Citroen reinvents speed dating for First Dates

Citroen has cosied up with First Dates to bring a whole new meaning to the term ‘speed dating’.

The French car firm teamed up with the popular Channel 4 show to take three sets of blind dates on their first outings – a passenger ride with World Rally Championship driver Craig Breen.

This wasn’t just any regular taxi ride, though. The WRC contender got behind the wheel of a Citroen C3 with the prospective couples in the rear passenger seats, with Breen taking the supermini to its limits around a rally stage at Brands Hatch.

Much like the TV show, each couple was paired up based on interests, values and personalities. The dating series’ star waitress, CiCi Coleman, was also on hand to host the pairings and help keep things as sweet as possible with fresh crepes from a classic Citroen H Van.

The first to experience this new take on speed dating was brand manager Ariana and recruitment consultant Nick. The couple hit it off well before stepping into the C3 and, despite some awkward exchanges with strawberries during the ride, decided to head on a second date – presumably not on a rally stage.

Next up was personal trainer Danny and hotel receptionist Emily, who was looking for someone “that looks like Zac Efron”. Danny may not quite have offered that but the pair started well. Breen’s driving only upped the chemistry, with the pair making plans to meet again.

Finally, it was the turn of recruitment consultant James and doggy day care owner Andrea. Things started a little slow for the pair and, despite a literal increase in speed, it never took off for the couple – opting to see each other as friends, if at all again.

With two dates of three successful though, perhaps there’s a future in Citroen’s take on speed dating.

Emma Derrick, commercial development lead at Channel 4, said: “We’re enjoying working with Citroen to activate their broadcast sponsorship beyond the TV screen. This content, created for the brand’s own platforms, is a great extension combining both First Dates’ and Citroen’s assets to deliver a series of truly unique and entertaining films.”

Citroen signed a two-year sponsorship deal with Channel 4 and the series plus its spin-off, First Dates Hotel, last December.