C3 Pluriel is the first saloon to win a prize as a cabriolet. The versatile C3 Pluriel offers the advantages of being either a saloon, a pillarless coupe, cabriolet, a full convertible or a 2 seat open ute. Available in 1.6 16v engine, with the SensoDrive semi automatic gear box. The C3 Pluriel has to be the ideal car for touring Europe, whether its drifting along the Cote d’Azur with the roof removed, savouring the sensual glory of rural France, or roof up zipping along the German autobahns or with the roof folded down to revel the glory of the alps.

Featuring all the qualities inherited from the C3 saloon, the C3 Pluriel is a highly versatile car, whatever the configuration. Its advanced technology, safety and equipment place it on a par with the best saloons in its category.

3 Doors 1.6L Petrol SensoDrive manual Height - 1,563mm Width - 1,700mm Length - 3,934mm

 

The C3 Pluriel is the first saloon to win a prize as a cabriolet. Starting off in the guise of a 3-door saloon, the C3 Pluriel can morph into a C3 Pluriel Panoramic Saloon, a C3 Pluriel Cabriolet, a C3 Pluriel 4-seater Spider or, last, a C3 Pluriel Spider Pick-up.

A unique car with a host of configurations, the C3 Pluriel heralds a new phase in modular vehicle design through its ability to change shape at will.

The interior features the same colour as the bodywork: colour insets with fluid lines adorn the trim panels and even the backs of the front seats (with the Techno pack).

Linking the front and the rear of the passenger compartment, a wishbone (arm rest and grab handles) runs along the inner panels of the doors, bringing to mind the world of water sports. The dashboard, shared with the C3 saloon, features aluminium-coloured air vents and a steering wheel hoop of exclusive design.

The new generation 1.6i 16V engine is a strong performer. It develops 80 kW EEC (110 bhp DIN) at 5,750 rpm with maximum torque of 147 Nm at 4,000 rpm. This engine combines powerful performance with reasonable fuel consumption and emissions,
and a level of driving pleasure rarely seen on this segment. Equipped with the SensoDrive gearbox as standard, this high-performance engine is designed to respond to all types of input.

SensoDrive gearbox standard with the 1.6i 16V - The C3 Pluriel is a strong, innovative concept that demands a high-tech content of corresponding excellence. Citroën is therefore fitting the SensoDrive gearbox as standard on versions equipped with the 1.6 16V engine.
Already available on the C3 saloon, this new 5-speed robotised manual gearbox offers superlative driving pleasure. It gives the driver a choice between two gearchanging modes, manual and “auto-adaptive” automatic, depending on individual requirements and traffic conditions. In manual mode, the driver maintains full control over gear changes. Gears are changed using one of the two control functions provided:

Two paddles located behind the wheel: the right-hand paddle is used to change up, the left-hand paddle to change down. These paddles are fixed, so that they can be used intuitively, whatever the position of the steering wheel, for improved comfort and safety.

A sequential gear lever on the central console. For safety reasons, only the console lever can be used to put the car into neutral or reverse. An electric function positioned on the central console behind the lever lets the driver switch to automatic mode. In this case, an “Auto” pictogram is displayed on the instrument cluster, together with the gear engaged.
At the same time, an indicator lights up. The driver switches naturally from oneoperating mode to the other, using either the automatic mode control or one of the two dedicated manual mode controls (paddles behind the wheel or sequential gear lever) to quit automatic mode.

The SensoDrive gearbox places the emphasis on driving pleasure by doing away with manual clutching and declutching operations. With the fast response and the performance of the 1.6i 16V engine, the driver is able to adopt a sporty driving style while keeping both hands on the wheel, thanks to the positioning of the gearshift controls. And since the SensoDrive system optimises gear change management in automatic mode, fuel consumption is controlled more effectively than with a conventional manual gearbox. This new gearbox is one of the systems developed in response to the demand for functional driving aids. It brings significant progress in ergonomics and driving pleasure, while reducing the fatigue, the stress of urban driving and fuel consumption.

