At Full Chat

This achievement is all the more remarkable when you consider the two new cars will compete in markets in which the company currently doesn't even have a foothold. A few days ago, Citroen didn't do micro and high-end luxury models. Now it does - and as a result, it has one of, if not the widest, most logical and best-value ranges today.

As I said, the titchy C1 is very much bottom of the pile, priced from around ΂£6,000. Then there's the C2, from ΂£7,000, while the C3 comes in at ΂£8,000 and the Ber-lingo Multispace and C4 cost from around ΂£9,000 and ΂£10,000 respectively. So for every extra ΂£1,000 you spend, you can move up a model in the range. How's that for choice?

Meanwhile, in the ΂£10,000-΂£15,000 category there's the Pluriel convertible and Picasso mid-size MPV. Move up to ΂£16,000-΂£20,000 and you can choose between the C5 saloon or estate or the C8 large MPV. And now, with the addition of the C6, those with an extra ΂£10,000 burning a whole in their pocket will be able to buy a slice of French luxury wrapped up in a design worthy of a special exhibition in the Louvre.
But don't rule out even more models being added to the line-up. Citroen has never made a 4x4, but due to a tie-up between its parent company PSA and off-road expert Mitsubishi, one is expected soon. And as with the current range of cars, it'll probably be one of the most exciting-looking SUVs on sale, yet affordable at the same time.

Right now, the C1 and C6 are receiving all the attention. The latter will offer BMW and Mercedes-rivalling comfort and refinement, plus more attractive looks, for less cash. OK, I won't be paying ΂£30,000 for a new C6, but in three years it will be one hell of a used buy for ΂£10,000-΂£15,000. And it will still look more modern than some new cars.

The C1 is a different story. I'd happily have one as a city runabout, and can't wait to experience its 'less is more' qualities. Bare metal on the inside of the doors, simple minimalist VW Beetle-style dials, a bargain basement price and the promise of 70mpg economy seem too good to be true. But the C1 will soon be in showrooms. As a second family motor or a first car, I don't think, at this early stage, it can be beaten.