The second generation Citroen C3 Aircross made its debut last week and it looks nothing like the car currently on sale in Australia.
Starts with Oli Concept 2022 Citroen set out to redefine its design language, ditching the familiar rounded shapes and smooth surfaces for straighter lines and sharper edges, along with a classic take on the double chevron logo.
The first production car to carry the new styling theme was the hatch C3launches in October 2023.
Despite sharing most design elements with the C3 hatchback, the new C3 Aircross is a taller and longer vehicle. With a length of 4.39m, the new model is 240mm longer than the old car.
Thus, the new C3 Aircross has a third row of seats and is capable of carrying up to seven people.
Both the European versions of the C3 Aircross and C3 hatchback are based on the Smart Automotive Platform, a cheaper and EV-ready version of the Stellantis CMP architecture, originally designed for these markets. such as Brazil, Latin America and India, but has since been modified to be suitable for sale in Europe.
The small car platform underpins the recently launched Opel/Vauxhall Frontera, as well as many upcoming Fiat models.
It also underpins the other second-generation C3 Aircross, launched in 2023 and currently on sale in Latin America and India.
While the growing market C3 Aircross and the new Euro version are nearly identical in size and have some design similarities, especially around the doors, the two crossovers have unique bodywork. , with the non-Euro variant sporting the brand’s old double V logo. flows into the chrome grille bars.
Citroen hasn’t detailed which powertrains will be available in the new Euro C3 Aircross, the offerings won’t be too different from what’s on the European C3 hatchback.
The latest C3 was launched in October 2023 as e-C3 with an electric powertrain featuring an 83kW motor driving the front wheels, a leisurely 0-100km/h acceleration time of around 11 seconds, a top speed of 135km/h, DC fast charging up to 100kW and a lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP) 44kWh battery pack good for 320km WLTP rated range.
While it’s no rocket ship, the pared-down specifications give the Slovakian-built hatchback a starting price of 23,300 euros ($37,720).
This month Citroen announced the results Petrol-powered variant of the Euro C3 the range starts with a 75kW 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Upgrade to the Hybrid 100 model and the 1.2-litre engine is mated to a 48V mild-hybrid system that includes a 21kW/55Nm electric motor integrated into the dual-clutch transmission.
Availability of the e-C3 and latest C3 in Australia is yet to be confirmed.
