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Featuring
all the qualities inherited from the C3 saloon,
the C3 Pluriel is a
highly versatile car, whatever the configuration.
Its advanced
technology, safety and equipment place it on a par
with the best
saloons in its category.
Technology 100% useful for city streets and open
roads
The engines and equipment of the C3 Pluriel clearly
identify it as a tourer.
Engines with recognised qualities
o The entry-level 1.4i engine develops 54 kW EEC (75
bhp DIN) at 5,400
rpm and torque of 118 Nm at 3,300 rpm. It combines
driving pleasure
with economy in use and low environmental impact.
Coupled with a
gearbox of well adapted speed ratios, the 1.4i is
the ideal engine for
everyday use.
o The new generation 1.6i 16V engine is a strong
performer. It develops
80 kW EEC (110 bhp DIN) at 5,750 rpm with maximum
torque of 147 Nm at
4,000 rpm. This engine combines powerful performance
with reasonable
fuel consumption and emissions, and a level of
driving pleasure rarely
seen on this segment. Equipped with the SensoDrive
gearbox as standard,
this high-performance engine is designed to respond
to all types of
input.
SensoDrive gearbox standard with the 1.6i 16V
The C3 Pluriel is a strong, innovative concept that
demands a high-tech
content of corresponding excellence. Citroën is
therefore fitting the
SensoDrive gearbox as standard on versions equipped
with the 1.6 16V
engine.
Already available on the C3 saloon, this new 5-speed
robotised manual gearbox offers superlative driving
pleasure.
It gives the driver a choice between two
gearchanging modes, manual and
“auto-adaptive” automatic, depending on individual
requirements and
traffic conditions.
In manual mode, the driver maintains full control
over gear changes.
Gears are changed using one of the two control
functions provided:
o Two paddles located behind the wheel: the
right-hand paddle is used
to change up, the left-hand paddle to change down.
These paddles are
fixed, so that they can be used intuitively,
whatever the position of
the steering wheel, for improved comfort and safety.
o A sequential gear lever on the central console.
For safety reasons,
only the console lever can be used to put the car
into neutral or
reverse.
An electric function positioned on the central
console behind the lever
lets the driver switch to automatic mode. In this
case, an “Auto”
pictogram is displayed on the instrument cluster,
together with the
gear engaged. At the same time, an indicator lights
up.
The driver switches naturally from one operating
mode to the other,
using either the automatic mode control or one of
the two dedicated
manual mode controls (paddles behind the wheel or
sequential gear
lever) to quit automatic mode.
The SensoDrive gearbox places the emphasis on
driving pleasure by doing
away with manual clutching and declutching
operations. With the fast
response of the SensoDrive and the performance of
the 1.6i 16V engine,
the driver is able to adopt a sporty driving style
while keeping both
hands on the wheel, thanks to the positioning of the
gearshift
controls. And since the SensoDrive system optimises
gear change
management in automatic mode, fuel consumption is
controlled more
effectively than with a conventional manual gearbox.
This gearbox is one of the systems developed in
response to the demand
for functional driving aids. It brings significant
progress in
ergonomics and driving pleasure, while reducing the
fatigue, the stress
of urban driving and fuel consumption.
Variable-assistance electric power steering
For smooth manoeuvring in the city and reassuringly
precise steering on
the open road, the C3 Pluriel features an electric
power steering
system in which the power varies as a function of
vehicle speed.
This power steering system, borrowed from the C3,
has been adapted to the specific characteristics of
the C3 Pluriel.
Digital multiplex electrics for enhanced
efficiency
The C3 Pluriel is fitted with the digital multiplex
electrics of the
C3, which in turn are based on those of the
high-spec C5 saloon, with a
new generation 32-bit computer.
Digital multiplex electrics offer a range of comfort
and safety features including:
o hazard warning lights that come on automatically
in the event of emergency braking;
o intermittent flashing of the roof light if an
opening panel is opened while the car ismoving;
o a programmable excess speed warning;
o automatic operation of the windscreen wiper and
headlamps*;
o radio volume indexed to vehicle speed*.
(*) depending on equipment
This technology is also used to manage the
retractable roof system: air
conditioning controls adapted to roof
configurations, sliding function
disabled when the rear window is open, and rear
window defrost disabled
in cabriolet and roadster configurations.
