WHEN it comes to discounts and cashbacks on new cars Citroen is in a league of its own, sometimes with thousands of pounds up for grabs.
It has reached the point where the advertised price at dealers is largely irrelevant and you simply make an offer.
In the case of the C2 model this means that the sticker price of £7,995 for the entry-level 1.1-litre L three-door model translates into an actual transaction price of less than £6,000.
That is not a huge amount to pay for such a car but the downside is that the hefty discounts play havoc with depreciation.
This is something to bear in mind when choosing the C2 in preference to rival models that cost more initially but hold their value better in the long term.
In the case of the C2 the French designers have lifted innovation to new heights, with a degree of interior flexibility that is unrivalled.
Featuring seats that slide and fold, recline and stack, and even a split tailgate, the C2 caters for occupants of all shapes and sizes, with the potential for plenty of luggage space to boot.
It looks distinctive, is great to drive, really roomy inside and comes with a wide range of engines and equipment levels.
In 1.1-litre form there are L, Design, SX and Furio models with sticker prices ranging from £7,995 to £9,195. Those with a 1.4-litre engine range from £8,795 to £9,695 and there is a 1.6-litre SensoDrive model weighing in at £11,195 in VTR guise. There is also a 1.4-litre diesel option, with prices ranging from 8,795 to £10,295.
Citroen says it aimed to give the C2 as funky an image as possible in a bid to attract younger buyers and it has succeeded. The market is currently awash with the sort of short and tall superminis that appeal mainly to older buyers so the C2 is radically different.
Offering just four seats, like Audi's A2, the C2 boasts a range of bright, modern interior design schemes including orange, blue and green for the colour-coded trim and matching translucent gear knob and armrests.
Clever stuff, too, from Citroen sees the introduction of those rear sliding and folding rear seats for enhanced versatility.
As well as providing more elbowroom than conventional five-seat superminis, this configuration also provides a combination of decent legroom or good boot space.
Innovation continues in the boot of the car where there is a split tailgate with glass that hinges like a hatchback and a drop-down lower tailgate with its own storage compartment.
Depending on the model, equipment includes air conditioning, electronic parking assistance, remote stereo controls, multi-adjustable steering wheel, an onboard computer, light-sensitive headlamps, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers and a speed warning system.
The C2 had a tough act to follow as a replacement for the Saxo but it has succeeded.
One of the best small cars in its class, the only real advice is to haggle for Britain in order to secure the sort of discount that the dealers are able but reluctant to part with.
FAST FACTS
Citroen C2 1.1i L 3dr
Price: £7,995
Mechanical: 61bhp, 1,124cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 98mph
0-62mph: 14.4 secs
Combined mpg: 48.7
Insurance group: 1
CO2 emissions: 138g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs antirust; 3yrs paint