Motorshow: 2009 IAA Frankfurt Motorshow

This years Frankfurt motorshow saw world-wide debuts of the Kia Venga, Bentley Mulsanne, Citroen C3 & DS3, BMW X1, Dodge Caliber facelift, Fiat Punto Evo, Ford C-Max & Grand C-Max, Hyundai Santa Fe facelift, Lexus LS & GS facelift, Mazda3 MPS and the Skoda Superb Estate, just to name a few.

The new C3 is Citroen’s contender in the mainstream supermini market. Distinctive styling is a major part of its appeal, but the C3 is attractively green, too. The cleanest C3 will have a 90bhp 1.6 litre diesel engine and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km when it goes on sale early next year, but Citroen plans to add further models that emit just 95 and 90g/km during 2010.

Engines with start-stop systems and automated manual gearboxes will be fitted throughout the range, and Citroen has worked hard to ensure that the new car is no bulkier or heavier than the one it replaces, despite providing more space and equipment.

'We introduced a penalty system on our suppliers if they didn't reach our weight targets,' a Citroen spokesman said.

The initial C3 engine line-up will be 1.1, 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol engines and 1.4 and 1.6 litre turbo-diesels, delivering between 70bhp and 120bhp, but the 1.1 litre unit will have 'a short life', according to a Citroen spokesman. New low CO2 emitting 1.0 and 1.2 litre petrol engines are coming as well, which will help make Citroen's emissions targets of 95- and 90g/km feasible.

As with the present C3, only five-door models will be available. If you want a three-door, take a look at the DS3 on the stand. There is a new rear suspension system for both, mounted on subframes to isolate road noise.

Citroen says it designed the C3 with the principle that 'customers no longer talk about the distances they cover, but the amount of time they spend in the car'.

'Customers were changing even before the financial crisis started. Superminis were becoming the first choice for many. We had to put right the weaknesses of today's C3. Anyway, as a company, we are too attached to innovation to copy and paste the current car.'

There has been a big push to improve quality and style, and to make the cabin roomier, more airy and sophisticated. The trim materials and design give the new car far more class than the current model and thinner seat and dashboard structures improve space, while allowing the car to remain less than four metres long. A 'zenith' windscreen which stretches back over the roof is a distinctive design element. It lets more light into the cabin, but also shields it from heat.

Citroen says it will use the Ford Fiesta as a pricing benchmark, which would suggest a starting price of a little under £10,000. The new C3 will go on sale in the UK in Spring 2010.