Review: Citroën C3 Pluriel (2004-10)

Review: Citroën Mk.I C3 Pluriel (2004-05)

Overview

Released in September 2004, the Citroën C3 Pluriel was a three-door, four-seat hatchback with a removable roof and side arches. Manufactured in Aulnay-sous-Bois, France, the front-wheel drive C3 Pluriel was powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a five-speed semi-automatic transmission (‘SensoDrive’) which had both fully automated and paddle-shift manual modes. The C3 Pluriel range consisted of an unnamed, entry-level variant and the better-equipped Elegance.

The 1.6-litre TU5 petrol engine had double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 11.0:1.

Compared to its Mk.1 C3 hatch on which it was based, the C3 Pluriel was 84 mm longer (at 3934 mm), 33 mm wider (1700 mm) and 36 mm lower (1563 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2460 mm). The C3 Pluriel’s removable roof and side arches meant that it could be configured as a three-door hatch with a split tailgate or ‘Panoramique’ sunroof, or a two-door convertible. While the C3 Pluriel’s roof and rear window panels could be stored under the boot floor, the side arches could not be stored.

The C3 Pluriel had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.

Citroën C3 Pluriel specifications
Variant	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
[Unnamed], Elegance	1.6-litre petrol I4	5sp semi-auto (SensoDrive)	83 kW at 5750 rpm	147 Nm at 4000 rpm

Safety equipment

Safety equipment consisted of dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags (with head and thorax protection), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters for the front and outer rear seats.

Brakes

The C3 Pluriel had 266 mm by 22 mm ventilated front brake discs and 247 mm by 9 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2003 C3 Pluriel – fitted with a 1.4-litre petrol engine and tested with the roof bars removed – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 31 out of 37. In the offset impact test, upper leg protection was assessed as marginal and chest protection was adequate. In the side impact test, protection for the driver’s chest and abdomen was assessed as adequate.

Features

Standard features for the C3 Pluriel included 15-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, front fog lamps, cooled glove box, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, tinted windows, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Beyond this, the C3 Pluriel Elegance added leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and power folding mirrors.