Citroën has pulled the curtain on a completely new model with a well-known name. We are introduced to the new Citroën C3, a car that, despite its name suggesting otherwise, is not the successor of the European C3.
Citroën has developed a new model especially for the South American and Indian market to which it has a well-known name: C3. Remarkably enough, the Citroën C3 intended for those growth markets is on the same platform as the C3 that you can order in the Netherlands. This new, more crossover-like Citroën C3 has the same 2.54 meter long wheelbase and is almost completely similar in length to ‘our’ C3. It is in fact 3.98 meters long, while the C3 in European showrooms extends over a distance of – apart from a few millimeters – 4 meters. The fact that this new Citroën C3 is shorter than four meters is essential for the Indian market. Cars shorter than four meters are eligible there for, among other things, a tax advantage. Despite being slightly shorter, the boot space of Citroën’s newcomer at 415 liters is 15 liters larger than that of its European namesake.
Citroen C3
Citroën’s latest model is the first of a three-model line of vehicles that the brand plans to launch in emerging markets. In India, the new C3 is Citroën’s second model, the brand currently only sells the C5 Aircross. Without a doubt, Citroën will soon do good business with this C3. About a quarter of the cars sold in India are from the segment of this C3. The target groups that Citroën is aiming for are striking. For example, Citroën has for India “[…] married couples in their thirties” targeting it in Brazil “[…] in their forties with an active lifestyle and two children.”
Although Citroën says that the design of this C3 is focused on the Indian and South American market, it is clearly recognizable as Citroën. It has a well-known Citroën front with lighting divided over two layers, where the LED daytime running lights, as with the C4 and C5 X, consist of tapering stripes. The ground clearance of the small SUV-like C3 is a decent 18 centimeters. According to Citroën, the chassis of the car is specially designed for both asphalt and unpaved roads. No less than 40 percent of the roads in India are unpaved.
Citroen C3
The fact that the C3 is especially intended for growth markets does not mean that there is nothing to personalize. For example, the car is optionally available in a two-tone color scheme that allows various color combinations. The C3 also has a 10-inch large touch screen on its cheerfully shaped interior. Citroën will produce the C3 in India in Chennai, although it will soon also roll off the band in the Brazilian Porto Real. In the Indian market, the C3 will compete with the Renault Kiger, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Nissan Magnite, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300.