Top-level safety
In terms of safety, the C3 Pluriel is fitted with
the same equipment as
the C3, together with specific features relating to
the convertible
configuration.
The technical challenge lies in making up for the
absence of an upper
structure that would also close the rear
compartment. The body of the
C3 Pluriel has therefore been reinforced in order to
obtain levels of
stiffness and impact behaviour comparable to those
of a closed car.
The C3 Pluriel can claim to be the safest car in its
segment as well as
the safest of all the convertibles in any segment
tested by EuroNCAP.
As demonstrated by the C3 Pluriel’s 4-star results
in impact tests.
In terms of protection against theft and breaking,
the functions available are based on those of the
C3.
Reliable, responsive roadholding
The C3 Pluriel boasts excellent dynamic qualities by
reason of its running gear and active safety
features.
As on the C3, the front suspension is a MacPherson
set-up, with coil
springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. It is fitted
with an anti-roll
bar as standard for improved body control.
The rear suspension, which is specific to the C3
Pluriel, features a
flexible transverse beam, compact shock absorbers
and a large-diameter
anti-roll bar. It has been designed to strike the
best possible balance
between active safety and comfort.
The reliable and responsive road manners of the C3
Pluriel can also be explained by:
o the long wheel base, identical to that of the C3,
for enhanced stability,
o the 185/65/R15 tyres with wide tracks,
o the stiffened body shell with a host of optimised
reinforcements,
designed to make up for the difference in weight
between the C3 and the
C3 Pluriel (+ 130 kg).
Active safety on the C3 Pluriel is further enhanced
by a wide range of
equipment. Depending on the country, the C3 Pluriel
offers as standard
or optional:
o ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution,
o ESP and traction control*,
o emergency braking assistance an d automatic
illumination of hazard warning lights.
(*) equipment available at a later date
A protective structure
In order to limit structural deformation and
dissipate energy in the
event of impact, the structure of the C3 Pluriel has
been reinforced
through the extensive use of special highstrength or
very-high-strength
steel.
The main reinforcements on the C3 Pluriel concern:
o the side members, which are fitted with thick
lining parts (the side
members at the bottom of the doors are now 150 mm
wide),
o the cross-members with large cross-sections, which
are used to box the subframe in several places,
o a host of special steel reinforcements on the
opening panels.
To ensure a complete, dependable whole, the C3
Pluriel offers a range of top-quality protection
equipment as standard:
o driver airbag and (deactivating) passenger airbag,
o head/chest side airbags at front,
o pyrotechnic pretensioners combined with force
limiters at front,
o Isofix anchor points at rear,
o indicator showing driver’s seatbelt not attached.
A structure that protects the occupants
in the event of rollover
The C3 Pluriel meets the criteria of the German TÜV
standard, currently
the reference in testing vehicle resistance on
rollover.
The Spider roadster configuration, in particular,
demanded additional
protection. To this end, large-diameter tubes made
of thick, reinforced
steel, have been placed:
o inside the windscreen pillars,
o in the frames of the backrests and headrests at
the rear: the
built-in reinforcement tube, which measures 40 mm in
diameter, creates
a virtually crushproof supporting area at the rear.
The side arches further extend this protection in
the cabriolet and
saloon configurations, with a built-in aluminium
reinforcement tube, 4
mm thick and 55 mm in diameter, running along their
entire length. As a
result, the arches and their anchor points on the
vehicle structure are
able to withstand several tonnes of lateral and
crushing force in the
event of rollover.
Theft protection
The barrage of protection devices installed on the
C3 Pluriel include
central locking of the doors and tailgate, an HF
remote control unit
and transponder, and a function that automatically
relocks the vehicle
if it is unlocked accidentally.
C3 Pluriel: from day to day
C3 Pluriel Saloon - For every day
Thanks to the platform shared with the C3, the C3
Pluriel has inherited
all the qualities of the 5-door model in terms of
safety, roadholding
and technology.
The C3 Pluriel has the specific design features of a
convertible, but
it is very much a car for everyday use, with a
capacious boot, generous
space at front and rear, and high standards of
acoustic and thermal
insulation.
