C-segment: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:59, 16 February 2015

Revision as of 04:04, 21 February 2015

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[[File:12-10-03-autostadt-wob-by-RalfR-12.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Volkswagen Golf]], bestseller in Europe since more thenthan a decade, is also best seller in C-segment.]]

[[File:Festival automobile international 2014 - Citroën C-Cactus - 002.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Citroen C4 Cactus]] was one among the most succesfulsuccessful launches in European C-Segment in 2014]]

'''C-segment''' is a car ''size'' classification defined by the [[European Commission]]<ref>{{cite web

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The modern C-segment market in Europe can be traced back to the launch of the [[Renault 6]], the first successful hatchback of this size, in 1968. The ''hatchback'' bodystyle was first introduced by [[Renault]] with the 1964 [[Renault 16]], awarded 1965 [[European Car of the Year|Car of the year in Europe]]. A review in the English ''Motoring Illustrated'' in May 1965 stated: "The Renault Sixteen can thus be described as a large family car but one that is neither a four door saloon and nor is it quite an estate. But, importantly, it is a little different."<ref name="Motoring Illustrated, May 1965">Motoring Illustrated, May 1965</ref> Even the later similar-sized cars like the [[Ford Escort (Europe)|Ford Escort]], [[Vauxhall Viva (1963–1979)|Vauxhall Viva]], [[Austin Allegro]] and [[Hillman Avenger]] were still only available as saloons or estates, as were most continental competitors. Yet, the ''hatchback'' bodystyle became progressively the most popular format in this sector of the European market from the middle of the 1960s till the early 1980s. Some carmakers later created the ''liftback'' bodystyle like the [[Peugeot 309]]. This change in the favoured bodystyle also saw front-wheel drive replace rear-wheel drive as the norm in the C-segment.

The 1964 [[Renault 8#More power|Renault R8 Gordini]] (and the 1967 Renault R8 S) is known as the first sportive compact car for a public consumption price.<ref>Auto Plus (Auto Bild group) n°1362, 10 to 17 of octoberOctober 2014 - 1964 : "1964 : Renault 8 Gordini, the first 'GTi'".</ref> The [[Renault 8#More power|Renault R8 Gordini]] offered a more powerful engine with speed to 180&nbsp;km/h and an innovative four-wheel disc brake system. Compact size cars often bring a performance more akin to that of a sports car than a family car. From the middle of the 1970, a dozen of year after the [[Renault 8#More power|Renault R8 Gordini]], a few rivals were launched. Popularity of this type of car multiplied across Europe during the 1980s, with offerings including the Ford Escort XR3i, [[Peugeot 309|Peugeot 309 GTi]], Vauxhall Astra/[[Opel Kadett]] GTE, [[Austin Maestro|MG Maestro]] and today the reference : the [[Mégane Renault Sport|Renault Mégane Renault Sport]].

== European Market in 2014<ref>{{cite web

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! [[Mitsubishi Group]] !! [[PSA Group]] !! [[Renault-Nissan Group]] !! [[Subaru Group]] !! [[Toyota Group]] !! [[VW Group]]

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| [[Mitsubishi Lancer]] || [[Citroen C4]] || [[Dacia Logan]] || [[Subaru XV]] || [[Toyota Corolla]] || [[Škoda Rapid (2012)|Skoda Rapid]]

|-

| || [[Citroen C4 Cactus]] || [[Dacia Logan]] || [[Subaru Impreza]] || [[Lexus CT]] || [[VW Beetle]]