In a package with a 1.2-liter gasoline power unit, the manufacturer now installs not only an automatic transmission, but also a robotic one. In conjunction with the 1.4 engine is still running automatic transmission. Similar refinement carried away in Citroen, setting in the model C3 “robot”.

Engineers took into account the wishes of users and the last restyling brought innovations to the Corsa hatchback, changed the suspension settings in the car, making them softer, and now you can see the new bumper and optics of the main light on the nose of the car, making the car strongly resemble the popular Astra.

Restyling Citroen

In Citroen, restyling is done systematically, usually it happens every 4 years, sometimes more often, but today the C3 hatchback can be commended for an interesting exterior of the body and a comfortable lounge, equipped in the spirit of the latest technological advances. In general, both cars fully comply with generally accepted canons of class B.

Salon C3 is well equipped, but difficult to call a practical car. She has a rather roomy luggage compartment, but the space in the cabin is clearly lacking, in particular, in the back row. The Corsa has almost the same dimensions, but the cabin has a bit more free space, the roof is higher, the cabin is comfortable and on the lower tier. Perhaps this was achieved by a lower setting of the back of the sofa and the presence of the adjustment of the tilt of its backs. Trunk volumes, in both cars - 280 l, however, in the French model, it is better equipped and more convenient.

See also: The reasons for the inclusion of emergency mode automatic transmission

Despite the new settings for the suspension, the Corsa hatchback is still good at driving and stands on a given course of motion. The steering wheel is quite heavy, it provides a complete connection with reality, rolls during sharp maneuvering are observed, but not critical.

The Citroen is just the perfect suspension setup for domestic roads. Despite their condition, the car goes very smoothly and comfortably, but in the discipline of handling it clearly loses to the German car. The body noticeably lurch even in normal corners, and with sudden braking it shows excessive longitudinal buildup. The steering wheel requires almost no effort, there is no feedback.

Motors on Citroen and Corsa

In both hatchback installed identical gasoline power units of 1.4 liters. At Opel power indicators are slightly higher than that of Citroen. The power is 100 forces, the torque is 130 Hm, the competitor has 98 forces, and the thrust is 136 Hm. It does not affect driving performance in any way, C3 accelerates to 100 km per hour in 13.2 seconds, Corsa in 13.9 seconds. The maximum speed indicator is also similar - 184 km per hour at the C3 and 172 km per hour at the Corsa.

But these cars, despite the global technical identity, work with various transmission units. The German car is equipped with an automatic gearbox, 4 steps, the French hatchback operates with a robotic box, 5 ranges.

See also: The device and the principle of the automatic transmission

Automatic on Corsa - analyst opinion

According to analysts, the automatic gearbox Corsa is soft, comfortable and economical, while driving it seems that its technical potential is limited forcibly, although it switches quickly and completely unnoticed by the driver. Robotic Gearbox C3 hardly withstands criticism. Speed ​​dialing is accompanied by constant failures when choosing a gear. This unit is absolutely not suitable for intermittent driving in the city, jerks are observed, only the presence of the manual mode saves, however, and it does not solve the problem completely. In general, the operation of the box is unstable and unpredictable.

As long as the engineers of both companies are not engaged in a fundamental revision of the transmission of these hatchbacks, customers will have to choose between unstable dynamics and wasteful comfort. However, in class B it is not difficult to find an alternative, by the way, with a similar price tag.