Shared comfort
Onboard well-being multiplied by four
Inside the C3 Pluriel, occupants will recognise the
interior space and
roomy front area of the C3 saloon. Maximum use is
made of the car’s
unusual height (headroom of 885 mm at the front).
The raised seats (325
mm at the front and 355 mm at the rear) offer a
clear view of the road,
giving the occupants an impression of height and
increased security.
In addition to the two front seats, whose roominess
places them among
the front-runners in the segment (elbow room of
1,422 mm), the C3
Pluriel has two full-size seats at the rear, with
room for two adults
to enjoy the journey.
At the rear, leg room is similar to that of a 3-door
saloon, while head
room (888 mm) and elbow room (1,330 mm) are
considerably more generous.
The amount of space at the rear, which is greater
than on most
cabriolets in the compact saloon segment, can be
attributed to the
exclusive retractable soft top. Also, the backs of
the front seats are
hollowed out to create more space for passengers at
the rear.
The acoustic and thermal comfort of a saloon
On urban roads and motorways, the silent running of
the C3 Pluriel in
the closed configuration will be much appreciated by
the occupants. The
multilayer soft top has been designed to satisfy
motorists who are used
to conventional saloons.
In a closed configuration, the C3 Pluriel also aims
to provide the same
features as a saloon in terms of temperature
control.
Moreover, the air conditioning remains useful even
in a cabriolet or
roadster configuration, since it cools the
temperature in the car,
while leaving the occupants free to enjoy the
sunshine.
The two reliable and efficient air conditioning
systems (manual and
automatic control) available with the C3 are also
present on the C3
Pluriel. Automatic air conditioning comes with a
cooled lower glovebox,
a heat-reflecting windscreen and an activated carbon
(antiodour) filter.
Available as standard, the pollen filter is a
high-performance unit
that continuously filters out pollen, germs, dust
and even certain
molecules of pollutant gas.
A clear view at all times
One of the strong points of the C3 Pluriel is the
panoramic view of the
exterior available to all the occupants, even in a
closed saloon
configuration.
The vast windscreen offers a clear view of the road
ahead. Enhancing
the impression of onboard space and light, it
provides excellent
visibility.
The four side windows, which are generously sized
with no central
pillar, give passengers a clear view to the side,
even from the rear
seats.
They are electrically controlled and retract fully
into the bodywork.
The rear window controls are placed at the back of
the central console,
where they are easily accessible to occupants at
both front and rear.
For greater safety, a button on the dashboard
disables the rearelectric
window-lifts.
The openwork headrests at front and rearcontribute
to the clear view and friendly design.
A passenger compartment designed to simplify life
on board
The ergonomic driver’s position expresses the
pleasure of travelling onboard the C3 Pluriel:
o the steering wheel is adjustable for height and
reach;
o the height-adjustable driver’s seat is standard;
o the front seats slide back to accommodate even the
tallest people;
o the foot rest provides strong support;
o the raised seating and large glazed areas offer an
excellent view of the road.
Also worth mentioning is the convenient layout of
the controls, two
examples being the audio system controls on the
right-hand stalk
switch, and the paddle switches behind the wheel for
the SensoDrive
gearbox.
The many vast and practical stowage compartments
will also be greatly appreciated.
In addition to the compartments shared with the C3,
on the dashboard in
particular, the C3 Pluriel features two stowage bins
built into the
doors and designed to hold a 1.5l bottle, as well as
two mesh map
pockets fitted to the backrests of the front seats
(with the Techno
pack).
A generously sized, modular boot for day-to-day
use
In a saloon configuration, the boot of the C3
Pluriel has a capacity of
around 266 litres, making it one of the biggest in
its category.
Practical and ingenious, the boot can be accessed in
two different ways:
o by opening the rear window (the parcel shelf
retracts automatically)
for quick access to the contents of the boot, even
if the car is parked
against a wall or close to another vehicle;
o by opening the window and then the tailgate to
create a wide opening (93 cm) for access to the
entire boot.
The temporary spare wheel is housed under the boot
lining.
Ingenious solutions
The multilayer soft top has been designed to satisfy
motorists who are used to conventional saloons.
A “high-tech” multilayer soft top
The soft top is made up of multiple layers for
insulation and strength.
