Filed under: Convertibles, Euro, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Citroen, Special/Limited Editions
Citroen does the Charleston in Paris with special C3 Pluriel
Click above for high-res gallery of the Citroen C3 Pluriel Charleston
Last month we noted that Citroen was gearing up to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its most iconic model, the 2CV. For those not familiar with the 2CV, it is to France what the Beetle was to Germany or the Cinquecento was to Italy. Although some suggested that Citroen could be preparing to resurrect the model with a retro throwback of its own, it now appears the French automaker has had its hands full preparing the Hypnos concept, the C6 Office and the new C3 Picasso. So to mark the 2CV's birthday, Citroen is launching a special edition of its quirky little convertible called the C3 Pluriel Charleston.
The special edition takes the same name and paint scheme as the original 2CV 6 Charleston, but that only begs the question as to why a French automaker has named a French car for the French market after a city in South Carolina that the French can't even pronounce. The Pluriel, now on the market since 2003, features an awkward multi-function roof that can be deployed in different configurations... a setup we hope Fiat manages to improve on with the upcoming 500 Cabrio Coach. The Charleston edition, meanwhile, upgrades with a leather interior, chrome trim, 15-inch alloys (don't get too excited now) and a special interior.
There are many European cars we wish we could get in the United States. We'll let the French keep this one.
Gallery: Citroen C3 Pluriel Charleston
[Source: Citroen]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
andybee 5:43PM (9/11/2008)
Duh!, you are joking. You do know its named after the Charleston dance....
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letstakeawalk 6:58PM (9/11/2008)
Why would the French choose to name a car after the wealthiest city in colonial British North America anyway? It's not like we have a big race-track here, like LeMans (Pontiac). We do have beaches, but we're no Riviera (Buick). And we're into NASCAR here, not Grand Prix (Pontiac). This could go on and on, does anybody know why Citroen chose the name "Charleston" originally?
(it's for giggles, people)
Torrent 5:48PM (9/11/2008)
Lord help me.
I think I like it.
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patrick 5:58PM (9/11/2008)
It's cute.
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hatchbacks or cool 8:46PM (9/11/2008)
It's awful it looks nothing like a 2cv . It's just a painted C3
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eb110americana 8:59PM (9/11/2008)
Progress: Producing a car known affectionately as "the ugly duckling" and then striving exceed that benchmark.
Citroen, you have succeeded in every way. And now I will avert my eyes from the ugliness that is the C3.
Lest you think I have disdain for all playful compacts, I'll be starring at Nissan Micras and Mini Coopers until the only disturbing image the Charleston brings to mind is a funny dance old people used to do.
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PJ 9:27PM (9/11/2008)
I'm inclined to like just about anything associated with the ol' Deux Chevaux. The C3 doesn't have a tenth of its charm, but as a cost-effective homage, I like it.
Anyone remember the 2CV Sahara? It achieved four-wheel-drive through--what else?--two engines, one for each axle. Two transmissions, too, operated simultaneously through a common shifter and clutch pedal. Two tachometers, two ignition switches... a truly French approach to off-roading.
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Michel 12:52PM (9/12/2008)
"Charleston" is easy to pronounce for the French : you can believe me, I'm French..
Personnellement je la trouve amusante cette C3, dans le genre néo-rétro
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Spule4 10:54PM (9/12/2008)
I wondered if we would see this paint job again from Citroen. A few years back I saw here in Nashville a new VW "bug" Cabrio with Charleston paint.
It is pretty in both forms, the black/red and grey/light grey.
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