Citroën C3 reinvented as crossover with electric version set to cost less than £23,000
Up to 199 miles on a charge
Citroën has revealed the next-generation C3, which is set to rival the Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208 in the small hatchback market.
Placing the emphasis on affordability while still offering a choice of petrol and electric fuel types, Citroën claims the new-look C3 is “re-writing the rulebook” for European small hatchbacks.
That’s partly down to the expected low prices. Citroën hasn’t confirmed those for the UK market yet but the French brand has said that even the battery-powered ë-C3 will cost less than £23,000 — and an even more affordable electric version (which will travel less far per charge) is in the pipeline.
New crossover style with raised seating position
As before, Citroën is aiming to make the C3 feel funky, practical and comfortable, with a taller and squarer body that fits in a similar footprint to that of the outgoing car. That means the driving position is 10cm higher than before, allowing easier ingress and egress, as well as a more SUV-like driving position and greater ground clearance.
The car also debuts Citroën’s new oval logo, which is a retro-inspired interpretation of the traditional Citroën chevrons. It’s also the first production model to get lights inspired by the radical Citroën Oli concept, with each cluster getting one vertical and two horizontal lenses.
Personalisation also plays a key role, with a “Color Clip” system of removable inserts offered in a choice of three different colours. Customers can purchase individual packs to suit their taste, or they can mix and match different colours to suit their mood.
According to Citroën, changing the inserts requires a tool that’s included with each pack, but it requires no specialist knowledge or assistance.
Head-up display style for the dashboard
Inside, Citroën is pushing its technology offering with the new head-up display concept that reflects information onto a glossy black section between the top of the dash panel and the bottom of the windscreen.
In addition, there’s a 10.25in touchscreen infotainment system that’s standard on high-end models and optional on the basic version.
Practicality is billed as a big selling point, too, with the new C3 getting more interior space than its predecessor despite having a similar footprint. Boot space has increased slightly, rising to 310 litres, though that’s still much less generous than the luggage bay in a Volkswagen Polo (351 litres) or a Renault Clio (391 litres), for example.
Electric model to lead the launch
Unsurprisingly, the ë-C3 model will attract many of the headlines, using a lithium ferro phosphate battery with a 44kWh capacity to power a 111bhp electric motor.
That will give the ë-C3 a leisurely 0-62mph time of around 11 seconds and an expected top speed of 84mph, though Citroën says that is “more than enough… to deal with everyday driving and traffic, particularly in urban and suburban environments.”
Citroën also says the ë-C3 will be capable of 199 miles on a single charge by the WLTP official economy test, while charging at up to 100kW speeds allows the battery to be recharged from 20 to 80 per cent in 26 minutes. Standard AC charging using a domestic ‘wallbox’ charger takes just over four hours to achieve the same 20-to-80-per-cent charge.
Another version of the ë-C3 under development promises to be even more affordable thanks to a smaller battery, offering a range of circa 120 miles. It is not yet clear if that model will be sold in the UK, though traditionally us Brits have shunned the absolute cheapest versions of almost every car (Dacia removed its most affordable models from the UK due to low demand, for example).
Citroën hasn’t confirmed the details of the petrol engines on offer but they’re expected to include the 1.2-litre PureTech turbocharged unit currently found in many of Citroën’s (and sister brand Peugeot’s) current products.
Comfort and safety
Despite the bargain basement approach, the French brand has confirmed that its Advanced Comfort suspension will make an appearance on the C3. Designed to provide the comfort for which Citroën is traditionally known, the system uses “progressive hydraulic cushions” in the suspension system to iron out imperfections in the road surface, slowing the movement gradually to prevent jolts at the limit of each damper’s range.
In the case of the ë-C3, Citroën has promised to use this technology and the electric motor to help deliver “zero noise, zero vibration and zero stress” (on top of the zero exhaust emissions).
Technology will also play a part in the new C3’s safety credentials, with a range of driver assistance systems on offer. Active Safety Brake tech can automatically brake the vehicle to help prevent or mitigate collisions, while the Active Lane Departure Warning system will help apply corrective steering if it senses the car wandering out of its lane. Speed limit recognition tech is also included, along with cruise control, while rear parking sensors and a reversing camera will also be available.
Versions available
Citroën says customers will get a choice of three trim levels, with the basic You joined by Plus and Max models. And for added simplicity, no more than five option packs will be offered with each version.
“Offering affordable vehicles has always been a major part of Citroën’s DNA,” said Citroën CEO Thierry Koskas.“ But customer expectations for vehicles in the segment have changed, notably with the rise in popularity of SUVs and the increasing desire to drive electric in and around our cities, and it has become more challenging for European vehicle makers to meet those expectations.
“Uniquely, Citroën is daring to do exactly that with the all-new, all-electric ë-C3 for European buyers: a fresh, sharp and comfortable hatch that is fully-equipped, specifically designed for and made in Europe, and extremely affordable.”
Related articles
- If you found the new Citroën C3 interesting, you may want to check out Will Dron’s interview of Citroën boss Vincent Cobée
- Or catch up on all the car makers’ electric plans
- You might also like to read about the Citroën Oli concept, which features cardboard panels and focus on sustainability
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