The second-generation Citroen C3 Aircross made its debut last week, and it looks nothing like the car previously sold in Australia.
Starting with the 2022 Oli concept, Citroen began redefining its design language, junking its familiar rounded forms and smooth surfacing for straighter lines and sharper edges, along with a retro take on its double chevron logo.
The first production vehicle to wear the new styling theme was the C3 hatch, unveiled in October 2023.
Despite sharing most design elements with the C3 hatch, the new C3 Aircross is a taller and longer vehicle. Measuring 4.39m long, the new model is 240mm longer than the outgoing car.
As such, the new C3 Aircross is available with a third row of seats, and the ability to carry up to seven people.
Both European versions of the C3 Aircross and C3 hatch are based on the Smart Car Platform, a cheaper-to-produce and EV-ready version of the Stellantis CMP architecture, originally designed for markets such as Brazil, Latin America and India, but since modified to be suitable for sale in Europe.
The Small Car Platform underpins the recently unveiled Opel/Vauxhall Frontera, as well as a plethora of upcoming Fiat models.
It also forms the basis of the other second-generation C3 Aircross, which was unveiled in 2023 and is currently on sale in Latin America and India.
While the developing market C3 Aircross and the new Euro version are roughly the same size, and have some design similarities, especially around the doors, the two crossovers have unique bodies, with the non-Euro variant sticking with the brand’s old double chevron logo that flows into the chrome grille bars.
Citroen hasn’t detailed which drivetrains will be available in the new Euro C3 Aircross, but the offerings shouldn’t be too different from what’s available in the European C3 hatchback.
The latest C3 was launched in October 2023 as the e-C3 with an electric drivetrain featuring an 83kW motor driving the front wheels, a leisurely 0-100km/h time of around 11 seconds, a top speed of 135km/h, DC fast charging up to 100kW, and a 44kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack good for a 320km WLTP range rating.
While it’s no rocket ship, the pared-back specs help the Slovakia-built hatch undercut some of its China-built competition with a starting price of €23,300 ($37,720).
This month Citroen took the wraps off the petrol-powered variants of the Euro C3. The range kicks off with a 75kW 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual.
Step up to the Hybrid 100 model, and this 1.2-litre engine is paired with a 48V mild hybrid system that includes a 21kW/55Nm electric motor built into dual-clutch transmission.
Australian availability of the e-C3 and latest C3 hatch have yet to be confirmed.
