The first look at the Citroen’s C3 Aircross – their answer to budget brands Dacia and MG
HERE’S Citroen’s answer to budget brands Dacia and MG.
The C3 supermini is morphing into a 1:64 scale SUV. OK, not quite. But not far off.
The petrol version will cost £14k – right on MG3 money.
The electric version will cost £17k – right on Dacia Spring money. But it’s a bit bigger.
There will also be a longer-range e-C3 from £21k.
Plus, a bigger seven-seat C3 Aircross to steal the Dacia Jogger’s lunch.
Product and Strategy Director Laurence Hansen said: “Citroen has a long history of making affordable cars. We need to preserve the freedom of mobility for everyone.”
She is of course referring to the legendary 2CV. And the Visa. And the AX. And the Saxo. And even today’s C3. All were good value.
The £14k car uses a 75hp 1.2-litre petrol engine like the Corsa, and will be with us this time next year.
For those who still don’t know, Citroen, Peugeot, Vauxhall and others are owned by Stellantis and share key parts to keep costs down.
Except the new C3 has binned the traditional driver’s binnacle.
Instead there’s a thin strip across the bottom of the windscreen that displays the speedo, range and other essential data.
The £14k version doesn’t have an infotainment screen either.
You get a cradle for your phone. Job done.
But more expensive versions do get a 10in touchscreen with 3D satnav and reversing camera.
Whatever you pay, everyone gets the same wide, comfy seats and more space in all directions compared to today’s C3.
They also get Citroen’s clever pillow-soft suspension in a small car for the first time.
Electric C3 prices are yet to be finalised.
Assuming the Government doesn’t bring in the Rules Of Origin tariff in January, the £17k and £21k price tags are correct.
If they do bring it in, you can add on ten per cent.
But that’s the same for all EVs imported from Europe – as well as the ones we build and send the other way.
The £17k e-C3 has a 124-mile range. Never stray far from your postcode and you’re laughing.
But it doesn’t arrive here until 2025, giving the China-built Dacia Spring a head start.
The £21k car will do up to 199 miles and arrives about the same time as the petrol.
It uses a 44kWh LFP battery (Lithium Ferro Phosphate) which is less energy dense but cheaper to make than the batteries used in most other EVs.
It’ll rapid charge to 80 per cent in 26 minutes.
I’ll let you mull over the looks.
But it is worth noting that C3 debuts the new retro chevron badge. We like.
The light blue paint job is a nod to the 2CV. We like that too.
Buyers can pay a bit extra to personalise the little accents on the front bumper and rear pillars.
Tres bien.