' ' i" ■ - 1 . i: »>' i . 46 Clitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, August 14th, 2008 hiitendale.co.uk inotorstoday.co.lik niotorstoday.co.uk hitlendale.co.uk Ciitheroe Advertiser & Times, Thursday, August 14th, 2008 47


CV'


SO far so good. Citroen’s C2 is doing pretty .well fqr, -


the UK to date.. - But in-house competition is -


always something you can do without-and that is just what


' this car has in the shapely form of the little Citroen Cl. ■


. Citroen just a t present,', thank you very much,with ■ more than 50,000 sold in


Can in C2 the re s t ? f Go Skoda, go Simpsons save money


l^ JpN A TH O N CROUCH


mark the top of the range. The. petrol VTS is a 125 b.h.p. car ■


ithat sits above the 110 b.h.p. VTR but has a manual gearbox, whereas the VTR uses a Senso- Drive clutchless set-up. Both of these performance models are powered by Citroen’s 1.6-litre IGvengine.


, '(7 •.


. Can the C2 continue to sell a t : decent levels alongside its small- - er stablemate? The latest pack- : age of revisions should help.- • , ’ These run to a minor restyle,- which has brought what Citroen., hopes is a smarter and more “distinctive” front radiator ? grille and an “imposing” one- - piece front bumper.,


. There are also “cooler” trim


coloprs ' and! - equipment upgrades that now include lat­ eral airbags on many models and features like an MP3-com- patible stereo even on the entry- level C2 Vibe.


. • . ■ To make the purchase deci­


sion easier, the C2 line-up has been simplified to four trim lev­ els - Vibe, Rhythm, VTR and VTS. The clever Stop & Start, model is now more affordable, ; too, thanks to this technology’s availability in budget Rhythm trim. Prices across the range sit in the £8,795 to £13,895 brack­ et.


Although it shares its chassis,


drivetrains and a number .of body and interior parts with the ' larger C3, do not think of this car as merely a scaled down ver­ sion of Citroen’s spherical super­ mini. The styling marks a differ­ ent direction, with a C3-style bulbous nose allied to a far edgi­ er, angular back end. Although to some it might look like the results of two


C7:-


' design studies fused at the door- pillars, it is certainly distinctive.. The side windows adopt a stag­ gered line, while the rear haunches blister out in a pur­ poseful fashion.


- , Seven engines - all borrowed


from the C3 - are offered with-, the C2. A 61 b.h.p. 1.1-litre opens proceedings, but the-mid- range 75 b.h.p. 1.4-litre petrol also looks good value, priced from £9,410.


, ■ A 90 b.h.p. IG-valve version of ,


: The alternative is the VTS HDi, which gets a 1.6-litre 110 - b.h.p. diesel unit. If you want a more affordable sporty-looking! C2, there are also 1.4-litre petrol and diesel versions of the V.TR. - With'lO b.h.p. more than its_


Saxo predecessor and a whole bunch more standard equip­ ment, the 1.6-litre 110 b.h.p. VTR model, which most cus­ tomers in this sector choose, looks reasonable value. The petrol VTS is:the quickest C2, with a 0-60 m.p.h. sprint of 8.1 econds and a l26 m.p.h. top speed, but the VTS HDi is not far behind with a 9.4 second 0- ■ 60 m.p.h. sprint. • Both cars emphasise their


performance with an aggressive bodykit, bold VTS badging and a set of 16in. alloy wheels. - . The five-speed manual trans­


mission from the C3 is the default choice on most of the engines, but many C2s are also available with the SensoDrive gearbox, which Citroen claims is “rally style”.


. This four-speed sequential


gearbox boasts advanced elec­ tronics that attempt to learn different driving styles, while a flick of the lever allows the driv­ er to make “manual” changes without the need for a clutch pedal.


