What they said when the Citroen C3 Pluriel was new… (Jun 2 2003)
THOSE EVER-so-clever people at Citroen have come up with the niche model to end them all; a car which is, in fact, four niche models in one.
In fact, the new C3 Pluriel isn't so much an automobile as a morphmobile.
In just a few moments, the Pluriel can be transformed from a sensible family runabout into a sexy open top, four-seat cabriolet - and that's not the only trick it has up its stylish sleeve.
If you need to carry bulky objects or just take some garden rubbish to the tip, the Pluriel is up to the job, morphing into a funky two-seater pick up truck in moments.
It is, arguably, the world's first true multi-mode vehicle; capable of meeting a variety of requirements which can reflect your needs - or your mood. It can do sensible and it can do fun; it can be almost anything you want it to be.
It's a triumph of both form and function and it's all thanks to some really clever engineering that marks a return by Citroen to the spirit of adventure which once typified the brand, but which has been largely buried since the merger with Peugeot to form the giant PSA Group.
The C3 Pluriel is a bit like a construction kit for grown ups. Various bits of the car can be moved, removed, folded away or stored to transform its configuration - along with its character
and its functionality.
With the multi-layered, steel reinforced, fabric roof in place it is a fully functional, weatherproof supermini. Rear seat legroom is passable but would certainly be on the tight side for taller adults - it's much more than a two-plus-two but falls a little short of being a comfortable long distance cruiser for four. Boot space is a different matter, however, and the luggage bay is amongst the biggest in the supermini class, even with the rear seats in place.
When the sun shines, the electrically operated roof can be opened fully and retracted into a recess in the luggage area. Even with the roof stored, there's plenty of luggage space remaining.
And if you're really confident that it isn't going to rain, you can remove the arched side rails and leave them behind in your garage. If the heavens do open, you're in trouble, however - for in this mode it is not possible to put the roof up again. In case that does happen, the Pluriel comes with waterproof upholstery and you can buy a tonneau cover as part of a £150 kit which also incudes bags and a stand for storing the side rails.
If you're into activities like surfing, or just need to shift some furniture, you can drop the rear seats to form a completely flat floor which provides sufficient space for all your leisure gear or those flat-pack essentials from Ikea. A fold-down rear hatch helps loading and can be used to further extend the load bed.
The roof folds into what Citroen calls a "cassette" which pivots to fold away below the boot floor and the side rails simply clip out. Sounds simple enough, but it is a bit fiddly and Citroen has sensibly provided a separate instruction book to help owners come to grips with the various switches, buttons and catches which have to be mastered.
It's all clever stuff, and while the fully open mode will clearly be more suited to posing on the Cote d'Azur than a family day out in Cleethorpes, Citroen believes that the tremendous flexibility and adaptability of the Pluriel will make it a hit with trendy, young buyers.
Although it is based on the C3, every body panel is different and the Pluriel is even curvier and more funky than the car on which it is based.
Dare-to-be-different design themes are backed up by a range of bright, attention-grabbing colours and two tone paint finishes, and continue through to the interiors which are bright and brash with lots of aluminium effect highlights and body-coloured trim panels on the door cappings and front seat backs.
On the road performance hardly seems to matter with this car - it's more about promenading than powering around country lanes. But the Pluriel is pretty closely matched to the C3 on which it is based.
With the top fully down and the windows up, the Pluriel is surprisingly draught-free for front seat passengers, but provides a real wind-in-the-hair experience for those in the rear. With the roof closed, noise levels are pretty much on a par with the tin-top C3.
Only two petrol engines are available at launch - a somewhat lack-lustre 1.4 which is just about up to the job of hauling the C3 around (it's 150kg heavier than a standard C3) and a more sprightly 1.6. The latter is only available with Citroen's Sensodrive clutchless manual/auto transmission which offers race-car style fingertip gear selection.
Both versions come with four airbags, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency braking assistance, electric windows all round, powered door mirrors, CD player, fully adjustable steering column and remote control central locking with deadlocks. The 1.6 version also has alloy wheels and an anti-theft alarm.
The Pluriel will compete against a rapidly growing car park of "designer" mini-convertibles, including the Ford Streetka and the Peugeot 206CC.
It boasts one huge advantage over both - tight though space in the back may be, it is a full four seater while the Streetka is strictly for two, and the Peugeot is little more than a two-plus-two.
But the final clincher will be the price - the Pluriel 1.4 costs just £11,995 on the road while the 1.6 will set you back £13,595.
It's a lot of cars for the money.
Words: David Whinyates
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