The C1 is a roomy car with four real seats. The interior space is truly exceptional, in view of its exterior dimensions.
The C1 is 3.43 m long. Design engineers made the wheelbase as long as possible in order to maximise passenger comfort. Overhangs are therefore smaller. These short overhangs – among the shortest in the segment – make the C1 a particularly nimble city car.
Compact and roomy, the C1 meets the essential criteria of city car buyers, particularly as it has an easily resizable boot and a range of accessible and convenient stowage compartments.

Dimensions of a city car

Compact and easy-to-handle, the C1 is naturally gifted. It is 3.43 long with minimum front and rear overhang (65 and 44 cm). These measurements, ideal for a city car, are backed up by a turning circle of just 9.5 m. The C1 also features limited weight and lively engines. 

Length	3.43 m
Mirror-to-mirror width	1.85 m
Height	1.46 m
Wheel base	2.34 m
Front overhang	0.65 m
Rear overhang	0.44 m
Turning circle between kerbs	9.5 m

Although the C1 is one of the shortest cars in its category, its 2.34 m wheel base provides sufficient space for four adults. Elbow room (1.37 m) is higher than average in this segment, giving the C1 good available width. The rear overhang – reduced to the extreme – and the extended rear doors on the five door version, contribute to interior space and easy access.
Front space is one of the key strong points of the C1, which is positioned in a segment where frequently only the front seats of cars are occupied. Alongside the appreciable elbow room, the head room and windscreen size help the occupants to feel at ease.
At the rear, all passengers – including adults – will appreciate the available leg room and head room. 

Cabin length			1.62 m
Elbow room	Front	3/5 doors	1.38 m
	Rear	3 doors	1.34 m
	Rear	5 doors	1.36 m
Headroom	Front		0.87 m
	Rear		0.84 m

The C1’s seats feature backrests of optimised thickness. They are designed to maximise the available space inside the car, without compromising on comfort and safety.
The back of the front seat is just 16 cm thick. It thus provides more centimetres of precious space between the knees of the rear passenger and the back of the front seat, giving the C1 one of the roomiest rear areas in cars of this size.
The seats are designed to provide maximum comfort in urban use and to adapt to drivers of all shapes and sizes. The seats are also uncompromising on safety. The front seats, which feature integrated headrests, set the standard for the segment in terms of anti-submarining. They can be equipped with chest airbags to increase passenger protection in the event of side impact. 

An easily resizable boot

Also with a view to maximising interior space, in line with the priorities of vehicle users, the C1’s boot is of relatively modest size in its basic configuration. It can easily be resized, however.
The volume under the parcel shelf is 139 litres. The parcel shelf has been placed in the lowest possible position in order to maximise rear visibility and to accentuate the transparency of the C1’s rear end.
When additional boot space is required, the user simply:

• removes the parcel shelf and places it at the back of the boot to gain another 60 litres. The boot volume is then around 200 litres;
• or, folds down the rear backrest (single piece or 50/50 depending on the versions). Boot volume to roof, with the rear seat folded down, is 751 litres on the 5-door version and 712 litres on the 3-door version. The rear seat back is unlocked by pulling the light grey tabs on either side, accessible from the boot.

 A spare wheel of normal size is housed under the boot lining. 

Stowage compartments within easy reach

The C1 boasts 12 stowage compartments in the dashboard, central console and doors. All of them are within easy reach of the driver and passengers. The bins in the front doors are large enough to store an A4 exercise book. At the rear, further stowage space is available under the side windows. The 5-door version of the C1 features swivel-opening windows which, unlike sliding windows provide sufficient space for stowage bins that are almost as big as those at the front, while also providing greater elbow room for passengers at the rear. 

Like the C2, C3 and C3 Pluriel, all of which received four stars in EuroNCAP tests, the C1 boasts class-beating active and passive safety features. Road holding, stability and generous safety equipment are just three of the strong points that set it apart from other vehicles in its category.

Automotive qualities

Sharp reactions

Easy to handle and with sharp reactions, the C1 delivers a high level of active safety. Nimble and pleasant to drive in the city, the C1 is also confident on the open road, thanks to its optimised running gear.
The C1 features MacPherson type front suspension with an anti-roll bar 22 mm in diameter attached to the wishbones. The rear suspension comprises a flexible transverse beam and hydraulic shock absorbers.

Efficient braking

The C1’s efficient braking system delivers real bite, contributing to the overall impression of onboard safety. The braking system features ventilated discs at the front and drums at the rear. With ABS as standard, coupled with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), the C1 handles emergency braking with confidence. The C1 is highly stable during all phases of braking, even when cornering. The CSC (Corner Stability Control) function keeps the car on a stable course, even when it rounds a corner with the brakes on.
The 14” wheels, shod with Michelin 155/65R14 tyres, also make an active contribution to road holding. 

For easy manoeuvring in the city and confident handling at higher speeds, the C1 can be fitted with electric power steering, combined with a height-adjustable steering wheel.
The electric power steering adapts to vehicle speed and has little impact on fuel consumption since the electric motor works only when the steering wheel is turned.
Moreover, the low steering force makes for easy manoeuvring. Rack travel is +/- 70.2 mm, with a steering ratio of 43 mm per turn or 3.3 turns of the wheel.
The compact design and low weight of the C1 make it easy to handle. Depending on the country, the C1 may be fitted with non-assisted steering on the first level of trim.
With both types of steering system, the column retracts by 73 mm in the event of impact, thus reducing the impact of the driver’s chest against the wheel.

Efficient impact protection

Modern equipment

In terms of passive safety, the C1 is fitted with a full range of modern equipment to protect the driver and passengers at front and rear.