Variable-assistance electric power steering - For smooth manoeuvring in the city and reassuringly precise steering on the open road, the C3 Pluriel features an electric power steering system in which the power varies as a function of vehicle speed. This power steering system, borrowed from the C3, has been adapted to the specific characteristics of the C3 Pluriel.

In terms of safety, the C3 Pluriel is fitted with the same equipment as the C3 (Click here), together with specific features relating to the convertible configuration.
The technical challenge lies in making up for the absence of an upper structure that would also close the rear compartment. The body of the C3 Pluriel has therefore been reinforced in order to obtain levels of stiffness and impact behaviour comparable to those of a closed car. In terms of protection against theft and breakin, the functions available are based on those of the C3.

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Reliable, responsive roadholding
The C3 Pluriel boasts excellent dynamic qualities by reason of its running gear and active safety features. As on the C3, the front suspension is a MacPherson set-up, with coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. It is fitted with an anti-roll bar as standard for improved body control.
The rear suspension, which is specific to the C3 Pluriel, features a flexible transverse beam, compact shock absorbers and a large-diameter anti-roll bar. It has been designed to strike the best possible balance between active safety and comfort. The reliable and responsive road manners of the C3 Pluriel can also be explained by :
• the long wheel base, identical to that of the C3, for enhanced stability,
• the 185/65/R15 tyres with wide tracks,
• the stiffened body shell with a host of optimised reinforcements, designed to make up for the difference in weight between the C3 and the C3 Pluriel (+ 130 kg).
Active safety on the C3 Pluriel is further enhanced by a wide range of equipment. Depending on the country, the C3 Pluriel offers as standard or optional :
• ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution,
• ESP and traction control*,
• emergency braking assistance and automatic illumination of hazard warning lights.

A protective structure
In order to limit structural deformation and dissipate energy in the event of impact, the structure of the C3 Pluriel has been reinforced through the extensive use of special high strength or very-high-strength steel. The main reinforcements on the C3 Pluriel concern :
• the side members, which are fitted with thick lining parts (the side members at the bottom of the doors are now 150 mm wide),
• the cross-members with large cross-sections, which are used to box the subframe in several places,
• a host of special steel reinforcements on the opening panels. To ensure a complete, dependable whole, the C3 Pluriel offers a range of top-quality protection equipment as standard:
• driver airbag and (deactivating) passenger airbag,
• head/chest side airbags at front,
• pyrotechnic pretensioners combined with force limiters at front,
• Isofix anchor points at rear,
• indicator showing driver’s seatbelt not attached.

A structure that protects the occupants in the event of rollover
The C3 Pluriel meets the criteria of the German TÜV standard, currently the reference in testing vehicle resistance on rollover. The Spider roadster configuration, in particular, demanded additional protection. To this end, large-diameter tubes made of thick, reinforced steel, have been placed:

• inside the windscreen pillars,
• in the frames of the backrests and headrests at the rear: the built-in reinforcement tube, which measures 40 mm in diameter, creates a virtually crushproof supporting area at the rear.

The side arches further extend this protection in the cabriolet and saloon configurations, with a built-in aluminium reinforcement tube, 4 mm thick and 55 mm in diameter, running along their entire length. As a result, the arches and their anchor points on the vehicle structure are able to withstand several tonnes of lateral and crushing force in the event of rollover.

Theft protection
The barrage of protection devices installed on the C3 Pluriel include central locking of the doors and tailgate, an HF remote control unit and transponder, and a function that automatically relocks the vehicle if it is unlocked accidentally.

