One to watch

Citroen has solved that problem by simply offering better valueas you'll find if you compare prices. That leaves the C2 overlap,partly solved by equipping that car with a wider range of engines.It does mean C1 buyers only get a single choice when it comes toeither petrol or diesel powerplants, but more than Toyota or Peugeotoffer in their city car alternatives.

As a C1 buyer, you get either an improved 68bhp 1.0i petrol unitor a 54bhp 1.4-litre HDi diesel. Five-speed manual gearboxes arefitted as standard. Both the engines have something to be said forthem but the petrol unit that most choose does feel more willing andrevvy.

Citroen's C1 shares its design but not always its tight pricing,with Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107 stablemates that roll down the sameproduction lines.

It's a clever design that maximises space and offers theadvantage of a five-door option over the similarly-sized C2.

Styling enhancements and small improvements to fuel consumptionand emissions make the latest version particularly attractive.

If you were under the impression that Citroen's sub-supermini-sized C2 was the French maker's offering in the city car sector,you'd be wrong. That position is occupied by this car, the C1. It'smore affordable than the similarly-sized C2 and offers the option offive as well as three doors. Leaving aside the headache that mustgive Citroen dealers, there's also the issue of how it candifferentiate itself from the re-badged versions of this The C1'sexterior has been given a smart upgrade, with changes to the frontend, complementing the looks of the updated C2.

List prices (in this case the typical Pounds 7,000 to Pounds9,000 bracket common to this class) are only the starting point fornegotiation but on a car this inexpensive, the dealer will have lessto play with in terms of discounts.

Where the C1 scores an almost unbeatable mark is in the field ofcost of ownership. The 1.0i 68hp petrol engine emits less CO2 thanany other petrol powerplant on sale in the UK, boasting lowered CO2emissions of just 106g/km (2.7 per cent better than before), and acombined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 62.8mpg (2.1per centbetter). At 22p per mile over a typical three-year ownership period,an entry-level C1 1.0 is one of the least expensive cars it'spossible to run.

For more information on the Citroen range contact HartwellCitroen, Bath on 0870 9049170 or visit www.hartwell.co.uk/Bath.