Citroen C3 Pluriel Tested 2006-10-01

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Environment Rating The frugal 1.4 HDI diesel option makes for one of the lower emitting of the current batch of cabriolets - although you won't appreciate the agricultural soundtrack from the driver's seat. Overall Rating Not recommended. There's a good idea lurking somewhere within the C3 Pluriel - but you'll have to spend a long time searching for it.

Summary

The Pluriel is one of those cars that must have seemed like a really good idea at the time it was first conceived. It's meant to be a cut-price alternative to a "CC" folding hardtop, combining the practicality of a supermini with the ability to remove the roof when the sun comes out.

Sadly it's an idea that's been poorly thought through, and which was never really going to be suited to the changeable British and Irish climate. With the roof up it suffers from awkward, pram-like looks. And although it looks far better with the roof removed, this process is so painful (requiring the heavy side runners to be physically unclipped and stored somewhere) that most punters will rarely bother. Travelling any distance with the roof removed also brings the risk of being drenched if the weather suddenly turns?

Driving dynamics are deeply unexceptional, with the Pluriel sharing the stodgy driving experience and lumpy ride of its C3 hatchback sister. Three engines are available, with the basic 1.4 litre petrol feeling underpowered and the 1.4 litre HDI diesel sounding very agricultural with the roof down. Both are better than the 1.6 litre "Sensodrive" petrol, though, which is cursed with a dreadful semi-automatic gearbox.