Following Peugeot’s preview of its all-new posh-looking 108 city car, Citroën replies with its C1 sibling, which is set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The C1 is essentially the same car as the 108 and the Toyota Aygo, but with differently styled ends – especially up front, where the angry face makes the C1 difficult to ignore. Citroën may describe the C1’s face as “cheerful”, but to me it doesn’t look that friendly.

The car features two sets of headlights, two round ones that remind of the Fiat 500 and two angry-looking “eyebrows” above them. The front end also includes vertical LED daytime running lights in the lower part of the bumper. The profile and rear end of the C1 are similar to the Peugeot, with the only significant differences being the different graphics of the taillights and the black painted A-pillar.

Just like the 108, the Citroën C1 will be available in three- and five-door versions, with an open-top bodystyle called Airscape also to be introduced (800 mm x 760 mm soft top). Further imitating its brother, the Citroën will be available in bi-color versions with brightly colored interiors.

The C1 shares the dimensions with the 108, being 3,460mm (136.2in) long, 1,620mm (63.8in) wide and 1,450mm (57in) tall. It weighs the same too, from 840 kg (1,851 lbs). The car has a 4.80m (189in) turning circle and features electric power steering for easy handling. Citroën says ride comfort is improved as well compared to the previous generation thanks to a rear axle that is 4 kg (8.8lbs) lighter, new suspension springs, new shock absorbers and a new large-diameter anti-roll bar.

Just like Peugeot, Citroën hasn’t released photos of the interior yet, but said the C1 also receives a 7-inch Touch Driver Interface and Mirror Screen technology used to copy and run smartphone apps from the touchscreen. The little Citroën can be fitted with keyless entry and start, as well as a reversing camera and hill-start assist.

The C1 features a 196-liter (6.92 cu-ft) boot, with volume increasing to 780 liters (27.5 cu-ft) with the rear seats folded.

Citroën will offer the C1 with two 3-cylinder petrol models, the Toyota-sourced 68hp 1.0-liter e-VTi 68 Airdream engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and featuring Stop&Start technology, and the 82hp 1.2-liter VTi 82. The latter produces 118 Nm (87 lb-ft) of torque and averages 4.3 l/100 km (54.7 mpg US), with CO2 emissions of 99 g/km. The 0-100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration takes 11 seconds.

By Dan Mihalascu

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