The All-new Citroën C3

Citroën’s design has been inspired by the very people who will drive the all-new C3. Its unique character makes for the ideal South African proposition, revelling in the practical requirements of customers in a typically chic Citroën style.

Leslie Ramsomaar, CEO & Managing Director, Stellantis South Africa, said: “The South African launch of the all-new Citroën C3 is one of the most important for us in recent times. The B-Segment represents nearly half of the passenger car market, and we are confident that the new C3’s crossover design and class-leading infotainment system will make it an attractive contender for prospective buyers. The C3 range will be further expanded with a high-grade model, an automatic option as well as a compact SUV in the near future.”

Brian Smith, Marketing Director, Stellantis South Africa adds: “We are excited to launch the all-new C3 for progressive customers who will experience Citroën’s Advanced Comfort®. The C3 has class-leading infotainment in an exceptional value package offering the confidence of elevated SUV motoring, the ability to customise with optional accessory packs to suit your style, and peace of mind with robust service and warranty backup. It’s what comes with the 2023 World Urban Car.”

Locally tailored for customers and driving conditions.

All-new C3 was conceived by Citroën designers and product development engineers with current customer demands firmly in mind. Citroën listened to the feedback from specific groups of potential customers to fully understand what they want in a hatchback, be it for family, young professionals, students, parents or homemakers. As a result, the new C3 combines all the attributes people expect in this segment: affordability, style, unique features and experiences to make life on board and behind the wheel as comfortable and rewarding as possible.

The New Citroën C3 is tailored to encompass highly demanding driving conditions, meaning vehicle agility was high on the list of desired features. So, the all-new C3 has been engineered to be sure-footed and responsive and to amplify driving comfort.

For optimal control, specially tuned steering and turning-circle – one of the best in the segment – are particularly useful and make the vehicle agile at low speeds and in heavy urban traffic where drivers may be required to make frequent lane changes or sudden manoeuvres to anticipate local traffic flows. This also helps with safer and more responsive cornering on twisty roads.

Suspension settings are also tuned to minimise body roll for more robust road holding and to help smooth out roughness and ruts.

Moreover, would-be owners specifically asked for maximum comfort for everyone on board. As a result, C3 occupants enjoy a commanding driving and seating position, while the plunging bonnet, windscreen angle, and side windows offer outstanding visibility. The carefully considered torsional rigidity of the vehicle’s body will ensure minimal vibration through the structure and provide maximum comfort to the occupants.

Unique Citroën presence with muscular SUV design in this C3.

The all-new C3 is unmistakably Citroën in its DNA, with a unique yet consistent design language that makes it stand apart from other offerings in the market.

Its face is instantly recognisable with its ‘Y’-form language lighting signature and traditional chevrons located at the centre of the grille. The famous Citroën logo stands proudly alone, separated from the two horizontal chrome bars extending towards the daytime running lamps on either side of the car. This is a key element of Citroën’s evolving new brand identity.

One of Citroën’s hallmark design DNA elements – the contrast between the horizontal side windows and a strong, vertical C-pillar – is immediately noticeable. The distinctive rear taillight design is formed from three geometric forms that were first seen on the 2022 Citroën Oli concept vehicle.

Other Citroën DNA details include the generous modelling around the bodywork to ensure an assertive and robust attitude like the distinctive, sculpted strokes on the bonnet, and the front and rear flanks which emphasise the vehicle’s width and volume. The interior ambience is also typically Citroën, for example, the use of two-tone seats. It certainly stands out from the crowd.

In addition to its Citroën DNA, the new C3’s strong stance is visually impactful from every angle and conveys enjoyment and adventure through tough design features that exude status, aspiration and confidence and provides high levels of on-road stability and onboard space.

The front end is particularly bold with its generous volume, ‘terraced’ vertical lamps and high, fast bonnet which flows smoothly through the windscreen, with its matte black A-pillars, and long roof panel. The vertical lower bumper features an imposing double grille supporting cooling and adding strength and presence.