Although the shift responses


may, disappoint Lewis Hamil­ ton, the gearbox is certainly game enough and will blip the throttle on downchanges when you are in the mood, defaulting back to an automatic mode ; when you are not. - The current models feature


this unit is also available with ■ Stop & Start technology,.which . turns the engine off when the vehicle is stationary to save fuel, i restarting it again when it is time to move off. For ultimate economy, the 1.4-litre HDi.models (from


- £9,410) will be the first port of -' call, while the:VTS versions •


classier shifters, with a lever which slots into position rather than centring itself, once each mode has been selected and steering wheel paddles with-, more of asolid feel. ■ The VTR might be over shadowed by the VTS, but it certainly looks the part with colour-keyed bumpers and a subtle sill’n’spoiler kit. . Whichever C2 model you opt ' for, you will find a car that max-


dmises its use of available space" ;very effectiyely. Despite.being even shorter than the old Saxo, • it is easily able to seat four in


P


comfort. Lessons have,been learned from the reception given to the C3 interior and the C2 adopts many of the funkier styling touches, such as the ven­ tilation system and the bar rev , counter, and introduces a few of its own. Interior materials quality has


. ■


been improved where possible and thete is a wide range of trim , choices from sober monotones, right up to the most extrovert, two-tone designs. The steering adjusts for rake


and reach in all versions, while plusher trims also get a height- adjustable seat. - Few. will have any cause for


complaint given the amount of space in the front of the cabin.


as it feels no smaller than the C3, a.car already renowned for its spaciousness. Like the C3, the C2 gets a can


holder ahead of the gear lever, as well as generously-proportioned door bins that can accommo­ date a 500ml bottle of pop. Access to the rear is not bad


and Citroen has displayed admirable pragmatism in failing


■to pretend that the C2 is any­ thing other than a four-seater. So many small cars cram three belts in across the back and end up trussing occupants up like a, leg of lamb, but the two rear seats of the C2 are well sculpted and respectable in terms of knee and shoulder room; although taller passengers may feel the


sloping roof impinges on their coif. Opt for upspecification mod­


els and the rear seats indiyidual- ly slide, recline, fold and tumble. 'This allows the owner to opti­ mise luggage or passenger space by sliding the seats on runners, but in order to fold the rear seats fully flat, the front ones need to be run a long way for­ ward, precluding this possibility for long legged drivers and front ■ passengers. . -


• All versions nevertheless get a


tailgate that splits into two sec­ tions to ease loading in tight spots. Overall, with a number of


safety features that include hvin front and side airbags on all


models and , power-assisted- steering across the range, the 02 still looks to be a decent buy.


, Sophisticated electronics functions like automatic wipers and headlamps, rear parking sensors and folding rear mirrors will also be available if you are prepared to dip into the wallet. ■ ,, Although the styling may divide opinion and the lack of


' three rear seats may strike it off the list of some, the C2 remains a very welcome option in a mar- ■ ketsector populated with a lot of mediocrity.,


Can it appeal to both the •


budget buying family and the genuine enthusiast? We suspect the answer will continue to prove to be affirmative.


IF you are looking for a new 58 plate for less than £7,000, then the new Renault Clio Campus- might be just what you are look- ingfor.


: , , •■ ■ Available at Kitchens Renault,-


A new Renault for under £7k!


of Trafalgar Street; Burnley, the Clio Campus is available for only £6,998. , ■


paint, power assisted steering and a CD player.


This includes free metallic • '


Kitchens- dealer Foil i¥Eii¥Tiiiiy6 HEiyAyor


For the latest off er%iuisi|: ^ w w w . f i k i t c l i e i i . G o . u k


principal ' David Blackadder is pleased to be able to offer such a value added age.' :


'■ He expained; “The


campus is just one example'of the superb -value for money offers available , from


Renault.” , ; To find out more


visit www.dkitchen. co.uk or call on 01282 43331L.'


^C


T900 I £1801.28 r£6098.72 I £99 ‘ | £3359.77 :,r.,| £754.78 | £60.^ tTypICal 6.9% APR BM


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OVER 90 QUALITY , USED CARS IN GROUP STOCK


OpbonU b m


'ARE your motoring costs spiralling out of


control? If the answer is yes, then


why not look at the excit­ ing Skoda range at Simp­ sons.