• Front airbags are standard. The 60-litre driver’s airbag is fitted in the steering wheel hub. The 90-litre passenger airbag can be switched off in order to install a child seat at the front.
• Two side airbags (9 litres), integrated in the front seats as standard from the second level of trim, protect the chest.
• Two 24-litre curtain airbags, optional depending on the country, provide head protection for passengers at the front and rear.
• The steering column retracts by 73 mm to limit the impact of the driver’s chest against the wheel.
• The top part of the pedal assembly features an impactor to limit pedal intrusion into the cabin in the event of impact.
• All seats have safety belts with three anchor points. Front seats feature pyrotechnic pretensioners with force limiters in order to reduce pressure on the chest in the event of impact.
• Isofix anchor points, available at the rear with the 50/50 split/fold seat, feature a third anchor point in anticipation of the tighter regulations scheduled to come into application in 2006, concerning child protection in the event of frontal impact.
• The rear doors feature child safety functions.

 

• To limit impact on collision

In addition to its wide range of safety equipment, the C1 boasts a new platform designed to satisfy the most stringent impact tests:

• The front and rear ends comprise cantrails with built-in crumple zones, attached to two absorbers and a reinforcing beam.
• The subframe and windscreen pillars are designed to absorb energy, dissipating it towards the rear of the vehicle.
• The reinforcing bars in the doors, cross-member in the dashboard and high side-members protect the passengers in the event of side impact. 
• To limit repair costs

The C1 is also designed to considerably reduce repair costs and times in the event of low speed impact. This objective is achieved through:

• a bumper beam at front and rear with detachable energy absorbers resting on the cantrails at the front and on small, solid side rails at the rear. The impact absorbers are calibrated to 8 tonnes, and the cantrails and side rails to 10 tonnes. These are higher than the average values in this segment, of 6.5 tonnes and 8 tonnes respectively;
• the style of the bonnet and the headlamps placed well back from the bumper,
• the headlamp attachments, which break on impact,
• the front and rear bumper mounting system, which unclips easily in order to protect the front wings and rear doors,
• the rear bumper positioned high-up in order to avoid damaging the tailgate.

To limit the consequences of pedestrian impact The C1 was also designed to reduce the consequences of possible pedestrian impact.

• It is fitted with two impact absorbers: one on the upper part of the front end and one on the lower part to limit leg injuries.
• The shape and lining of the bonnet are designed to absorb energy more effectively.
• The bonnet hinges and lock, and the car wings are shaped to be less aggressive on impact.

 

Unlike most vehicles in this segment, the C1 offers a choice of engines and gearboxes to adapt to a full range of lifestyles. Customers can choose between a petrol or diesel engine, and a manual or SensoDrive gearbox.
With its limited weight and lively engines, the C1 slips in and out of traffic easily. It also has the on-road qualities necessary to make longer journeys outside the city.

Low consumption engines

The C1 is a city car that can also be safely driven on major roads. Its engines are sufficiently powerful for this type of use.
The modern engines and limited weight of the C1 ensure low fuel consumption.
The C1 offers a choice of two engines, both satisfying the Euro IV standard:

• a 68 bhp 1.0i petrol engine, supplied by Toyota and mated with:
• a 5-speed manual gearbox,
• or a SensoDrive automated gearbox, also 5-speed.

This petrol engine is a new three-cylinder model (four valves per cylinder), offering one of the highest levels of fuel economy in its segment. It consumes just 4.6 l/km over a combined cycle. Its low CO2 emissions (109 g/km) also set it apart from the competition.
In terms of performance, this is a responsive engine, delivering a strong linear increase in speed. It develops 50 kW (68 bhp EEC) at 6,000 rpm and torque of 93 Nm at 3,600 rpm. This engine also features variable valve timing (VVT) to optimise filling of the combustion chambers at all engine speeds. 

• a 54 bhp HDi diesel engine, designed by PSA Peugeot Citroën and mated with the same manual gearbox as the petrol engine.

The C1’s diesel engine is based on the 1.4 HDi engine fitted on Citroën’s other superminis: the C2, C3 and C3 Pluriel. It has been adapted to the weight and character of the C1, with power of 40 kW (54 bhp EEC) at 4,000 rpm and torque of 130 Nm at 1,750 rpm. Thanks to the torque available at the lowest engine speeds, the C1 is pleasant to drive in the city, where the engine is frequently stopped and started. This engine is ideal for intensive city use and for journeys, with its parsimonious levels of fuel consumption: just 4.1 l/100 km over a combined cycle.

Gearboxes for all situations

The C1 slips easily into the traffic flow, darting in and out as required. Its gearbox ratios are designed to ensure the fast responses necessary for driving in the city. 

• The diesel version of the C1 features a manual gearbox, identical to the one fitted on the petrol version. These 5-speed gearboxes developed by Toyota are designed to minimise fuel consumption. They require a specially developed low-viscosity oil.

Like the C2, C3 et C3 Pluriel, the C1 petrol model is available with a SensoDrive gearbox offering a host of advantages:

• stress-free urban driving combining the convenience of an automatic with the driving pleasure of manual transmission, thanks to a sequential gear lever,
• attractive customer pricing,
• safety in use. The driver never needs to take his or hands off the wheel. The current gear speed and mode of use are displayed on the instrument cluster.

Reflecting the personality of the C1, a number of adjustments have been made to the SensoDrive to increase user comfort, including a new gear grid. Also, the steering wheel paddles are absent.
Automatic mode is indicated by an E for Easy: a reminder that the C1 is a car that is easy to live with. M indicates Manual, N Neutral and R Reverse. In night lighting mode, Easy and Reverse are amber, while Neutral is green and Manual red.
The gearbox is designed for easy manoeuvring in the city, as illustrated by the easy-to-select reverse gear, the slight “creep” at slow speeds and the management of gear changes in automatic mode.