CITROEN'S popular C1 city car has undergone a major transformation.

Despite the rise in demand for slightly larger crossover models and small SUVs there is still a growing market for small cars.

Outwardly the new C1 hasn't undergone a really dramatic change but it remains a sporty looking motor with new, slim-line swept-back lights and a new front grille plus new LED daylight running lights in the bumper.

The rear end has new 3D effect lights and a large glass tailgate.

The new C1, which comes in three and five-door, is basically the same as the Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo, all built at the same factory in the Czech Republic. It has a similar floor plan and other main body shell components.

The new Toyota Aygo, with its striking X-shaped feature up front may look more adventurous but the new C1 is still a pretty good looking city car.

It's a similar size to the previous C1 with a pleasant enough interior, similar to its sister cars.

Touches inside make the new Citroen pleasant to drive. The dashboard can be personalised with bright colour options on the centre console, air vent trim a gear lever base. The door panels also include matching coloured inserts.

A major feature on some models is a new 7-inch screen, called Touch Drive which groups the car's media functions including DAB radio, telephone and on-board computer. It can also be hooked up to your mobile phone for contact with apps and navigation system.

Also available is the new Airscape model which has a large fabric soft top operated by easy to use powered controls which is ideal for summer motoring.

The boot isn't huge but offers 196 litres of space and with the rear seats folded flat increase load space to 780 litres.

Citroen is renowned for its suspension systems and the new C1 has new springs, new shock absorbers and anti-roll bar which I found give the latest C1 a comfortable ride and good road holding.

Engines for the new C1 are the latest petrol units: a 68bhp or 82bhp 1.0-litre VTi with a five-speed manual gearbox. The former is also offered with a five-speed automatic Efficient Tronic Gearbox.

The 3-cylinder 68bhp engine, with stop-start technology, is claimed to be able to return around 74mpg and CO2 emissions of 88 g/km. The 82bhp version offers 66mpg and 99 g/km and will hit 62mph in 11 seconds.

There are three trim levels for the C1 - Touch, Feel and Flair.

The entry-level Touch comes with standard equipment such as ABS, remote central locking, electric front windows, six airbags, MP3 compatibility.

The Feel model has air conditioning, DAB digital radio, seven-inch Touch Drive interface, steering mounted controls, along with body coloured door mirrors and door handles and the top range Flair adds 15-inch alloy wheels, reversing camera, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, a leather steering wheel and dark tinted rear windows.

Prices for the new Citroen C1 start at £8,245 for the Touch VTi 68 manual three-door, rising to £11,935 for the new C1 Airscape Flair VTi ETG 5-door.

A launch edition will also be available, called the Citroen C1 Airscape Feel Edition, and it will come in at £10,945.