Designed with Volkswa­


gen engineering expertise and built with Skoda's leg­ endary strength, they offer


THE.Fabia Greenline


low initial cost, minimal running costs and out­


standing fuel efficiency. Now combine that with


the winning team at Simp­ sons, one of Lancashire's few remaining family motor businesses, and you


' are on to a winner. The Skoda range starts


with the Fabia, which is available in both five-door


hatchback and estate body


styles. The recent addition to


the range, the Fabia Greenline, can achieve an amazing 69 m.p.g., while producing only 109g/km of CO2


tax band B, with a charge of only £35 per year. All of this is achieved by changes to the engine and


improvements mOTc to the


Fabia's aerodynamics. Panels fitted to the


. This puts it into road,


underside of the car and different positioning of the front bumper help air to flow more 'efficiently around the vehicle. - Combined, they give the


Fabia Greenline its low fuel consumption, and Skoda claim it has the ability to cover 689 miles between refuelling stops. This is an increase in


range of 75 miles over the standard 1.4-litre TDI Skoda Fabia 2 on which the Greenline is based. Roomster adds another


dimension with its imagi­ native use of space in con­ junction with proven Fabia engines and transmissions.


: Next in the range is the ■Octa'via, again available in both hatchback and estate form. An extensive range of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines compliments therange. Currently, Skoda is offer-


THE Simpsons premises In Burnley Road, Colne, o


ing the opportunity to upgrade to the next trim level in the same engine size at no extra cost. This represents addition­


al customer value of £ 1,000. Top-of-the-range VRs


models get dual zone air conditioning, 18in. alloy


wheels and rear electric windows, again at no extra cost. The flagship of the


range, the all-new Superb, is due out in mid-Septem­ ber. The motoring press are already extolling the virtues of this car even before it goes on sale in the


UK. If you would like fur­ ther information on Skoda, visit the website www. simpsonsskoda.co.uk or call in to Boundary Garage, Burnley Road, Colne, just two minutes from the new Boundary Mill store. Tel: 01282 864266.


* - .5 \ km '5 )


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• Only £35 per Year Road Tax • Potential Fuel Savings of Over £2000* •3 Years 0<


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New Fabia Greenline TDi 1.4 Climatic Air Conditioning, 15"Alloy Wheels, Electric Front Windows, CD/MP3 Player, 2XISOFIX Child Seat Fittings, Driver & Passenger Front & Side Airbags


’ Comearid'seeforybursel f ’ , Fabia I-brand new j Roomster I^


Fcaih A ^ Oustmtw ? £10620 1


Room * Pnce


ster21.416v '


brandnew j 6 .9 % A P R BMdwiaooOfl*jp(f»nn.btBimlfJ*«d*pd«3.6pB«p(rfnfc., ; ■.


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P»,men6 MinWut - Oidl ♦ Option fee Pjyible I Crw mT I Wuisefa I P wedWO O «.A . I ' Simpsons www,simpsonsskoda.coAik Get that Simpsons Skoda feeling


Skoda range fuel consumpt ion in mpg (L/lOO km), urban 6.0 (47.1) -14.9 (19.0) , extra urban 3.8 (74.3) -9.4 (30.1), combined 4.7 (60.1) -11.4 (24.8) the official co2 .emission is 122-274 g/km. ' ■ ■ . ^ ,5j|,„,„|„,|,|u,,,aiio„pu,posesonlynnanresubieaiosfalus.'WhmComparlngarabiaCrecnline'raiUtoarablaPelrall.4.bascdi)nDi«clPrictolei.27aiidapclrolprlreol£1.13perlitre.!OOOOmilBpcrannun,ando«r3years.tTetmsandton(Iilionsapplv.asklorcleUils. .


Burnley Road, Colne BBS 8LF 01282864266


2 MINS FROM R o i i isD A n y


Brook street, Preston PRl 7NH


01772202070 SKODA APPROVED BUSINESS CENTRES


. 'A Family business for over 60 years tliS ^


FREE specification I upgrade


T i k


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