With buyers increasingly concerned about looks and styling, the French should be salivating at the prospect of competing in an area where they've always had a certain flair for originality.
In a market that's been filleted into so many niches it's hard to know who is competing against whom, Citroën has added its C2 as a three-door complementary model to its C3 range in the small car market.
This time it's about appealing to the youth market, and to win here, it's all about looks. Aimed at younger and first-time buyers it's a welcome replacement for the Saxo, which had little or no "street-cred".
While it shares the same platform as the C3, the C2 features bolder styling and a shorter wheelbase. Paul Keegan of Citroën's Irish importers, Gallic Distributors, accepts the C2 will be a limited sell, given that 83 per cent of small car sales in Ireland are in five-door format. However, he's confident of getting about 800 sales next year and aims to bring Citroën's share of the small car market up from 4.1 per cent to 6.6 per cent.
The most distinctive feature of the new C2 are the angular rear windows, and the rear lights. The tapering lines certainly make it stand out from its more bulbous sibling, the C3. Citroën clearly recognise that if they are aiming it at the young buyers these days, looks are all important and that's what will win it some favour over more functional yet frumpy competitors.
Inside it does feel spacious, with Citroën boasting of more elbow room and height than many of its competitors, though we have to admit it didn't strike us as leagues ahead of competitors. Interior finish is along the lines of several newcomers to the market - a little loud for maturing audience with bubbly plastics and garish fabrics. But there are no rattles and the car feels well finished, though the roof lining seems a little below par. Overall, first-timers may find it funky.
Aside from aesthetics, the seats are comfortable if a little tight in the back. An added attraction is the height adjustment for the driver, plus a steering wheel that adjusts for reach and rake. The rear seats can also slide forward as well as fold down, thereby increasing luggage space, if only a relatively minor amount.
There are two engines coming here initially: 1.1-litre and a 1.4-litre, the latter available only with the SensoDrive six-speed automatic transmission. This may prove popular with the Playstation generation which like the idea of changing gear via steering column-mounted paddles. It's a worthwhile addition to a range designed for the youth market. If things go well for the C2 we may see a 1.4-litre turbodiesel on the market, but that will likely depend on the growth of that market here over the next few years.
Behind the wheel and the 1.1-litre offers an eager performance, and at €13,950 is well equipped to offer those seeking stylish budget motoring another option. It will make up the bulk of Irish sales, about 70 per cent, with the remainder going to the 1.4-litre Sensodrive version at €16,500.
