The new Citroën C3 is available in the ë-C3 electric version. This is announced at an unbeatable price in the segment, from €23,300. But, at this great price, are the services up to par or are we dealing with a low-cost car? To find out, we went to preview the car.
The C3 alone represents almost a third of Citroën’s sales in Europe. No need to say more to understand that with its renewal, the firm is playing big and expects a lot from this new generation, the fourth. With it, the manufacturer will cast a wider net since this new C3 is available in a 100% electric version (thermal will always exist). And this trendy version will definitely shake up the segment.
For its arrival on the market of the versatile electric city car, Citroën is making an impact with a shocking argument: a great price. This ë-C3 is promised from €23,300, even before taking into account the ecological bonus, with its best technical configuration (because a more economical variant will follow). That’s more than €10,000 less than the Peugeot e-208 and Renault Zoé! This C3 is also barely more expensive than the Dacia Spring, which costs from €20,800 to €22,300. Moreover, the Citroën model should become less expensive because the Spring will lose the bonus. The C3 should have it, which will give a price under €20,000!
With such a price, however, we can wonder if this C3 is low-cost! For the chevron brand, using these words is out of the question. They have already been banned from the vocabulary of Dacia, which since the launch of the latest Sandero, in 2020, has described itself as an essential brand, with vehicles that offer what customers need, without excess. And it’s a recipe that inspired Citroën, which is beginning a new chapter in its history with this C3. The brand will clearly play an entry-level role in the Stellantis galaxy, with simpler, more affordable vehicles.
Design: the new look of Citroën
The fourth C3 is thus inspired by the Sandero: to lower the price, it aims to be anti-superfluous and optimizes its production costs. It starts with the technical base, called Smart Car. This is a simplified version of the e-208 platform… in the same way that the Sandero now has the right to the base, also simplified, of the latest Clio.
The Smart Car was first designed for low-cost models offered in emerging countries, starting with a C3 launched in India. Citroën started from this car to design “our” C3. In addition to the platform, we find its general appearance. The silhouette thus marks a clear change compared to the previous C3. If the car keeps a contained length, with 4.01 meters, or two centimeters more, its shape is inspired by that of an urban SUV. The plump C3s thus give way to a cubic C3, significantly taller. The height increases by 9 cm, or 1.57 meters.
This C3 is still different from the Indian model, with revised front and rear parts. This was expected, because since the launch of the Indian version, Citroën has announced a new design with the Oli concept car. The European C3 is therefore the first production model which incorporates elements from Oli. It starts with the angular optics, with a light signature in three elements that form a hook. This signature is found on the back.
Another notable revival of the concept: the brand’s new logo, with a retro appearance, with chevrons in a straight oval facing the road. If the face of the concept was smoother, Citroën decided here to place the logo on a black strip which connects the headlights. The same thing is found at the rear. These strips feature the chevron patterns, a design found on the wheel arches. The SUV inspiration has the advantage of offering a city car with a well-protected body.
From the old C3, we find the two-tone bodywork, with black or white roofs. The biton will be standard on all models except the base. Citroën always offers colorful personalization packs. Little tip here: the customization consists of small strips that clip on and that the owner can change as they wish. These strips, present in the front bumper and on the quarter panel, are available in red, white or yellow. However, they are a little too discreet.
On board: space
The centimeters gained in height obviously benefit the passenger compartment. The driving position is elevated and the view is clear. The feeling of space is reinforced by the dashboard with its horizontal architecture, summarized by Citroën in two zones: a first which brings together the technical elements (ventilators, screen) and a second more decorative below, dressed with a fabric.
Coming back to the technical part, a particularity is the absence of instrumentation in classic position. Instead, Citroën offers a digital display at the base of the windshield, therefore higher up. This goes with a new, more compact steering wheel. A duo that is extremely reminiscent of the Peugeot i-Cockpit!
In the center, we find a beautiful 10.25-inch touch screen, with a presentation inspired by that of smartphones. This can include connected services, including a route planner. On the basic finish, no screen, but a support to attach your smartphone. A specific application allows you to transform it into a screen to access various functions, including audio.
To feel savings, we can look at the finish, with always hard plastics. Elements are also forgotten, like the height grab handles!
In the rear, legroom and elbow room are good average for the category. The C3 takes advantage of its beautiful height to be generous with the occupants’ heads. The C3 is a 5-seater, but the central passenger will be hampered by the transmission tunnel, the technical base also being designed for thermal. The trunk has a volume of 310 liters, a good value, but the threshold forms a hell of a step. The modularity is simple, with a 60/40 bench seat.
The technique: good autonomy
Is the canon price mainly obtained with a discounted technical sheet? Under the hood, first good surprise, no undersized engine. In its technical launch configuration, the ë-C3 receives a new 83 kW unit, or 113 hp, a power perfectly suited to a versatile city car. The maximum speed is limited to 135 km/h. We go from 0 to 100 km/h in around 11 seconds.
For the battery, Citroën chose LFP technology, which is less expensive. But the capacity is not ridiculous, with 44 kWh. The manufacturer thus promises a range in the WLTP mixed cycle of around 320 km. Certainly, in the category, the average is now between 350 and 400 km. But remember that these competitors are much more expensive! On the other side, a Dacia Spring is 230 km away.
320 km is more than enough for everyday trips. And for longer journeys, the C3 has an advantage over the Spring: it is equipped with 100 kW direct current fast charging. Cousin 208 is no better. We can thus refill from 20 to 80% in 26 minutes. For alternating current, there is a 7 kW on-board charger as standard. An 11 kW will be offered extra.
Equipment: anti-superfluous
This C3 promises Citroën comfort. And even at a low price, it has the right to suspensions with progressive hydraulic stops, a system which promises a “flying carpet” effect on the road by erasing all the irregularities.
For equipment, we think of Dacia again when we see the equipment of the C3: offering what is useful and expected by the customer. Example with parking: there are sensors at the rear and a reversing camera, but no sensors at the front or automated slot. For driving aids, we find lane keeping assistance, reading signs, monitoring the driver’s attention. But don’t expect semi-autonomous driving.
Another area to reduce costs: simplify the range. There will only be two finishes, You and Max. The €23,300 You will have 6 airbags as standard, automated emergency braking, cruise control and even air conditioning. The Max, at a price still unknown, will have the touch screen, navigation, wireless charging, reversing camera, electric mirrors.
The color chart is limited to five shades. The customer’s purchasing journey will therefore be rapid. Orders should be open by Christmas. For deliveries, you will have to wait until the second quarter of 2024.
In the end: our first opinion
This C3 is clearly a good surprise in electric version. The price is aggressive, while the services are not discounted. For €23,300, without purchase aid, we therefore have a spacious 5-seater city car promised to be comfortable, a 113 hp unit, a range of 320 km… The better equipped versions will be around €25,000, this will remain well placed compared to to competition. Citroën will therefore play spoilsport, at least until this competition reacts. We are obviously waiting for Renault’s response with the R5.
And Citroën is not going to stop there, since it has confirmed (after filming our video) the launch in 2025 of an even less expensive version, at €19,990. However, this will be satisfied with 200 km of autonomy. Spring really has something to worry about!
Read also
Dacia Spring: what will change with the restyling in 2024?