C1 - Terje's cars

The Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108 are discontinued, while the Toyota Aygo X comes in a brand new, trendy, high-built crossover version. We take a closer look at the discontinued models that will be found in the used car market in the future.

Cleans the model program

The decision to sacrifice the two PSA models is a consequence of the merger between PSA and Fiat-Chrysler. Stellantis wants to secure the Fiat Panda and Fiat 500's positions in the market. These models are more important for Fiat than what the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108 are to PSA. This leaves PSA without any model in the A segment. Citroen fills the gap with the following two models: The new all-electric AMI, which is a moped car with a battery capacity of 5,5 kWh, a range of 75 km and a top speed of 45 km/h. In addition, Citroen has launched a toned-down version of the C3, called the C3 You, with a PureTech 82 HP engine and manual transmission. It has simpler decor, simpler seat covers and a scaled-down infotainment system, but the same level of safety as the other C3 variants.

Toyota's factory

The collaboration between PSA and Toyota has included the models Citroen C1, Peugeot 107/108 and Toyota Aygo. They are manufactured in the same factory with identical technical components. If you look closely at the seams of the cars, it says "Toyota" on several of the parts. There is a lot of Toyota in them, and a year ago Toyota took over ownership of the factory in Kolin, Czech Republic. There they will produce the new Aygo X and Yaris.

Aygo X as a crossover

The new Aygo X - "X" stands for cross - is built on the same platform as the Yaris. With a total length of 370 cm, width of 174 cm and 18-inch wheels, it is large for its class. The engine is basically the same as in the Aygo, but now adapted to new European environmental requirements. The new Aygo X is no boring Toyota. It has sharp, modern lines and app solutions aimed at young, café latte-drinking, urban people. It is offered in 4 different spice colors – Cardamom, Chili, Ginger and Juniper. The signature model is made in a limited edition - made in "Cardamom" with decorative elements in "Matte Mandarina".

Toyota largest of the three

In the last 3-4 years, new car sales of Citroen C1, Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo have been very modest in Norway. In the rest of Europe, on the other hand, Aygo has had good sales figures with almost 100 cars sold in 000. Of the three models, Aygo has accounted for 2019% of sales, while Citroen C50 and Peugeot 1 have each accounted for 108%. The same relationship was present in Norway.

Used cars

At the moment there are 178 used cars of the mini trio from the Czech Republic for sale on Finn.no. As a used car, you can get a simple, reliable car with low mileage for around NOK 30. The Toyota Aygo is generally more expensive than the other two models for no real reason. All three models are produced on the same assembly line. According to TÜV reports from 000 to 2015, the three models come out better than average. Almost all the cars for sale have the same 2019-litre engine with 1,0 cylinders and timing chain. Newer cars could be delivered with 3 VTi engines - also those with 1,0 cylinders and a timing chain. They provide 3 HP instead of 72 HP. In Europe, cars were sold with a 69 diesel engine producing 1,4 HP. These have a timing belt - not a chain. Some cars have an automatic transmission, which is an unsophisticated, robotic, manual 54-speed transmission solution. It shifts hard and erratically and is not suitable for driving on icy and snowy roads. Is not recommended.

Known error

Faults that reoccur more often than other cars are a worn clutch and water penetrating the passenger compartment. Some owners experience water coming in from the roof, others from the boot. There has also been a warranty repair due to poorly glued rear windows.

Model history

The models were produced from 2005 to 2022. In that time, 3 upgrades were made. The first for model year 2009, then 2012 and a major change for 2014. Peugeot went by the model name 107 until 2014, when it changed its name to 108. The changes consisted of visual changes, interior controls and seat upholstery. The changes in 2014 included improvements to the rear suspension and the option of a hill start holder.

On the road

Although the 1-litre engine does not perform all the world's best on paper, it is experienced as responsive and nimble with good traction at low revs so that you rarely need to push the engine. The gearbox is suitable for quick shifting, the steering is light, and with a hill start holder - both easy to drive and fun to drive. It is well suited for training new drivers. In terms of space, it is a 2+2, not a 4-seater. The driver's seat with fixed headrest is surprisingly comfortable even for tall people. The sound level is higher than in the classes above, without being particularly annoying.

Facts about the 2014 Citroen C1

Length, width, height: 347 x 162 x 146 cm
Wheelbase: 234 cm
Own weight: 855 kg
Net weight: 310 kg
Engine: 1KR-FE, 998 ccm, 3 cyl, 12V
Power: 69 HP at 6000 rpm
Torque: 95 Nm at 4800 revolutions
Power transmission: 5-speed, front-wheel drive
Front suspension: MacPherson, independent suspension
— rear: semi-independent
Front brakes: Ventilated discs
— behind: Drums
Top speed: 157 km/h
0-100: 14,3 seconds

See

I realize with a smile that this car can be used for much more than Christmas shopping. I'll happily drive anywhere, as long as I don't have to sit in the back seat.

It is Sunday 1st Advent. The Christmas lights in Oslo have been lit for a long time. They cheer us up when darkness falls at three o'clock in the afternoon. Not only will it be nicer to shop in the city, - it will also be nicer to drive there. I use a C1 to do pre-Christmas errands.

The run-up to Christmas involves a lot of driving, especially city driving. Imagine you are looking for a parking space, an unmarked street parking where you can park for free. The point is to find a place that is big enough. You do that with a Citroen C1. And once you've found a space, you park on 1-2-3 with speed-sensitive servo.

