Citroen C3 Launching Today: What To Expect

The Citroen C3 is all set to go on sale in India tomorrow and it will be the French carmaker's second launch in our market. The pre-bookings of the new Citroen C3 began on July 1 itself. We were expecting the C3 to be a subcompact SUV or Aircross as it goes in Citroen's nomenclature, but last year in September, the brand made it clear that it is strategically positioning it as a SUV-inspired B-Segment hatchback which is a smart move as it opens a wider customer base for the French brand. Here's what we expect from the new Citoren C3.

Also Read: Citroen C3 Hatchback Review: Bonjour Little Hatch

Design

The Citroen C3 doesn't come with an automatic transmission, and that's a big miss in our opinion.

The Citroen C3 is built on the company's C-Cubed platform, which will spawn several new India-made models. Visually, the car looks every bit a Citroen, right from the sleek chrome elements that extend from Chevrons (the brand logo) to the dual-tone treatment with contrast inserts, and heavy cladding. In fact, the car does look like a baby C5 and that's not a bad thing. Citroen will offer the car in about 10 exterior colour combinations, including two dual-tone options, and a range of customisation choices. Other features will include sporty alloy wheels and roof rails among others.

Interior

The steering wheel intentionally designed as being a little compacts is Citroen because they feel like it's going to help with manoeuvrability.

On the inside, the C3 comes with a well-laid-out cabin with two interior trim options - Anodized Grey and Zesty Orange, with the latter offering a two-tone colour treatment. The vibrant panel on the dashboard matches the exterior shade of the car, while the air-con vents with glossy black bezels, are similar to the ones in the C5 Aircross. Customers will also get a choice of up to eight-seat covers, and there is a place to attach a smartphone clamp. The C3 also comes with a 2,540 mm wheelbase and a 315-litre boot space.

Features

The C3 gets a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple Car Play or Android Auto

In terms of features, the C3 gets a stick-out infotainment display with a 10-inch capacitive touchscreen unit. It offers the Mirror Screen function, in order to reproduce the display of the driver's smartphone apps like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The car also gets a flat-bottom multi-functional steering wheel, along with other features like auto climate control, a USB charger and a 12V socket among others.

Engines

With regards to suspension, the C3 gets MacPherson Strut with a coil spring up front, while at the back it is a rear twist beam layout

The Citroen C3 will be offered with the option of two 1.2-litre Puretech petrol engines. While the first one will be a naturally aspirated motor tuned to offer about 81 bhp, while mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Additionally, the C3 will also get a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is tuned to develop 108 bhp and 190 Nm of peak torque, while mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The turbo petrol version can go from 0-100 kmph in 10 seconds. As for fuel efficiency, the 1.2-litre NA motor returns 19.8 kmpl, while the turbo petrol option offers 19.4 kmpl.