Citroen C1 Connexion: It’s the People’s Car

Citroen asked its Facebook Fans exactly what they wanted from a C1. The result is the Citroen C1 Connexion – now on sale.

We thought it was only modern politicians who decided policy according to opinion polls. But it looks like car makers are having a bash at using the same trick to get buyers on side.

Citroen asked its Facebook followers to submit ideas of what they wanted in a C1, from trim to colour combinations, and they got 24,000 designs submitted. The result is the Citroen C1 Connexion, based on the C1 VTR and with added Facebook input.

That means a C1 with 14″ alloys, privacy glass and metallic black paint with bright red splashes on the mirrors, handles and round the back number plate.

Inside, the C1 Connexion gets more splashes of red for the carpets and centre console and even the door sills blush scarlet. The red theme is continued round the door trims and air vents and the electric window switches, with the rev counter and speedo joining in too.

Under the bonnet the C1 Connexion gets Citroen’s 1.0 litre petrol with 67bhp, a five speed manual ‘box and economy of 65.7mpg, which means the C1 Connexion is a freebie for congestion charging (how many of the 24k Facebook followers were Londoners, we wonder?). Extra goodies include LED running  lights and AirCon and a total extra spec worth £925.

The Citroen C1 Connexion costs £9,495 for the three-door and £9,845 for the five-door, a premium of £500 over the regular C1 VTR spec.

And if other car makers fancy going the route of getting their social network followers to design a car,  they could perhaps save themselves the effort and just add lots of red trim to an existing model?

Job done.