While the wide C-pillar adds verticality and strength to the body, neat rear quarter windows add light and space for passengers inside. Seen from above, subtle roof ridges add torsional rigidity to reduce NVH, while subtle aerodynamic ‘bumps’ house the tailgate hinges to maximise rear headroom. Below the tailgate glass, a distinctive horizontal recessed area with vertical sides flows down into the rear bumper.

A caring, comfortable and versatile space.

The welcoming interior of the new C3 prioritises roominess and exceptional versatility for every family or individual need, whether daily commute or school run in the city, to nights out on the town.

An exclusive feeling of comfort is provided on board, so every occupant experiences an enhanced sense of well-being and enjoyment, regardless of where they sit. At first sight, the horizontal dashboard strengthens the impression of space and width in the passenger compartment, while the feeling of well-being is further reinforced by innovative approaches to fully adjustable seating with comfortable high-density foam embodying the Citroen Advanced Comfort®, intelligent packaging with plenty of storage space, and technologies that are more than purely functional. The elevated ride height and large window areas provide brightness and all-round visibility, while locally tailored materials and colours will appeal to families and enhance the cabin ambience.

There is an abundance of comfort and generous space for everyone inside the C3. Rear seat headroom is class-leading with excellent elbow and knee room.

Smart storage is plentiful. As well as a 1-litre glovebox and centre console area, 2-litre front door pockets hold a 1-litre bottle, and there are 1-litre pockets on the rear doors. Cupholders are provided front and rear and useful slots for smartphone storage are provided across the instrument panel with a neat ‘pencil tray’ sitting between IP sections for keeping small objects in easy reach.

A key area of focus was the internal ambience set off by trim options available to South African customers. On the dashboard, the horizontal upper section features a new high-quality anodized finish incorporating a chevron textured pattern that is warm to the touch and pleasing to the eye. South Africans have two dual-tone options on the dashboard, setting off the dual-tone roof options available externally.

Quality details finish in complementary hues and materials add visual interest, for example on the inserts on the door armrests and the IP pencil tray. Coloured stitching on the seats boosts the high-quality feel of the cabin and complements the signature Citroën Advanced Comfort® seat design.

Technology and seamless connectivity.

Smartphones and connected devices are essential in today’s fast-moving world. The All-new C3 is smartphone friendly, and the latest technology ensures families can stay seamlessly connected, entertained and powered up.

Up front, there’s an easy-to-use 10-inch (26cm) touchscreen, the largest in any hatch and the heart of the infotainment system. Bluetooth® for phone calls enables Mirror Screen technology to duplicate functions of a wirelessly connected smartphone, through Apple CarPlay™ or Android Auto™ for accessing multimedia content and apps. The phone will be recharged when using a wired connection via the USB data socket.

The driver also gets a new 7-inch (17.8 cm), colour TFT cluster screen with up to 6 modes for displaying vehicle information, as well as options to monitor trip computer, fuel consumption and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System to aid eco-driving. Settings and colour schemes can be configured to driver preferences using toggle controls on the tilt-adjustable steering wheel.

On the move, everyone can enjoy playing games, listening to their favourite tunes or catching up with social media thanks to quick-charging USB sockets.

Annoying phone cables around the dashboard are now a thing of the past. Citroën’s smart solution is neat ‘ears’ on the sides of the climate control bezel behind which wires can be routed, and a similar route is concealed under the upper instrument panel above the pencil tray.

Fun to drive.

The new C3 is powered by Citroën’s acclaimed PURETECH 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine, offering a superb balance of performance and fuel efficiency. With 61kW available, the C3 has more than ample power around town or on the open road, its 115Nm of torque allowing excellent flexibility and manoeuvrability. But the real advantage will be felt at the fuel pumps, the new C3 using just 5.6 litres/100km.

The suspension has been set up to ensure a smooth drive over all road surfaces with a modular chassis tuned to deliver maximum stability with a low body roll. Citroën calls it the Flying Carpet Effect and it is engineered for better shock absorption and a smoother drive, adding to overall comfort for all occupants.

Article on the new C3 by Citroën