Citroën C3

}} After Jean-Pierre Ploué was appointed Director of the Citroën Design Center in 2000, he designed the C3 under the leadership of Donato Coco, who was already responsible for Citroën Xsara Picasso. The first generation of the C3 was launched at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, as well as the 2001 Bologna Motor Show, and began marketing in January 2002, as a five-door hatchback. It was available with 1.1, 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol engines, and 1.4 and 1.6 litre common rail diesel engines. All models came as standard with a five speed manual transmission, except for the Stop & Start model, which came with the SensoDrive gearbox, a five-speed automated manual transmission with paddle-shifters and manual and automatic modes. The top level was the only version that had the option of a four-speed hydraulic automatic transmission. In accordance with the PSA Group policy, the C3's chassis was used for the Peugeot 1007 and the Peugeot 207. Many components of the C3 are the same as those of the Peugeot 206. Some versions of the C3 feature a start-stop system that can automatically cut the engine when not needed to save fuel, such as in traffic, and restart it briskly to move on again. An offroad-looking model called C3 X-TR was marketed from 2005 to 2009. Citroën C3 Lumiere 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. Facelift 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 stiffens up with speed. Citroën also added a new 1.6 L 16 valve HDi diesel engine to the range, rated at . The Pluriel also received similar interior alterations but was otherwise unchanged. As with the Peugeot 206+ and Renault Clio Campus, Citroën didn't yet end the original C3 despite the new generation arrival. It stayed offered on selected European markets. During Autumn 2009, the brand announces the first-gen C3 will be marketed under a new name : Citroën C3 Génération. However, a few weeks later, the name is changed to Citroën C3 Classic. This name is used in France but also in other countries like Greece or Italy. Various names are used across Europe like C3 Hit Classic (Belgium), C3 First (UK, Germany) or C3 First+ (Switzerland). The first-gen C3 was manufactured in Spain until 2010, in France until mid-2011 and sold across Europe until February 2011. The South-American model was manufactured and sold until 2012. C3 Pluriel Citroën marketed the C3 Pluriel from 2003 to 2010 as a convertible with five open top variations, hence the name, which derives from the French word for "plural." The name Pluriel is related to the English word plural. This model was developed as a turnkey project by Italdesign. It was exclusively assembled in Spain. The Pluriel can be configured as a hatchback with a multi-layer insulated top; 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; 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 diesel engine. The 1.6 L petrol came fitted, as standard, with an automated manual gearbox. The Pluriel was withdrawn in July 2010. Roof operation became a point of criticism, with operation as a convertible requiring the roof rails be left behind with out foul weather recourse. The Pluriel was criticized for its roof design on the Top Gear special The Worst Car in the History of the World. 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." File:Citroen C3 Pluriel front 20071104.jpg|Citroën C3 Pluriel File:Citroen C3 Pluriel rear 20071104.jpg|Citroën C3 Pluriel Citroen C3 Pluriel Charleston (45149516535).jpg|Citroën C3 Pluriel Charleston Citroen C3 Pluriel Charleston (46011454492).jpg|Citroën C3 Pluriel Charleston Engines • 1.1 L (1124 cc) TU1 I4, • 1.4 L (1360 cc) TU3 I4, and • 1.4 L (1398 cc) DV4 HDi diesel I4, and • 1.4 L (1398 cc) DV4 HDi 16-valve diesel I4, and (discontinued in 2005; could not meet EURO4 compliance) • 1.4 L (1360 cc) ET3 16 valve I4, and • 1.6 L (1560 cc) DV6 HDi 16 valve diesel I4, and • 1.6 L (1560 cc) DV6 HDiF 16 valve diesel I4 with diesel particulate filter, and • 1.6 L (1587 cc) TU5 16 valve I4, and Safety South America The first generation C3 was manufactured in the Porto Real PSA plant from 2003 to August 2012. A limited number of CKD Citroën C3 have been assembled in Uruguay by local assembler Oferol. ==Second generation (SC; A51; 2009)==