Differently focused Citroën C3 crossover coming to South Africa

The announcement that Stellantis South Africa is looking into the possible introduction of the developing market Citroën C3 Aircross in 2024, will soon receive renewed emphasis as it has been confirmed that the standard C3 will be launched later this month.

Same but different

Despite sharing its nomenclature with the B-segment hatch sold until now, the internally designated CC21 C3 is an altogether different model developed for markets such as India and South America.

Based on the former PSA Group’s CMP platform that currently underpins the Opel Corsa and Mokka, as well as the Peugeot 208 and 2008, the C3 eschews the European model’s hatch design for a slimmer crossover/SUV appearance Citroën at the time of its unveiling last year described as a “modern hatchback” in spite of it being the complete opposite.

Conforming to India’s sub-four metre regulations, the C3 measures 3 981 mm long, 1 733 mm wide and 1 586 mm tall while riding on a 2 540 mm wheelbase.

Compared to European model, it loses 15 mm in overall length and 16 mm in width, but has the same wheelbase and a height advantage of 112 mm. Claimed ground clearance is also greater at 180 mm.

Function over style interior

Inside, the interior is also different in that it incorporates elements from the erstwhile C4 Cactus such as the steering wheel and gear lever.

The dashboard itself is also different and while its keeps the same air vent design as the European C3, the vents themselves are positioned below the infotainment display rather than above, while the side vents are bigger and the dash itself not as thin.

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A straight-forward climate control panel with physical dials and buttons replaces the touch-sensitive setup, with a further difference being the digital instrument cluster the European C3 doesn’t come out.

The infotainment system meanwhile is also bigger than on the EU C3 at 10-inches versus seven, and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Drivetrain

Providing seating for five as standard with Citroën claiming boot space of 315-litres versus the current model’s 300-litres, power, in India, comes from the familiar 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech petrol engine in two states of tune; 60kW/113Nm and 81kW/190Nm thanks to the inclusion of a turbocharger.

Transmission choices is an all-manual affair with the former getting a five-speed unit and the latter a six-speed.

A torque converter six-speed automatic can be had in Brazil, but only on models powered by the market specific normally aspirated 88 kW 1.6-litre petrol engine. The standard transmission, as on the 55 kW 1.0-litre Firefly that opens the range, is a five-speed manual.

Arrival when?

While it remains to be seen which engine and transmission combination Citroën South Africa opts for, the C3 is anticipated to considerably undercut the European model’s pricing that currently ranges from R305 900 for the base model 1.2 Feel to R374 900 for the 1.2-litre turbocharged automatic only Shine.

Reportedly set to unveiling towards the end of this month, expect a formal announcement to made in due course.

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