After launching the C3 hatchback, Citroen is preparing 3 more models for the Indian market. The company will launch an all-new electric vehicle in 2023. Adding to it, the French automaker is also developing a new compact SUV under its C-Cubed project. Under the C-Cube program, Citroen plans to offer 3 affordable cars including the C3 hatchback, new compact SUV and an all-new model in the unnamed segment. The new Citroen compact SUV will also go on sale in Brazil in 2023.
It was speculated that Citroen is also developing a new SUV to challenge the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, VW Taigun, Skoda Kushaq and the MG Astor. The company has started testing a new compact SUV, which has recently been spotted in India. It is likely to be called the next-gen Citroen C3 Aircross, which will be designed and developed on the C3 hatchback.
Internally called the CC24, the new Citroen compact SUV is expected to measure around 4.3 meters in length. The new model is expected to be priced significantly lower compared to its direct rivals. It will come with more modern styling elements along with modern features that are missing in the C3 hatchback.
The new Citroen compact SUV will continue to be based on the Stellantis’ CMP (Common Modular Platform) that also underpins the C3 hatchback. Previous reports claim that the company is planning to produce around 2,200 units of the new mid-sized SUV a month. It is likely to share the styling cues from the C4 Cactus, which is on sale in the international markets.
Similar to the new C3 hatchback, the new Citroen compact SUV will be the second product of the company’s new C-Cubed program. The spy images reveal that the SUV carries silhouette similar to its hatchback sibling; however, it looks significantly bigger than the C3. It is likely to feature Citroen’s signature logo with chrome finish, LED lighting system – LED headlamps with LED DRLs, LED turn indicators and LED tail-lights, black plastic cladding, signature grille with pronounced airdam with slats, and roof rails.
The new compact SUV is likely to be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with power output close to 130bhp. The company could also plan to introduce the hybrid version of the SUV to meet the real-world driving emission tests that come into effect in 2023.
Citroen Electric Car & C3 Automatic
Citroen will soon introduce the automatic version of the C3 hatchback in the country. The hatchback is currently available with two petrol engines – a 82bhp, 1.2L NA petrol and a 110bhp, 1.2L turbo petrol. The turbo petrol version will come with a new 6-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox.
The French automaker is also preparing an all-new electric car based on the C3 hatchback. It is reportedly to be unveiled by December 2022. The CMP modular platform currently underpins the Peugeot e-208, which features a 50kWh battery pack in Europe. Coupled to an electric motor with an output of 136PS and 260Nm, the Peugeot e-208 is claimed to offer a range of up to 362km in Europe. It is expected that the upcoming Citroen C3 electric could get the same battery pack.
