Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2008 | Page 108

life

MOTORING

Snapping at the heels
of the car in front
It roars like a terrier when you
turn the key. “It thinks it’s
a Ferrari,” explains Central
Garage’s MD Roger Sixsmith
indulgently, as if talking
about a much loved pet.
Actually the Citroen C1 is just
that to many a happy owner.
The car is full of enthusiasm
which becomes infectious. It
pulls up the hill as if chasing a
rabbit, and nips round corners
without a second thought.
There are no frills, just the
usual quirky Citroen styling
– those retro air jets, a round
speedo, and cock-eyed rev
counter. Adjustable steering
column and power steering
are nice to have though
maybe hardly necessary.
But there are plenty of thrills.
Its performance feels far
better than the raw numbers
suggest. The one-litre engine
with fuel injection gives it a
genuine sporty feel. There is a
diesel version, but the petrol
model is so economic Roger
hasn’t had any call for one.

The five-door Rhythm version
comes with central locking,
electric windows and side
airbags. The three-door Vibe
starts at £6,000. Its road
tax is £35 a year, and it falls
into group 1 for insurance.
“We’re selling the C1 to people
who were looking at used
vehicles. With a three-year
warranty and at that price
it makes perfect sense to
buy new,” says Roger.
It is the perfect town car
and with its pleasing styling
seems aimed at the younger
market. It is roomy enough
for adults to be comfortable
in the back, though what you
gain in leg room you lose in
boot space. If it’s just the
two of you though, fold the
rear seats flat and you’ve
got a good space to throw in
the suitcases, and get away.
Test drive at Central
Garage, Riverway,
Newport. Tel 526541
Test driven by:
Roz Whistance

108

Style at the push
of a button
It turns heads, this car.
Crouching low to hug the
road, it looks snappy. And
when its driver simply walks
up, and without faffing with
keys climbs in and drives
off, it’s simply cool.
The Toyota Auris SR180 is
destined for a huge audience:
its ultra low-profile tyres, alloy
wheels and colour-coordinated
spoilers – and six-speed
gear box – will appeal to
the racier crowd. It has
177 horses and yet its 2.2
litre engine is a diesel for
economy and low emissions.
Economy? Low emissions?
This white whizzy machine
doesn’t look like it’s built to
be sensible. It doesn’t feel
like it either. It pulled away
smoothly through the gears,
though the position of both
gear-leaver and the handbrake
seemed a little odd at first. It
wasn’t bothered by the large
pot-holes up Culver Down,
though the firm suspension
meant its driver and passenger
were. It clings to corners well
and climbed confidently. In
fact the only time you’d ever
know it was a diesel was when
it gets beyond its power-band.
Visibility is fantastic for
such a rock-solid machine;
it has more glass than you’d
expect. And the dashboard

looks vibrant and ready to go