Citroen confirmed the success of its supermini range in 2004. With 518,000 C2s, C3s and C3 Pluriels sold worldwide, the Marque reported a 4.7% sales increase in this segment.
This commercial drive is linked to the fast pace of product renewal, to styling and engine upgrades, and also in part to the development of a functional driving aid first introduced on the C3: the SensoDrive automated manual gearbox.
Introduced on the C3 in June 2002, the SensoDrive automated manual gearbox is now available on the C3, C3 Pluriel and C2. Depending on the vehicle, it is now available with the 70 bhp 1.4 HDi engine and the new 90 bhp 1.4i 16V petrol engine, alongside the 1.4i and 1.6i 16V engines.
SensoDrive is a real alternative to conventional manual and automatic gearboxes. It offers new driving sensations based on a choice of gearchange modes (steering-wheel paddles, sequential gearlever or fully automatic). At the same time, it does away with the clutch pedal. The driver can choose between two operating modes: manual or automatic. With the electronic clutch and gearchange control, fuel consumption is lower than with a conventional manual or automatic gearbox.
The technology of the automated manual gearbox features the essential qualities necessary to meet a range of wide range of requirements:
- stress-free urban driving combining the convenience of an automatic with the driving pleasure of manual transmission,
- ergonomic design, with the steering-wheel mounted paddles and clutchless gear change,
- low fuel consumption, by associating the efficiency of a manual gearbox with the electronic management of an automatic gearbox,
- attractive customer pricing,
- safety of use.
Citroen has the widest range of vehicles equipped with an automated manual gearbox currently on the market. With the SensoDrive system, the C3, C3 Pluriel and C2 deliver real driving thrills for outstanding comfort and economy.
