With styling exuberance synonymous with Citroën models combined with a pricetag fit to enter the fast-growing B-segment, the latest C3 promises sales success for the French brand. Ian McLaren headed to Johannesburg to sample the reigning World Urban Car of the Year and determine if it has what it takes.
What are we driving?
The replacement for the impressively sophisticated, though somewhat niche outgoing Citroën C3 hatchback is a new, altogether more budget-friendly compact crossover that Stellantis, is hoping will introduce to an altogether broader audience to the brand.
No doubt keen to mimic the success that compatriot brand Renault has enjoyed with its respective “priced-to-go”, India-built offerings, including the Kwid, Kiger and Triber, the new C3 retains a welcome dose of the kind of styling exuberance that its maker is famous for, yet with reconsidered packaging that allows Citroën to enter the fast-growing so-called B-segment. This is the segment that currently accounts for 40% of monthly sales in South Africa and is thus lucrative to contend in. Within this B-segment (including hatch and so-called SUV), 33% of the current sales volume falls within the R200 000 to R250 000 price bracket.
Why is the new Citroën C3 significant?
Assembled in India using a heavily modified CMP platform (90% of the car’s components are now sourced locally), the new C3 forms part of a “C-cubed” programme that in that market will also see a new C3 Aircoss, as well as a C3X Sedan being assembled on the same architecture. Assuming the Aircross, in particular, makes its way to South Africa, this vehicle (available as a 7-seater in India) could rival the likes of the Hyundai Grand Creta.
Related: Touchdown Citroën C3 – Pricing and Spec for South Africa
Designed to take advantage of the Indian market’s sub-4-metre excise levy exception, the new C3 nevertheless boasts a useful 180 mm worth of ground clearance. The car is also the reigning World Urban Car of the Year.
What’s new on the Citroën C3?
For the time being, the C3 is offered exclusively with a 1,2-litre, three-cylinder engine mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. Citroën South Africa will consider introducing an automatic option at a later stage. There is also currently an 82 kW/190 N.m turbocharged version with a 6-speed manual transmission on sale in India.
It can’t be a simple task deciding on what standard equipment should be included in a vehicle where the price point is such an obviously sensitive factor. While the presence of a crisp, 10-inch touchscreen able to wireless connect to Apple Carplay or Andriod Auto is bound to appeal to a youthful audience, more pertinent for a parent or guardian potentially overseeing this purchase is a height adjustment on the driver’s seat to ensure an optimal driving position, as well as standard ABS with EBD (electronic brake distribution), a dual airbag system and parking sensors. There’s also a multifunction steering wheel, air-conditioning and electric windows.
Related: Updated Citroën C5 Aircross first drive review
I especially like the fact that the C3 is offered in a range of colours, including the ability to choose between colour coded or a black or orange contrast roof colour. When selecting the latter, the car’s well-put-together cabin receives a matching anodised orange fascia panel.
Don’t let negative reporting on the fact that the car only has manually adjustable side mirrors detract you. Instead, ask yourself how often you’re likely to adjust these items once they’re set at the optimal angle for your driving position.
Fitted as standard with a 15-inch steel wheel with plastic covers, an R8 300 upgrade sees these items replaced with a set of alloy wheels.
What does the new Citroën C3 cost?
And that’s the particularly cool thing about the new C3. While the starting price of R229 900 includes a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and 2-year/30 000 km service plan, Citroën South Africa has made it pretty simple to upgrade the car via a choice of two still relatively affordable packages.
An Elegance Pack (R2 200) adds various chrome trim elements to the exterior, including fog lamp surrounds and door handles, while a R2 700 Energy Pack includes a roof-mounted spoiler, rear skid plate and contrast colour side mirrors and fog lamp surrounds.
What are the new Citroën C3’s rivals?
At this price point, the C3’s most obvious rivals in our market are the Renault Kiger, Nissan Magnite and the admittedly more compact Suzuki Ignis.
Verdict
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Citroën brand. While I haven’t always understood the thinking around some of its products (including the wacky C3 Pluriel from the early 2000s), I appreciate the fact that this French brand isn’t afraid to push the boundaries, especially when it comes to expressive exterior designs.
On the road, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the C3’s 61 kW/115 N.m engine performed, especially considering Citroën’s decision to host this car’s launch event at an energy-sapping altitude of Johannesburg. While the five-speed manual transmission has a relatively long travel between cogs, an easy-going approach to both throttle inputs and corresponding gearshifts should leave most buyers in this segment more than satisfied with the real-world performance of the new C3. The added benefit is a claimed fuel consumption figure of just 5,6 L/100 km.
Related: Citroën AMI comically topples over at iconic Monaco hairpin
The new C3 offers the Citroën brand a timely reset by way of still quirky, stand-out styling and innovative thinking, yet now in a package with a price tag and an appropriately generous specifications list that will force buyers who we know from experience would rather purchase new than explore any number of pre-owned alternatives, to at least visit a showroom and take this car for a test drive.
Citroën C3 Fast Facts
- Price: R229 900
- Engine: 1,2-litre, 3-cylinder, naturally aspirated
- Transmission: five-speed manual
- Power: 61 kW @ 5 750 r/min
- Torque: 115 N.m @ 3 750 r/min
- Driven wheels: Front
- Fuel consumption: 5,6 L/100km (combined)
- CO2 emissions: 133 g/km
- Rivals: Nissan Magnite; Renault Kwid
Looking for an affordable vehicle? Find it with CARmag, browse here.
