Who makes the Citroen C1 1.2 engine?
The 1.2-litre petrol engine used in the Citroën C1 was developed and produced within the Toyota–PSA joint venture that underpinned the C1, Aygo, and Peugeot 107 trio, with manufacturing handled as part of that partnership by Toyota’s European powertrain operations.
To understand this, it helps to look at the collaboration behind the C1 family. The Citroën C1, Toyota Aygo, and Peugeot 107 shared a single platform and a common engine lineup created by a formal joint venture between PSA Group (Peugeot Citroën) and Toyota, originally known as TPCA (Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech). The 1.2-litre petrol engine in question was part of that shared powertrain family, designed for efficiency in city driving and adapted to European emissions standards. Over the years, the alliance evolved with corporate reorganizations, but the 1.2 engine’s origin remains tied to the PSA–Toyota collaboration that produced these compact city cars.
Background of the TPCA partnership
TPCA stood for the collaboration between PSA and Toyota to design, build, and supply small-car powertrains and platforms for the trio of city cars. The aim was to provide a cost-effective, efficient engine option for the C1, Aygo, and 107, while maintaining comparable performance and emissions across the range.
- The C1, Aygo, and 107 were produced on a single platform under the TPCA umbrella, reflecting the joint venture’s core goal of commonality and efficiency.
- The 1.2-litre petrol engine was developed as part of the shared powertrain program for these models, offering a balance of tractable performance and fuel efficiency for urban use.
- Engine supply and assembly for the TPCA lineup were coordinated through the TPCA framework, with components and engines produced by the partner companies within Europe as part of the collaboration.
Before listing the key points, note that TPCA’s role encompassed joint engineering, sourcing, and European production logistics for the shared models and engines.
In summary, the 1.2 engine’s origins lie in a European-wide collaboration between PSA and Toyota, with TPCA serving as the organizing framework for design, production, and supply. The arrangement produced durable, compact powertrains tailored to the city-car segment, and it remained a defining feature of the C1 through its generation lifecycle.
What to know today about the 1.2 engine and maintenance
As the C1’s production and its siblings’ lifecycle progressed, the most common practical takeaway for owners and buyers is to treat the 1.2 engines as part of the early-generation TPCA powertrain family. When looking for parts or service, reference the TPCA lineage and the engine’s shared heritage with Aygo and 107 models to locate compatible components and service procedures.
- Parts compatibility: The 1.2 engine shares components with its TPCA siblings, so parts catalogs for Aygo/107 can be relevant for C1 1.2 models.
- Common service items: Regular intake cleaning, spark plugs (for appropriate 3-cylinder layouts), timing belt/chain as per variant, and cooling system checks are typical areas to monitor on aging units.
- Emissions and economy: Like many early-2000s small engines, the 1.2 can suffer from higher emission-readings if engines are not well-maintained, so emissions-related checks are important for staying within regulations and achieving expected fuel economy.
Before listing maintenance considerations, this note helps frame what follows.
While the original TPCA joint venture has evolved with corporate restructurings (including the Stellantis formation from PSA), the 1.2 engine remains a reference point for those researching the Citroën C1’s early powertrain lineage and its shared engineering with Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107.
Summary
The Citroën C1 1.2 engine traces its roots to the Toyota–PSA TPCA partnership, a European collaboration that unified the city-car powertrain and platform for the C1, Aygo, and 107. Engine development and initial production were carried out within that joint framework, with components and manufacturing coordinated across partner facilities in Europe. Today, knowledge of the engine’s TPCA heritage helps owners and historians understand the shared engineering behind these iconic urban cars.
Are Citroën 1.2 PureTech engines reliable?
The 1.2 puretech can be okay, as long as it's had it's belt done every 4 years or 60000 miles, it's be serviced well no more than 12500 miles between services and it's had the updated oil spec, the oil pick up cleaned.
Who makes Citroën engines?
PSA PowerTrain (formerly Peugeot Citroën Moteurs)
PSA PowerTrain is a manufacturer of petrol and diesel engines for a range of companies including BMW, Ford, Jaguar, and Land Rover. It was founded by Peugeot in 1898 in Lille and later named Compagnie Lilloise de Moteurs (CLM).
Is the Citroën C1 a Toyota engine?
Citroën C1 petrol engines: Generation I (2005-2014)
The Citroën C1 petrol engine range was based on the proven Toyota 1KR-FE engine with a displacement of 1.0 liters.
Who makes the 1.2 PureTech engine?
PSA Peugeot Citroën
