Citroën C2

Marketing and advertising issues

Unlike its sister models, the Citroën C1 and C3, the C2 was seen as a victim of poor advertising. According to many in the motoring press, it was the most neglected model in the Citroën lineup in terms of promotion. In comparison, the C1 and the C3, on which the C2 is based, were both well presented in the media. Despite that, the Citroën C2 was awarded the "Best European Hatchback of 2003" in September 2003.

Versions

The LX model was the "no-frills" version of the C2 and came with basic equipment, including black plastic bumpers and no fog lamps.

The L model, produced from 2003 to 2005, came with black lower bumper and door handles, CD player, rear-seat modulation, and no fog lamps. The Design included body coloured bumpers and electric windows.

The SX was the luxury spec. It featured 'bumper colour coded paint' and air conditioning, the latter of which increases the 1.1 SX's 0–100 km/h time by 4.5 seconds to 17.2 seconds.

The Furio, VTR and VTS are continuations of the sports models which made the C2's predecessor, the Saxo, famous as an affordable "pocket rocket". The Furio has the same sports body kit as the more expensive VTR and VTS models but lacks their alloy wheels. Earlier models of the Furio had 15" Coyote alloys, but these were later replaced with wheel trims from the end of 2003 onwards.

The VTR also has a 103 PS engine, whereas the VTS, the premium sports model, has a 118 PS engine capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds. This was somewhat sluggish by contemporary hot hatch standards but was designed to be more insurance friendly.

Other additions that helped the VTS model achieve a low insurance rating (in the United Kingdom) were security-based including deadlocks and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm system which includes perimeter and volumetric detection as well as an engine immobiliser.

The limited-edition model GT, introduced in September 2004, offered a sporty body kit, with bright red, blue, silver and black paintwork and unique white alloy wheels. All GTs have a numbered certificate to show their authenticity. Only 2,500 were made, exclusive to the United Kingdom.

In 2006, there were a number of small revisions to the C2. Externally the car looks identical save minor changes to alloy wheels (on the VTR), half colour coded door mirrors, clear side indicator lenses, and white indicator rear lenses. Internal changes saw a new stereo with vehicle computer integration and some cosmetic changes to the driver displays and centre console.

The previous models ran two integrated electrical systems. The popular CAN BUS (Controller Area Network, by Bosch) and PSA's proprietary VAN BUS (Vehicle Area Network).

In 2006, PSA dumped the VAN BUS system for an all CAN-BUS system, giving it better functionality and compatibility with more component manufacturers. This required some of the electrical components to be replaced, explaining why the displays, radio/CD and some other electronic equipment were changed.

The VTR Sensodrive and VTS manual were the two petrol options available for the Australian C2.

Safety

Euro NCAP test results for a LHD, three door hatchback variant on a registration of 2003:

Facelift

April 2007 saw Citroën Europe announcing a facelift for its C2 model, which had received a minor update in November 2006. The 2009 C2 featured a larger front bumper and restyled grille with a chrome surround. The trim specifications remain in line with the range of 2008. Levels remained unchanged.

Technology

The Citroën C2 brings with it two key new technologies, the Stop & Start environmental system, and the SensoDrive five-speed automated manual.

• The Stop & Start is a hybrid system, with the internal combustion engine being supplemented by a small electric motor. The "Stop & Start" system automatically disengages the engine when you bring the vehicle to a complete stop, with pressure being applied to the brake pedal.

The engine quickly restarts when pressure on the brake pedal is relieved. The technology has been developed by Valeo and results in lower urban fuel consumption. The system, however, requires pressure on the brake pedal when stationary for the system to work, holding the vehicle on the handbrake (parking brake) alone will not be sufficient for the system to operate. The Stop & Start system is mounted to the SensoDrive gearbox.

A Stop & Start system was previously seen in the 1980s, with the Volkswagen Polo "Formel E" and the Volkswagen Golf MKIII "Ecomatic", although this was different in operation; in the Volkswagen system the engine stopped automatically when placed in neutral. Selecting a gear by moving the stick to the left (for first or reverse) activated the starter motor.

