This is getting difficult to keep up with. Citroen's C3 fits the established supermini mould pretty well, so when the French company launched the smaller C2, we figured it was a citycar. The unveiling of the C1 has thrown all our neat classifications into disarray. A true citycar, this looks set to sell by the shipload. To confuse matters further, Citroen refer to the C1, C2 and C3 as their 'Supermini' range. I think it's time to hang the definitions and take a look at the hardware.

The C1 debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show alongside two other suspiciously similar looking creations, Peugeot's 107 and Toyota's Aygo. Those in the know will realise that all three share a common platform, the companies sharing the costs of developing the cars between them. Of the three cars, the Aygo looks the most distinctive and looks set to command premium prices whereas the Citroen targets the budget consumer. Where this leaves the Peugeot in the carve up for the citycar consumer is open to question but Citroen's importers have some pretty formidable quotas they're looking for the C1 to fill and I wouldn't bet against them succeeding.

Unlike many tots, the C1 offers a choice of either three or five-door body styles, priced from £7,095. It aims to offer an unthreatening and fun appearance with a face that looks as if it's either grimacing or grinning depending on the angle at which you view it. The wide wraparound bumper, the rounded bonnet and bulbous headlamp clusters may not endear the C1 to the sort of pimply adolescents who hang around McDonalds car parks and revere the C2 VTR, but it'll doubtless sell well to those with a little less testosterone coursing through their system. The rear end is very nicely finished with a glass tailgate, big crystal and anthracite rear light clusters and a deep under-bumper assembly. The wheelarches are surprisingly beefy and the rear set are sculpted a little further forward in the three-door body style. The five-door car sees its rear doors meet the rear light clusters in a very neat piece of packaging.

Citroen have been regaining their reputation for bold and exciting interiors of late and the C1 continues that trend. The first impression when looking at the virtually symmetrical fascia is that this must have been a vehicle that was very cost effective to convert to right-hand drive but the design is neat and ergonomically sound. Headroom inside the car isn't at all bad, even for someone well over six feet tall and the big glass area up front gives an airy feel to the cabin. The rear of the three-door car is notably more claustrophobic and is really only suitable for kids and short journeys. Rear kneeroom in the five door car is little better but at least the car's beltline is a little lower, making it feel a little less hemmed in.

"The C1 represents a new generation of citycars"

There's a circular theme to the dashboard instruments with the main binnacle, separate rev counter and air vents all adhering to this theme. Taking a lead form the Mitsubishi Colt and Smart Forfour, the Citroen C1 uses a translucent material for the heater control system, in this case glowing a soft orange whenever the lights are turned on, mirroring the colour choice of the driver information and audio system displays. All four seats are trimmed in two-tone material with a choice of fabric or velour finish, complementing the door panels. The front seat backrests are hollowed out to provide a little more rear legroom for back seat passengers, but there really is only so much that can be done with a car with a 2.34 metre wheelbase.

Citroen have learned a whole bunch of lessons from their experience of MPV-style vehicles and the C1 offers no fewer than twelve storage compartments dotted about the centre console, dashboard and doors, with the door bins easily capable of holding an A4-sized atlas. Total luggage room with the rear seats in place is quoted at 139-litres, but drop the rear seats and there's an impressive 751 litres of space. This makes the C1 a car that can do more than just a light shop. Parking at the supermarket for the weekly mission isn't going to present too many difficulties. At just 1.6m wide, the C1 will easily be able to take advantage of those awkward spaces next to the concrete columns that are so often rejected. What's more, at just 3.4m long, you'll probably be able to access the tailgate while still tucked safely into your bay, away from errant trolleys and distracted drivers.

Engine choice isn't - as yet - a C1 highlight. You get to choose between petrol and diesel but that's as far as it goes. The range starts with the entry-level 1.0-litre Vibe variant in three-door form at £7,095 or in five-door form at £7,455. There's a plusher Rhythm trim level at a £500 premium. If you want a diesel, you have to have Rhythm and five doors for a price of £8,925. Plump for the green pump and you get a 68bhp 1.0i unit, while those looking for a diesel option get a 54bhp HDi engine. As might well be expected, both units are EuroIV-compliant and both return over 60mpg on the combined fuel economy cycle. Even in town, you'll be hard pressed to nudge below forty in the diesel. Five speed manual gearboxes are fitted as standard.

Some buyers may have reservations about the safety of such a minute car. Nudge up against a behemoth 4x4 in a car of the C1's size and it's easy to feel rather threatened, but the C1 is likely to have better safety systems than many a sizeable SUV. As well as a specially developed body structure that incorporates crumple zones and impact absorbers at the front and rear, the C1 also boasts ISOFIX child seat anchor points, reinforced doors and up to six airbags. What's more, it's also well equipped to avoid a fender bender in the first instance with anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and corner stability control. The C1 has also been designed to limit the consequences of a pedestrian impact - wise indeed for a car that will doubtless spend much of its life in the urban environment. The front end features no sharp edges and impact absorbers up front also help to limit leg injuries. There's plenty of clearance between the impact absorbing bonnet and the top of the engine which means that shock is dissipated without coming into contact with anything hard.

Safe, stylish and looking set to offer sparkling value for money, the C1 ticks most of the citycar boxes. It lands in a tough corner of the market, but it's difficult to see how Citroen won't have a winner on their hands with this one.

TOP 5 C1 DEALS

The results below show the top C1 deals on buyacar

	Citroen C1 1.4 HDi Rhythm 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £149	Saving £688	Price £8,432
	Citroen C1 1.0i Vibe 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £115	Saving £468	Price £6,822
	Citroen C1 1.0i Rhythm 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £130	Saving £569	Price £7,561
	Citroen C1 1.0i Rhythm 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £123	Saving £527	Price £7,253
	Citroen C1 1.0i Vibe 5dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £121	Saving £511	Price £7,139

typical 12.38% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000