It is reinforced by a number of metal cross-members,
which tighten and
stiffen the whole. In addition to its acoustic and
thermal insulation
properties, the roof is also watertight in all
circumstances, even when
the car goes through a car wash.
With its stiff structure and arches, precisely
fitted parts, efficient
roof guidance mechanism and double insulation side
seals, the C3
Pluriel keeps out both noise and water.
Well designed fittings
Looking at the car from the outside, in a saloon
configuration, the
soft top offers a flawless fit with the vehicle
structure. It creates a
line of perfect continuity with the upper structure
of the vehicle, in
terms of both shape and colour.
Inside the car, the colour of the roof matches the
trim of the windscreen pillars and arches.
Easy-care materials adapted to requirements
The exterior of the soft-top roof is made of PVC of
excellent quality,
welded to a reinforced textile frame. Although it
looks like a
“conventional” textile roof, it features a number of
improvements:
o proven durability and colour resistance over time,
o no slow impregnation of damp (welds not seams),
o easy to clean with a brush or sponge.
A family look and specific styling
The strong, fluid lines and generous volumes of the
C3 Pluriel create a harmonious whole.
The styling subtly indicates membership of the C3
family, while the specific bodywork gives the car
its own personality.
o The protective lines of the bumper bring leisure
activities to mind.
o The brand showcases its name through the large
chevrons on the
rounded bonnet and the chrome-plated lettering
stretching along the
entire width of the rear window.
o The characteristic shape of the headlamps,
positioned high up on the wings, give the C3 Pluriel
an animated look.
o The aluminium rear-light cluster – identifiable at
a glance – adds relief and character.
o The indicators, which take an original “drop of
light” shape,
underline the unusual character of this car and the
attention given to
each detail.
o The elegant curve of the arches highlights the
glazed surface area
and the absence of a central pillar. This layout
creates a perception
of interior space and visibility, including at the
rear.
The side arches are either light grey (Aluminium) or
dark grey
(Fulminator) depending on the body colour. This
two-tone colour scheme
of the body and arches accentuates the unusual
volumes of the C3
Pluriel and highlights its potential as a
convertible.
The size of the C3 Pluriel also attracts attention,
particularly its
height of 1.56 m (three centimetres more than the
C3).
Measuring 3.93 m in length and 1.70 m in width, it
is placed squarely at the top end of its category.
C3 Pluriel: from day to day
C3 Pluriel Cabriolet - In the light of day
The Saloon, the Panoramic Saloon and now the
Cabriolet
The soft top folds down fully onto the rear window
to create a “roof
cartridge” that retracts fully into the bottom of
the rear compartment.
This simple manual operation takes just a few
seconds.
The driver simply retracts the electrically
controlled soft top, opens
the rear window and tailgate, unlocks the module
made up of the folded
soft top, rear window and parcel shelf (referred to
collectively as the
roof cartridge), and slides it into the stowage
compartment at the back
of the boot.
This manœuvre is facilitated by the presence of
balancing cylinders,
which accompany the rotary movement of the
cartridge.
Installing the removable boot floor protects the
roof cartridge. The upper part of the boot can then
be safely used.
With its open yet protective styling, the cabriolet
version of the C3 Pluriel is unique on the
automotive market.
A new personality
This configuration highlights the elegant arches and
the absence of a
central pillar, clearly identifying the personality
of the C3 Pluriel.
The open interior conveys an immediate impression of
freedom: the
arches running the length of the body do not disrupt
the field of
vision at either front or rear.
An interior design scheme that is both original and
attractive
Inspired by the concepts of leisure and open-air
pursuits, the interior
styling creates strong visual links between the
vehicle interior and
exterior, with the friendly, fluid lines of the
passenger compartment
flowing from front to rear.
The interior features the same colour as the
bodywork: colour insets
with fluid lines adorn the trim panels and even the
backs of the front
seats (with the Techno pack).
Linking the front and the rear of the passenger
compartment, a wishbone
(arm rest and grab handles) runs along the inner
panels of the doors,
bringing to mind the world of water sports.
The dashboard, shared with the C3 saloon, features
aluminium-coloured
air vents and a steering wheel hoop of exclusive
design.
Visible protection
The presence of the side arches, together with the
high windscreen
pillar and waist line, endow the C3 Pluriel with a
level of protection
rarely seen on cabriolets.
