page_title: Citroën C3
section_title: First generation (2002–2009)
hierarchical_section_title: Citroën C3 / First generation (2002–2009)
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Citroën C3
context_page_description: The Citroën C3 is a supermini car produced by Citroën since April 2002. It replaced the Citroën Saxo in the model line up, and is currently in its third generation. The third generation model made its appearance in June 2016, and went on sale in January 2017.
  It is produced in a five door hatchback body style, with the first generation also being produced in a two door convertible version, called the C3 Pluriel. A three door hatchback, with a similar design as the second generation, marketed as a premium model, is available as the DS3.
  A mini MPV version of the C3 was announced in July 2008, called the C3 Picasso, and was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. In South America, a mini SUV version, called the C3 Aircross, is produced and marketed only locally. In October 2014, the Citroën C3 was awarded most efficient small cars, with the premium car DS 3.
context_section_description: After Jean-Pierre Ploué was appointed Director of the Citroën Design Center in 2000, he designed the C3 under the leadership of Donato Coco, who was already responsible for Citroën Xsara Picasso.
  The first generation of the C3 was launched at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, as well as the 2001 Bologna Motor Show, and began marketing in January 2002, as a five door hatchback. It was available with 1.1, 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol engines, and 1.4 and 1.6 litre common rail diesel engines. 
  All models came as standard with a five speed manual transmission, except for the Stop & Start model, which came with the SensoDrive gearbox, a five-speed automated manual transmission with paddle-shifters and manual and automatic modes. The top level was the only version that had the option of a four speed fully automatic transmission.
  In accordance with the PSA Group policy, the C3's chassis was used for the Peugeot 1007 and the Peugeot 207. Many components of the C3 are the same as those of the Peugeot 206. Some versions of the C3 feature a start-stop system that can automatically cut the engine when not needed to save fuel, such as in traffic, and restart it briskly to move on again.
caption: Facelift Citroën C3 hatchback
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