Onboard well-being multiplied by four
Inside the C3 Pluriel, occupants will recognize the interior space and roomy front area of the C3 saloon. Maximum use is made of the car’s unusual height (headroom of 885 mm at the front). The raised seats (325 mm at the front and 355 mm at the rear) offer a clear view of the road, giving the occupants an impression of height and increased security.
In addition to the two front seats, whose roominess places them among the front-runners in the segment (elbow room of 1,422 mm), the C3 Pluriel has two full-size seats at the rear, with room for two adults to enjoy the journey. At the rear, leg room is similar to that of a 3-door saloon, while head room (888 mm) and elbow room (1,330 mm) are considerably more generous.
The amount of space at the rear, which is greater than on most cabriolets in the compact saloon segment, can be attributed to the exclusive retractable soft top. Also, the backs of the front seats are hollowed out to create more space for passengers at the rear.

The acoustic and thermal comfort of a saloon
On urban roads and motorways, the silent running of the C3 Pluriel in the closed configuration will be much appreciated by the occupants. The multilayer soft top has been designed to satisfy motorists who are used to conventional saloons. In a closed configuration, the C3 Pluriel also aims to provide the same features as a saloon in terms of temperature control. Moreover, the air conditioning remains useful even in a cabriolet or roadster configuration, since it cools the temperature in the car, while leaving the occupants free to enjoy the sunshine.
The two reliable and efficient air conditioning systems (manual and automatic control) available with the C3 are also present on the C3 Pluriel. Automatic air conditioning comes with a cooled lower glovebox, a heat-reflecting windscreen and an activated carbon (antiodour) filter.
Available as standard, the pollen filter is a high-performance unit that continuously filters out pollen, germs, dust and even certain molecules of pollutant gas.

A clear view at all times
One of the strong points of the C3 Pluriel is the panoramic view of the exterior available to all the occupants, even in a closed saloon configuration. The vast windscreen offers a clear view of the road ahead. Enhancing the impression of onboard space and light, it provides excellent visibility.
The four side windows, which are generously sized with no central pillar, give passengers a clear view to the side, even from the rear seats.

They are electrically controlled and retract fully into the bodywork. The rear window controls are placed at the back of the central console, where they are easily accessible to occupants at both front and rear. For greater safety, a button on the dashboard disables the rear electric window-lifts. The openwork headrests at front and rear contribute to the clear view and friendly design.

A passenger compartment designed to simplify life on board
The ergonomic driver’s position expresses the pleasure of travelling onboard the C3 Pluriel:
• the steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach;
• the height-adjustable driver’s seat is standard;
• the front seats slide back to accommodate even the tallest people;
• the foot rest provides strong support;
• the raised seating and large glazed areas offer an excellent view of the road.

Also worth mentioning is the convenient layout of the controls, two examples being the audio system controls on the right-hand stalk switch, and the paddle switches behind the wheel for the SensoDrive gearbox.

The many vast and practical stowage compartments will also be greatly appreciated. In addition to the compartments shared with the C3, on the dashboard in particular, the C3 Pluriel features two stowage bins built into the doors and designed to hold a 1.5l bottle, as well as two mesh map pockets fitted to the backrests of the front seats (with the Techno pack).

A generously sized, modular boot for day-to-day use
In a saloon configuration, the boot of the C3 Pluriel has a capacity of around 266 litres, making it one of the biggest in its category.
Practical and ingenious, the boot can be accessed in two different ways:
• by opening the rear window (the parcel shelf retracts automatically) for quick access to the contents of the boot, even if the car is parked against a wall or close to another vehicle;
• by opening the window and then the tailgate to create a wide opening (93 cm) for access to the entire boot.
The temporary spare wheel is housed under the boot lining.

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Suspension - The front suspension is of the MacPherson type with coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. It is made up of a subframe, two lower steel monocoque wishbones, a pivot and independent anti-roll bar linked directly to the shock absorbers.
The rear suspension features a totally new design with a flexible transverse beam and hydraulic shock absorbers. Two cast-iron arms are integral with a O shaped section. A hollow anti-roll bar is placed inside this section.

