Funky styling, customisable visuals, comfort, and PSA’s latest engines.
Citroen has unveiled an all-new 5-door hatch called the C3 that carries a lot of the cues seen on the funkier still C4 Cactus (even down to the wheel design) and, as they claim, an uncommon level of comfort and refinement to the segment and price point.
This new C3 is actually now Citroen’s third-generation of the car since the nameplate made its debut in 2002, though it shares quite little from its nearest predecessor, which can trace its roots further to the Citroen Saxo.
Just like the C4 Cactus, the new C3 emphasises a distinctive design language and a since unseen level of customisation for the would-be owner. The exterior itself has two tones of paint, a separate roof colour, and the accent colours are customisable too - fog lamps, door mirrors, rear quarter panels, and the Airbumps – for a total of 36 possible combinations.
It’s immediately distinguishable as a Citroen, with three sets of light clusters up front on each side. There outlines themselves are quite softly curved but the car is made simultaneously audacious with the funky multi-coloured additions and chrome accents peppered throughout.
Despite plainly being a city car, Citroen wanted to give the C3 a ‘protective’ character with a balance between body panels and glazed areas, deliberately high bonnet, short overhangs, substantial posture, and even wheel arch extensions to evoke the presence of a crossover.
You’ve noticed the Airbumps, I’m sure, and if you’ve seen the C4 Cactus you’re at least a little familiar with their practical function besides adding some visual distinction of the kind only Citroen can seemingly pull off. They’re scratchproof thanks to its thermoplastic polyurethane material, and designed to mitigate small collisions in prone areas – Citroen’s example being a stray shopping cart that would otherwise cause a small but annoying dent or nick.
Inside, the C3’s cabin was designed with a secondary directive to mimic home interior design, aiming to feel like an extension of the driver’s home. We’re not sure how many homes this car’s interior will be a dead ringer for, but it certainly looks airy for its size with a unique but clever layout. The seats have been paid particular attention, with Citroen giving it a wide and generous design. Interior accents can also be customised with the option of four unique design packs.
There is Citroen’s Connect Nav system via the centre-mounted 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. In addition, the C3 will be offered with a healthy spread of safety features and driving aids such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, reversing camera, Hill Start Assist, and Driver Attention Alert.
To offer the kind of comfort that Citroen wants the C3 (and pretty much all their cars) to offer, they’ve outfitted the new small hatch’s suspension with a pseudo Macpherson setup with deformable struts as well as a new H crossbar under the seats for even greater ride quality.
We’re not sure if the powertrain selection offered for the C3 will mirror those found in some of its other cars exactly, but Citroen says that will gain its PureTech turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engines with a manual transmission available in 3 states of tune or a 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel BlueHDi 75 or 100. Optionally, the C3’s engines can also be mated to a 6-speed automatic.
For more on Citroen vehicles, including pricing and specifications, check out our Showroom.