The body arches feature a built-in aluminium
reinforcement tube, 55 mm
in diameter and 4 mm thick, thus providing effective
protection for all
four occupants in the event of rollover in either a
saloon or cabriolet
configuration. The sizing of the arches and their
anchoring with the
structure have already been validated through TÜV
tests compliant.
A cleverly designed boot
In this configuration, the roof cartridge is stored
in the lower part of the boot.
A removable floor separates the two parts of the
boot so that the upper
part (around 137 litres) can be used easily. With
its internal
honeycomb structure, the boot floor is both easy to
handle and highly
resistant (100 kg load).
The split/fold back rests make it easy to extend the
volume of the rear
compartment. This compartment can also be closed
using a removable boot
lid, delivered as standard. The lid can be placed in
the bottom of the
boot when the top is up. This is designed to protect
the contents of
the boot from prying eyes.
C3 Pluriel: from
day to day
C3 Pluriel 4 seater Spider – For red-letter days
Taking modular design one step further, the C3
Pluriel also features
removable side arches that transforms the car into a
steek roadster: the Spider.
Even if this operation is performed only
occasionally, it takes one
person less than a minute to turn the C3 Pluriel
into a 4-seater
roadster. The user simply unlocks the arches at
front and rear in order
to disconnect them from the structure.
This feature is a true world first. To make it
possible, Citroën
developed new technical solutions to meet this
challenge in design.
At the front, the arch is anchored in the windscreen
pillar. It is
locked by a toggle mechanism that fastens onto a
steel hook integral
with the upper structure of the vehicle.
The rear locking system comprises a hinged hook that
locks onto a
forged ring integral with the structure of the arch.
A telescopic
handle located on either side of the boot unlocks
the arch anchoring
mechanism at the rear.
These mechanisms combine great s trength with
simplicity of use.
A body style of pure lines
This function, the last in the modular adaptations
of the bodywork,
reveals the C3 Pluriel in yet another new and
unexpected guise.
The design of the C3 Pluriel Spider highlights the
purity of its
styling lines and adds a cheerful, lively facet to
its personality. It
is an invitation for four people to experience open
air driving
sensations.
Easy-to-handle arches
Made of aluminium alloy, the arches are stiff but
light. Weighing
around 12 kg, the side arches are easy to handle
while maintaining the
stiffness and qualities of resistance necessary for
the sliding the
roof to and fro, and protecting the occupants in the
event of rollover.
Two cover plates on the inside of the bonnet hide
the anchoring points when the arches are removed.
A protective structure
The structure of the C3 Pluriel has been reinforced
in several areas:
o the windscreen pillars are fitted with large
diameter tubes made of
high-strength steel o the backrests and headrests of
the rear seat
feature a built in reinforcement tube of 40 mm in
diameter, which
creates a virtually uncrushable supporting area at
the rear.
Open-air driving comfort
The high windscreen and the fixed window in front of
the door window
create a protective bubble that protects the
occupants from buffeting
air currents when driving with the roof down.
Open-air accessories
A range of complementary accessories are available
from the Citroën
network so that users can enjoy the open-air
configuration to the full:
protective covers for storing the side arches and a
tonneau cover to
protect the car without the arches if it is parked
outside in the rain.
C3 Pluriel: from day to day
C3 Pluriel Spider Pick-up - One day or another
The C3 Pluriel Spider offers a level of practical
convenience
never seen before on a convertible.
The rear compartment of the C3 Pluriel boasts
exceptional loading capacity.
The backrests can be folded down independently
thanks to their built-in
seat belts. This frees up a flat surface running
from the tailgate to
the backs of the front seats (1,180 mm in length).
In this way, the C3 Pluriel Spider turns instantly
into a “Spider Pick-up”.
The tailgate opens downwards, thus providing broad
access. This creates
a wide space for placing heavy objects (up to 100
kg) and sliding them
forwards on the flat floor.
Functional design for all configurations
A first on the market, even on the saloon segment,
this function was
designed for the many everyday situations in which
we all wish we had a
car whose rear compartment was bigger, more open or
simply more
accessible.
The “pick-up” function – available in any vehicle
configuration – is well adapted to open
configurations because the rear compartment has an
open structure and so does not limit loading height.