• The SensoDrive five-speed automated manual transmission is an electronically controlled manual gearbox, with the clutch and gear change functions electronically managed. As a result, the vehicle has no clutch pedal and the gear lever, which remains present, has no mechanical link with the gearbox. The SensoDrive gearbox is managed by a control unit, which controls two actuators.

One actuator changes gears while the other, which is equipped with a facing wear compensation system, opens and closes the clutch. The gearbox control unit also dialogues with the engine control unit. The SensoDrive gearbox has two shifting options of either the fully automated mode or the paddle-shifted manual mode.

Engines available

• 1.1 L TU1 (1124 cc) I4, 60 PS
• 1.4 L TU3 (1360 cc) I4, 75 PS
• 1.4 L ET3 SensoDrive Stop & Start (1360 cc) I4, 90 PS
• 1.4 L DV4 HDi Diesel (1398 cc) I4, 68 PS and 111 lbft
• 1.6 L TU5 SensoDrive VTR (1587 cc) I4], 110 PS
• 1.6 L TU5 VTS (1587cc) I4, 125 PS
• 1.6 L DV6 HDi Diesel (1560cc) I4, 110 PS and 198 lbft

Trim levels

United Kingdom trim levels

2003–2008

• L
• Airplay
• LX
• Design
• Cool
• SX
• Stop & Start
• Furio
• VTR
• VTS
• GT (Limited Edition 2004)
• Loeb (Limited Edition 2007)
• Code (Limited Edition 2007)

2008–2009

• Vibe 1.1i and 1.4HDi.
• Rhythm 1.1i, 1.4i and 1.4HDi.
• Cachet 1.1i and 1.4i.
• Stop & Start 1.4i 16v 90 bhp SensoDrive.
• VTR 1.4i, 1.6i 16v 110 bhp SensoDrive and 1.4HDi. All Now With Air Con.
• VTS 1.6i 16v 125 bhp and 1.6HDi 16v 110 bhp.
• Code 1.6i 16v 125 bhp.

Chinese version (T21)

From October 2006 to 2013, the Peugeot 206 was sold by PSA, for the Chinese market only as the Citroën C2. With a modified front and rear body, this is similar to the way the Citroën LN was derived from the Peugeot 104.

The car has no common features with the C2 on other markets, due to the positioning of the model in the line up of Citroën China.

It has a length of 388 cm, width of 168 cm, height of 144 cm, with a wheelbase of 244 cm, and is powered by one of the two engine options: a 1.4 L (76 hp) and a 1.6 L (106 hp). Weight ranges from 1040 kg to 1100 kg.

Late 2012, Citroën released a crossover-styled variant, called C2 Cross.

It was produced in China at the Wuhan Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile site until 2013.

Sales and production

These figures are including the Chinese C2, which is not a proper C2 but rather a slightly redesigned Peugeot 206. Almost 80,000 of these Chinese Citroën C2 were produced.

Classification in the French tax and insurance system

The petrol engine with 60 HP was classified as 3 CV. The engine with 73 HP as 4 CV and the one with 88 HP as 5 CV. The two most powerful petrol engines were then 6 CV. When it came to diesels, the smaller one was rated at 4 CV and the more powerful one was rated at 6 CV.

References

References

1. "Citroën C2 (2003–2009)".
2. "Citroën C2 (2003–2009)".
3. "Citroen C2 (2003)". Euro NCAP.
4. (4 April 2008). "2009 Citroen C2 Facelift: Visual Enhancements and new 110 Hp 1.6L Diesel".
5. "Citroën C2". Citroën Chine.
6. (2010). "Action Auto Moto Hors-Série N°64".
7. "Engine specs from PSA Peugeot Citroën". PSA Peugeot Citroën.
8. (November 2016). "PSA Annual Report 2012". PSA.
9. (21 February 2013). "Memento Mars 2013". PSA Peugeot Citroën.
10. "Citroën C2 China Sales Figures".