It is no secret that Citroen will start rolling out locally developed products from the second half of 2021. The first locally developed Citroen will be a sub-4 meter SUV, which is rumoured to be called the Citroen C3. Internally called the project C21, the Citroen C3 has recently been leaked online via scale model images.
Citroen C3 Design
The Citroen C3 design is heavily influenced by Citroen’s global SUVs including the C3 Aircross and the C5 Aircross. Sitting under 4 meters in length, the Citroen C3 comes with an SUV look with quirky and stylish design.
The front fascia gets the signature wide grille, flanked by dual-layer headlamps that looks similar to the one offered on the new C5. The small SUV gets a flat bonnet and an angular windshield, a flat roof and black cladding that runs across the body. The scale model reveals that the Citroen C3 gets a contrasting orange roof, orange treatment on the front bumper, blacked-out pillars and roof rails and dual-tone diamond-cut alloys. Chrome treatment can be seen on the front grille and around the Citroen logo. The new C3 gets rectangular-shaped tail-lamps and a dual-tone bumper with black cladding, and upright simple looking tailgate that houses a large Citroen logo in the centre.
Citroen C3 Interior
The spy images reveal that the Citroen C3 cabin will be premium and feature-loaded. It will get a free-standing large touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. The digital instrument console shares similarities with the one offered in the C5 Aircross. The SUV is expected to be equipped with features like automatic air-conditioning, an electric sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument console, an 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, multi-functional steering wheel, etc.
CMP (Common Modular Platform)
The new Citroen C3 compact SUV will be designed and developed on the new CMP (Common Modular Platform). It is basically the simplified version of the Peugeot 208’s platform, which also underpins the Peugeot 2008 SUV. This platform is compatible with different body styles including hatchbacks, SUVs and sedans, and different engine options such as petrol, hybrid and electric. In fact, Citroen is working on a new mini electric SUV based on the e-CMP platform.
Engine Specs
The new Citroen C3 compact SUV will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which can produce up to 130bhp of power. A 5-speed manual gearbox will come as standard, while a DCT automatic gearbox could join the line-up at a later stage.
The Citroen CC21 could be the first model in India to feature flex-fuel system, which is compatible to feature a 1.2L petrol engine with ethanol blends starting from 27% to entirely on the biofuel. The company believes that the small SUV could give Citroen a first-mover advantage in the flexi-fuel space in India.
Competition
The Citroen C3 compact SUV will be positioned against the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite and others in its segment.
Launch & Expected Price
The new model will be eligible to avail tax benefits offered on sub-4 meter cars with petrol engine of 1.2L or less capacity. The new model will have high level of localisation levels, which should help Citroen to price it competitively. It is likely to be priced around Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. The exact launch timeline is yet to be announced, but it is expected to be launched by October – before Diwali 2021.
