two-tone designs.

The steering adjusts for rake and reach in all versions while plusher trims also get a height adjustable seat. Few will have any cause for complaint given the amount of space in the front of the cabin as it feels no smaller than the C3, a car already renowned for its spaciousness. Like the MK1 C3, the C2 gets a can holder ahead of the gear lever as well as generously proportioned door bins that can accommodate a 500ml bottle of pop. Access to the rear isn’t bad and Citroen have displayed admirable pragmatism in failing to pretend that the C2 is anything other than a four seater. So many small cars cram three belts in across the back and end up trussing occupants up like a leg of lamb but the two rear seats of the C2 are well sculpted and respectabl