Citroën challenges the rulebook for European-designed and built B-segment cars with the reveal of the characterful fourth generation C3. The all-electric ë-C3 delivers best-in-class comfort, an easy electric experience, outstanding level of equipment and incredible value for money while being made in Europe.
Selling more than 5.6 million units since the launch of the first generation in 2002, the C3 is the brand’s most popular model and represents 29 percent of Citroën’s European sales volume. In 2022, the C3 captured 11 percent overall of the European B-segment market. Reinventing itself to aggressively meet the challenges of making all-electric mobility accessible to all at a net, fair and affordable price, the all-new ë-C3 signals a new chapter for Citroën. It is the first all-electric B-segment to be offered in the region by a European manufacturer, at this price level, designed in Europe and will be manufactured in Europe at the Stellantis Trnava manufacturing plant in Slovakia.
BEST IN CLASS COMFORT
For the first time in the history of the C3 hatchback, Citroën is fitting its innovative and exclusive Citroën Advanced Comfort® Suspension as standard equipment to all versions of the all-new, all-electric ë-C3. The spacious interior has been crafted around simple yet refined surfaces to provide occupants with an ambience similar to that of their home living room or lounge.
All-new ë-C3’s new pattern Citroën Advanced Comfort® seats are tailored for the car and use additional foam to provide a welcoming soft feel and supportive ride whatever the distance. At 1.57m high (excluding roof bars), the all-new ë-C3 is taller than its predecessor, and benefits from SUV-style ground clearance, making entry and exit easier and provides a more assured ride in urban or suburban driving.
All-new ë-C3 features C-Zen lounge, an innovative, spacious, and well-equipped interior, which – as can be expected from Citroën – reinvents the traditional dashboard and provides extremely high levels of comfort. A clean and uncluttered view forwards thanks to the large windscreen and a horizontal fascia that stretches across the entire vehicle. The fascia is split into two distinct levels, with the technical elements above, and a cozy fabric-wrapped ‘Sofa Design style’ section below.
A real departure for the upper level of the fascia is the lack of a traditional instrument cluster. Instead, the ë-C3 sees the first use of a new Citroën Head-Up Display that reflects vehicle information onto a glossy black section between the top of the dash panel and the bottom of the windscreen. There is no duplication of information as there would traditionally be between a Head-Up Display system and instrument cluster.
NEW PLATFORM AND SIMPLIFIED CHOICE TO DELIVER COST EFFICIENCY
For the first time in Europe, Citroën has engineered the all-new Citroën ë-C3 around a platform designed from the outset to accommodate an all-electric power train. With its 83kW (113hp) motor and fully automatic transmission accelerating the car from 0-100 km/h in around 11 seconds, and a provisional top speed of 135km/h, the all-new ë-C3 delivers more than enough power and performance to deal with everyday driving and traffic, particularly in urban and suburban environments.
Underpinning the car is a version of the highly flexible global Stellantis ‘Smart Car’ platform, and this has enabled Citroën to make the all-new ë-C3 accessible to customers at affordable pricing – comparable to an average petrol-engined B-hatch vehicle. The BEV-native platform uses a 44kWh battery pack to deliver up to 320km WLTP driving range, sufficient for the average electric journey. The 100kW DC fast charging capability allows recharging from 20 to 80 percent capacity in 26 minutes. Available in a streamlined line-up of just two well-equipped versions – ‘You’ and ‘Max’; to keep it even simpler, no more than 5 option packs will be offered on each trim.
BOLD DESIGN WITH NEW BRAND IDENTITY
The fourth-generation Citroën ë-C3 family for Europe has been completely reinvented with a fresh, assertive look embodying Citroën’s bold new brand design signature first previewed in the 2022 Citroën Oli concept. The signature identity continues at the rear with technical sculpting in the lower part of the rear tailgate, above which sits a horizontal gloss black decorative strip featuring the same chevron-inspired technical pattern used on the vertical front face and flanking the large, centrally positioned new oval Citroën logo.
STRENGHTEN THE BRAND IN EUROPE
The all-new ë-C3 spearheads a family of new models that will play a major role in enhancing Citroën’s European product line-up and brand values and further strengthen its competitive position at the heart of the market. “Our mission is to build the Citroën presence in Europe to at least 5 percent share of the European market and the addition early in 2024 of the affordable all-new, all-electric ë-C3 to our portfolio are key enablers to achieving that roadmap.
All-new ë-C3 also plays a major role in further strengthening Citroën’s accessible electrification programme, complementing the arrival of our new extended range ë-C4 and ë-C4X models, as well as the unique mobility solution that is the Citroën Ami,” Thierry Koskas, Citroën CEO, commented.
Speaking on the importance of this new B segment car launch, Colin Sheridan, MD of Citroën Ireland stated: “The all-new, all-electric Citroën ë-C3 is a game changer for the B-hatchback segment in Ireland. It combines the attributes customers most appreciate in SUVs; taller, more purposeful styling, but with a similar footprint to its predecessor, and crucially at a more affordable price making electrification more accessible and affordable for all.”