A flat, resistant surface
The loading surface of the rear compartment is made
up of folded
backrests, the removable boot floor and the open
tailgate.
All these parts have been designed to:
o maintain overall continuity,
o resist loads of 100 kg.
This flat, resistant surface makes it easy to load
heavy or cumbersome
objects. Moreover, four metal rings in the side of
the rear compartment
can be used to anchor objects above the boot floor.
A well adapted rear seat
Extremely resistant owing to the reinforcements
provided for rollover
protection, the two backrests of the rear seat can
be easily folded in
a single movement, thanks to their built-in
unlocking mechanism.
The seat-integrated belts also contribute to easy
handling.
C3 Pluriel:
from the concept to the product
The development of a concept
At the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show, Citroën unveiled
the Pluriel
demonstration vehicle, an original car with a host
of configurations.
The objective for Citroën was to make the transition
from concept car
to production vehicle without losing the initial
character of the car
and without making concessions to the needs of mass
production. To do
this, the brand had to design the technical
solutions that would make
it possible to offer several different
configurations on the same
vehicle.
The development of the C3 involved almost 150
people, mainly in design and process engineering.
A total of €202 million has been invested in the
programme, of which:
o €85.4 million in capital expenditure,
o €116.6 million in design and development,
prototypes and market launch.
The platform 1 organisation, set up by the PSA
Peugeot Citroën Group
and inaugurated by the C3, also contributed to the
C3 Pluriel project.
Although the two vehicles are clearly
differentiated, they share almost 60% of their
parts.
Villaverde, assembly site for the C3 Pluriel
Located near Madrid (in Spain), close to main road
and rail
communication routes, the Villaverde plant produces
three models for
Citroën: the Xsara, the C3 and the C3 Pluriel.
The site has an area of 74.5 hectares and total
production capacity of
38.7 vehicles/hour with three shifts (3,360 people
producing the three
models). In 2002, 123,382 vehicles were produced at
Villaverde, of
which more than 60% were for export markets.
The total installed production capacity of the C3
Pluriel at Villaverde
is 320 vehicles/day. This means that the site could
produce 75,000
vehicles over a full year.
Two new bases have been set up for the assembly of
the C3 Pluriel:
o a 2,000 m2 pilot workshop to produce prototypes
and pre-series
vehicles. By faithfully reproducing the assembly
conditions of
production vehicles, this workshop made it possible
to study the
solutions necessary for manufacture.
o a quality control area of 2,500 m2 at the end of
the assembly line in
order to conduct – on each vehicle – a series of
functional checks on
all the parts linked to the specific design of the
C3 Pluriel concept.
Production
Stamping/body assembly
The specific characteristics of the C3 Pluriel and
the absence of a
fixed upper structure posed a technical challenge
for Citroën. In
response, the brand put in place special
reinforcements: side members
with thick lining parts, cross-members with large
cross-sections to box
the subframe in several places, and a host of
special steel
reinforcements on the opening panels.
For rollover protection, the C3 Pluriel is fitted
with thick,
large-diameter tubes placed inside the windscreen
pillars and inside
the seat frames and back rests at the rear.
In response to these specific characteristics,
Citroën put in place a
new, specific body assembly/final assembly process,
with the creation
of a parallel line for fitting all the subframe
reinforcements.
Body colours: eight plain, metallic and pearlescent
shades
The C3 Pluriel is incorporated with existing paint
shop flows. Only the
colour Aérien Orange is specific to this vehicle.
Final assembly
Special final assembly procedures have been put in
place with a view to enhancing quality:
o The windows of the doors are adjusted outside the
vehicle. The doors
are removed and taken to a preparation line for
adjustment of the
windows before being remounted on the car.
o Sealing is checked car by car. Each vehicle spends
2 min. 45 sec in a
“tropical” shower. With 30 mm of rain per minute per
10 m_, 825 litres
of water are poured onto each C3 Pluriel and
recycled for the following
vehicle.
o Rigorous quality control is performed at the end
of the line in order to check – on each
vehicle – operation of all the parts specific to the
C3 Pluriel
concept: windows, sunroof, side arch mechanisms and
locking.
o The operation and dynamic behaviour of each
vehicle is checked on a
test track with several sections simulating extreme
conditions
(cobblestones, hills, etc.).
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