Look and feel

The Citroen C1 is one of the very cheapest cars you can buy new. Parked between an Auris and a Corolla it filled its space well. Just a little shorter than the others, specifically a meter shorter than a 4-door Corolla and three quarters of a meter shorter than than the Auris. I like the design. It's modern, tough and functional - and fortunately is no shrunken Auris or Corolla.

I didn't expect the driver's position to be so spacious. Strictly speaking, I didn't have to lower the seat, but now I was sitting like royalty. The seat suited my 1,88 meter body very well. The steering wheel felt good to hold. But this is, after all, a cheap car. All plastic is hard plastic. The sound when you close the driver's door is more metallic than you are used to. The instrument panel looks super cheap, although there is also a tachometer on the side. The handles for the heater also seemed cheap, although they were quite intuitive to use.

I liked the center-mounted color display with touch screen. It gave the whole interior a cool feel.

citroen c1 During the day, the tough vertical LED lights function as daytime running lights. — During the day, the tough vertical LED lights function as running lights.

Driving pleasure

The first thing I noticed was how light the steering was when I steered out of the tight parking spot. It felt like the steering wheel turned on its own and hit full steering wheel travel with a "bang", like a good old Buick. The power steering thus adjusts itself according to speed.

The 1-litre engine produces 68 HP and has a torque of 96 Nm at 4800. It's not all that much on paper, but I not only found the engine to be responsive and nimble - but also that it pulled well at low revs - not just inside in the city, but also out on the road. When I shifted into first - second - third in quick succession, I had 35 km/h on the speedometer. I was surprised at how rarely I needed to push the engine.

The Citroen C1 is incredibly easy to drive. It is easy on the steering, easy on the clutch, easy to shift and the car is held on the ground for a couple of seconds when starting on a hill. The gearbox is in no way reminiscent of previous Citroens, so here it can be thought that the collaboration between Toyota and the PSA group has borne fruit. It is the same drivetrain as in the Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo.

After driving around Oslo and the surrounding area, I would have no qualms about taking this car on a long trip to the cabin in Valdres, - preferably as a driver.

citroen c1 The color screen makes the interior a little cooler. — The color screen makes the interior a little cooler.

Comfort

The seating comfort surprised me, especially how good thigh support and back support I got. The fixed, integrated headrests on the front seats suited me perfectly. The back seat, on the other hand, was difficult to fit in - at least if I had been sitting behind myself. Then the driver had to help by buckling his seat forward a couple of notches. Even then, the comfort for a grown man would be very poor where he would have to sit hunched over. The rear seats are probably better suited for children, but I doubt whether there is room for rear-facing children's seats.

The C1 handled bumps in the road very well for such a small car. Surprisingly good. I think Oslo's streets have improved, but there are still plenty of holes in the asphalt.

In terms of noise, I found the soundscape to be pleasant. Not only when I was rolling through town at low revs, but also when I pushed the engine. If I had had a noise meter, I still think the sound image would have been louder than my subjective perception, because after the trips ended, my ears were still buzzing.

Maybe I had the radio too loud?

citroen c1 Here there is no room for anything other than shopping bags. — Here there is no room for much other than shopping bags.

Place

My first impression when I got into the car was how airy it felt around me. The car did not feel small at all from the driver's seat. This is a car where two people sit comfortably and has plenty of space. The back seat, on the other hand, is not suitable for adults, primarily because of little legroom, but also because of the height above the head.

The luggage space is 180 liters on paper. It is only suitable for carrying things in shopping bags. I think it's possible to place a cabin suitcase there, while other travel bags require you to fold down one of the seat backs, and then the car becomes a three-seater, as long as you don't let the passengers sit with their luggage on their laps.

We must recognize that 3,5 meters is not sufficient to provide two good rows of seats and luggage space. What still impresses me is the good space in the front seats. On paper, the C1 is a 4-seater, but I would characterize it more as 2+2 seats, 2+1 seats with luggage, or 2-seaters with a lot of luggage.

citroen c1 The black tailgate contrasts nicely with the paint color "Gallium gray". — The black tailgate contrasts nicely with the paint color "Gallium gray".

Safety

Compared to the class leader, the Volkswagen Up!, the C1 scores worse in frontal collisions against a barrier, where the driver and front passenger, according to NCAP, risk knee injuries in collisions with the steering column, ignition units and center console. However, NCAP's conclusion states that the passengers in the C1 have very good protection in the event of a side impact, and the C1 actually scores better than the Up! in the event of a frontal collision with a post. What the C1 lacks, like all the other superminis, is the option to order the latest safety equipment such as adaptive cruise control. NCAP emphasizes that stabilization control is standard. There is also ISOFIX in the rear seats and a detachable airbag on the passenger side.

citroen c1 About the size of a towing dinghy. — About the size of a tow dinghy.

Economy

For NOK 129 you can get a brand new Citroen C000. Although it is only a 1 meter car, it is a lot of car for the money. One of C3,5's biggest advantages is the purchase price. But you shouldn't choose a lot of equipment before this price advantage disappears. Then I think it is better to choose a bigger car with less equipment. The Nordic Edition, pictured here, costs 1 more than the base model. It is money well spent and makes the car more attractive as a trade-in car.

The previous model of the C1 has held up well in value. Few cars have had such a low loss in value.

The consumption figures are 0,50 (city) and 0,41 (country road). The figures for new cars with "start & stop" are respectively 0,45 and 0,38.

If someone had measured driving pleasure per meter of car length, I think the C1 would have come up high.

Citroen c1

Incredibly easy to drive, especially in the city
The engine pulls well at moderate revs
Comfortable front seats