Electronic brakeforce distribution - This function makes optimum use of braking power by delivering the maximum level of power admissible for each wheel. In this way, it optimises "front-rear" and "right-left" braking.

Emergency braking assistance - An emergency braking assistance system is also available on the C3: when the driver stamps hard on the brake pedal (indicating an emergency situation), the main piston sets off a second piston that raises the pressure of the braking system to maximum levels. This function considerably reduces the braking distance and makes up for the reluctance of drivers to stamp hard on the pedal at the start of the braking process.

Automatic hazard warning lights - To further improve braking safety, the hazard warning lights of the C3 come on automatically in the event of sudden deceleration. They are switched off when the vehicle accelerates once more or when the driver activates the corresponding control button.

Airbag - The C3 can be fitted with six airbags (front, side and curtain) to protect the driver and passengers at front and rear. The fuel supply is cut off if any one of the six airbags is deployed.
The passenger airbag can be deactivated by means of a key. Two side airbags built into the front seats provide chest protection, while two curtain airbags protect the heads of the occupants at front and rear.

Seatbelts - The seatbelts at the front are height-adjustable. They are equipped with pyrotechnic pretensioners and force limiters, in order to reduce the pressure on the chest in the event of impact, and so further enhance the level of protection.
The three rear seatbelts are three-point. The central belt at the rear is installed on the seat itself. As a result, it is easier to use and to position in all cases, including for child seats. Moreover, this configuration is more attractive on the eye, since the belt is not attached to the rear roof cross member.

Options / Features
It is the perfect vehicle for long-haul journeys with its height-adjustable driver's seat, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, central locking, continuously variable electric power steering and - depending on the version - electric one-touch front window lifts with an anti-pinch function, High Frequency plip, air conditioning with automatic temperature control, heated, adjustable, electric rearview mirrors and two central arm-rests at the front. All the equipment is designed for simplicity of use.

For easy handling in the city, as well as on longer journeys involving motorway travel, the C3 features a new electric power steering system, in which power varies continuously as a function of vehicle speed.

Electronic parking assistance (standard on the Exclusive trim) helps drivers park easily. Four sensors in the rear bumper detect any obstacles and warn the driver with an audible alarm. The system is activated automatically as soon as reverse is selected.

The intermittent windscreen wiper function is indexed to vehicle speed for improved visibility. On the versions featuring air conditioning with automatic temperature control, the windscreen wipers are rain sensitive.

With their complex-surface design and clear lens, the main headlamps of the C3 emit considerable light. H1 lamps are used for the high-beam function and an H7 lamp for the dipped-beam function. The fog lamps (H1) are built into the skirt of the front bumper.
The hazard warning lights come on automatically in the event of sudden deceleration.

The black panel function improves visual comfort at night by allowing the driver to switch off the illumination of all non-essential data on the instrument cluster.

The C3 features a two-button plip control system : one button for locking and locating the car, the other for unlocking. If the vehicle is unlocked using the plip control but neither the doors or boot are opened within 30 seconds, the vehicle locks again automatically. This function protects the vehicle if the driver unlocks it accidentally. As soon as the vehicle starts to move, the boot locks automatically and is thereby protected against theft. It will remain locked until a door is opened or until the car comes to a stop.

When the engine is turned off, the electric window lift controls remain active for 30 seconds after the driver's door has been opened.
The one-touch electric control used to raise and lower windows features an anti-pinch function. This function is also found on the sunroof, which can be programmed in any one of nine possible slide positions.

The C3 also offers many other intelligent functions designed to promote the comfort and safety of the occupants. Examples include guide-me-home dipped-beam lights that remain on for one minute after the engine has been switched off, interior lighting controls, a function that adjusts the volume of the car radio in accordance with vehicle speed, windscreen wipers timed to operate after the windscreen wash function, windscreen wiper rate adjusted when the car is stationary, automatic cut-off of energy-consuming functions such as the audio system and lighting 30 minutes after the engine is switched off, and an excess speed warning.

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