Monday 24th February 2014

New C1/Aygo/108 trio for Geneva

Second-gen Toyota-PSA city cars get styling refreshes, new engines, more equipment... and a fabric roof

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Nearly 10 years after the original Toyota-PSA city car triumvirate was launched, Geneva will see the debut of three all-new models.

This is all we have from Toyota right now...

The most important thing to note for a start is that the Peugeot is now a 108. It is the last model to reach the '08' model name in the Peugeot range wit. Furthermore, it's also worth noting that Toyota hasn't yet released full details on the Aygo yet, instead opting for a moody teaser image before a full unveiling next week.

So we'll stick to the Peugeot and Citroen C1 for now. Both have incorporated styling changes from larger models in their respective ranges which has resulted in two very bold designs. The Peugeot gets the new corporate grille and light design seen on the latest 308 and 208, the Citroen evidently taking inspiration from the C4 Picasso. The problem being with both that the cars seem too small for the styling with the Citroen in particular is dominated by those huge headlights and DRLs. Both are much more restrained from the back; let's see what Toyota puts forward...

... but the Peugeot is out...

As the pictures suggest, individual customisation is set to be a prominent theme with all models. Peugeot is offering two-tone paint, seven personalisation themes, 'three interior ambiences' and six interior trims so similar configurability from the other two seems likely.

Then there's that roof. The 108 Top! and C1 Airscape get an 800x760mm power fabric roof creating a 'sense of escape' (says Citroen) and offered in three colours on the Peugeot. Purple Berry anyone?

But the appeal of this trio has always been in the simplicity and that does continue largely unchanged, roof and new 'Mirror Screen' smartphone-based infotainment display notwithstanding. The cars weigh 840kg and the sweet little 1.0-litre three-cylinder continues. A 1.2 82hp triple will also be available for more performance, but all models are under 100g/km.

... and so is the Citroen. Blimey.

Further tweaks underneath focus on the suspension, with new springs and dampers, a larger rear anti-roll bar and a lighter rear axle. The electric power steering has been revised too, all aiming to make the cars easier to drive and more comfortable.

So far only Peugeot has announced a UK on-sale date (July 1) from the three but without any prices. Just in time for holiday rental season then...

 

 

[dukebox9reg]

Ill take the Pug thanks. Citroen looks like a bloated mess. Shame I like Citroens newest designs well did.

Why didnt they just put the new Picasso nose on it and it would have looked ok.

It also instantly dates it when they have put the ageing C3's windscreen on it. Big shame. It could have been a big hit but I think the Pug will do better (well from a blokes perspective woman may find it more cutesy) I'll hold out on the toyota till its unveiled.

All look a big step up from the old one though and I think I would have the Pug over an UP

Edited by dukebox9reg on Monday 24th February 14:54

[weez123]

citroen please

[willisit]

I loved my C1 - glad they're keeping them light. Hopefully, they haven't gotten too big.

[ShaunTheSheep]

The Peugeot "design language" hasn't been kind to that! Dumpy podgy wee thing. Maybe some metallic paint in a deep colour can rescue it.

I had a 107 loaner, LOVED it. Except for the gear change. Did wonder if the short wheelbase would make it tricky to catch if you over cook a little.

[Mercury00]

I'm very interested in seeing what the new cars are like. The UP!/ Mii/ Citigo and new i10 have moved things on a fair bit since the previous models.

[dukebox9reg]

ShaunTheSheep said:

The Peugeot "design language" hasn't been kind to that! Dumpy podgy wee thing. Maybe some metallic paint in a deep colour can rescue it.

I had a 107 loaner, LOVED it. Except for the gear change. Did wonder if the short wheelbase would make it tricky to catch if you over cook a little.

Can imagine this one would be

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/toyota/aygo/fi...

I love the fact that there's a tuning scene out for these little motors as well with superchargers doubling their power.

http://www.tts-performance.co.uk/#!citroen-c1/c1to...

Hopefully a little turbo motor will find its way into these along with the new twingo. Be all be a giggle with the wick wound up a little.

[HumbleJim]

Is this an all new car or a major facelift?

[ajh38]

Now we just need one of the 1.2 turbo engines in it and we'll be laughing.

[ajh38]

HumbleJim said:

Is this an all new car or a major facelift?

All new car.

[Mercury00]

Pause the Toyota promo video at the right moment and you can see the interior too!




Compare it to what you can see of the Peugeot and you get an idea of what it'll look like:

Edited by Mercury00 on Monday 24th February 15:24

[Orangecurry]

Triumvirate?

[HumbleJim]

It'll be a good a car for PSA, not before time. Here's hoping they do well with it.

[J4CKO]

We love our C1, for some tasks I would take it over pretty much any other car, i.e. shopping and batting round town, ok an Up! migth be the other alternative and a bit nicer but they got it pretty much spot on with these back in 2005.

With a little hike in power and no more weight it could be even better, am hoping they have sorted the intergalactic gearing and bum numbing seats, I can live with the cheapo build as its a small, cheap car, and to be fair, nothing has broken or fallen off.

I really hope they do a mini hot hatch with 110 bhp ish, close gearing, slightly wider wheels, lowered stance, bolstered seats and a reasonable price tag, seeing as VW seem to be dithering on the Up! GT.

[dukebox9reg]

even the 1.6HDI with 115bhp would make it a spritely little car.

[toohuge]

I worked for Peugeot for a while and hands down, the 107 was the best car in our range. Ironically, we didn't build it, which is probably why everyone likes them.

They are a tremendous amounts of fun and hitting 60 in 2nd was always good fun.

I hope the new ones are as much fun as the old model.

Chris

[nickfrog]

I loved my disposable 107. Did anyone used the handbrake around a dusty isolated roundabout ? It works ! Obviously it wasn't in this country, I wouldn't dare do that here.

[AgentZ]

The first one of these or the UP/Mii/Citigo to do a 100/120bhp model I'll be getting one.

I'm a bit surprised it has put on 40kg in base form considering it has lightened suspension ect..

[Mafioso]

willisit said:

Hopefully, they haven't gotten too big.

Please don't.

[HumbleJim]

AgentZ said:

The first one of these or the UP/Mii/Citigo to do a 100/120bhp model I'll be getting one.

I'm a bit surprised it has put on 40kg in base form considering it has lightened suspension ect..

I thinl it's a little bigger.

[Rickyy]

I really hope they make a warm version of them. I've started to warm to mine a little now (after 17 Months!). My major complaint was the lack of feedback and overly light steering. The light steering is still there, but its had a new set of front tyres, went from Continental Eco thingys to Dunlop Sport Response and its made a huge difference to steering feel.

I hope they put a new gearbox in it though, 2nd to 3rd is ridiculous! You can hit 60 in second, change to 3rd and I'm it drop around 2K RPM, then between 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th there is only around a 250 RPM drop!