Skip advert
Advertisement

Citroen New C3 small SUV revealed for developing markets

The Citroen New C3 model is separate to the European supermini and comes with a 10-inch touchscreen and a big boot for its size

Citroen has revealed a new SUV-inspired supermini that it hopes will be the vehicle to take the brand mainstream in India, when it is launched there in early 2022.

Called New C3, this small, sub-four metre hatchback is the first in a family of three vehicles designed and developed specifically for emerging markets, such as South America and India, where Citroen launched earlier this year with the C5 Aircross.

Almost a quarter of India’s rapidly growing new-car market comprises small hatchbacks, and the New C3 aims to capitalise on this. It will be built in Chennai, while South American-market versions of the car will be built in Brazil. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

A launch in Europe is off the cards though. Though it shares its name and market segment with the European C3, Citroen boss Vincent Cobee has placed plenty of distance between this new version and the larger model on sale in Britain since 2016.

“C3 is our trade name for all of our B-segment hatchbacks around the world, which doesn’t mean it’s the same model everywhere. This New C3 differs from the European version,” he explained. 

Some similarities exist between this New C3 and some of the models on sale in Citroen’s European line-up, however. It inherits some of the brand’s latest design cues, but applies them to a small SUV package; at 3.98 metres long the New C3 sneaks into a lower tax bracket under India’s road tax rules. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The tall and bulbous bonnet is headlined by the split headlight signature used on the latest C4 and the soon-to-launch C5 X. Citroen’s trademark Airbumps line the door sills, and the flared black plastic wheel arches give the New C3 a bit of SUV ruggedness, alongside the roof bars and the bash plate-style insert on the rear bumper. 

The raised ride height has been designed to give the New C3 additional clearance on less than perfect roads - around 40 per cent of India’s road network is unsurfaced. It also has very short front and rear overhangs, which, combined with the taller ride height compared with a conventional city car, should prove useful in South America with its typically tall curbsides. Cobee told Auto Express it had been developed with a local focus to the market.

Beyond some of the practicalities of the design, Citroen promises plenty of customisation options for buyers, with 11 single-tone and two-tone paint schemes to choose from. 

Inside, there’s seating for five occupants, and the brand promises plenty of practical storage compartments. Behind the passenger space is a 315-litre boot - 15 litres more than in the European C3 and a good size given the new car’s compact dimensions. 

Headlining the dashboard is a new widescreen 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, behind which is a small storage space. But alongside this huge screen, the New C3 retains plenty of traditional switchgear for the heating and ventilation controls. Three USB sockets are provided (one in the front, two in the rear) alongside a 12v output. 

Engines have not been confirmed, but the brand says that the New C3 will hit the Indian and South American markets in the first half of 2022.  

What are the best small SUVs in the UK? Click here for our top 10...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New facelifted Citroen Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay vans all available to order now
Citroen Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay vans
News

New facelifted Citroen Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay vans all available to order now

The first examples of the three facelifted vans are due to arrive in April
19 Mar 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
12 Mar 2024
All change at Stellantis: Vauxhall, Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat vans get a fresh new look
2023 Stellantis van lineup
News

All change at Stellantis: Vauxhall, Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat vans get a fresh new look

A total of 12 new models spearhead Stellantis' bid for greater commercial vehicle success
23 Oct 2023
Back to the drawing board at Citroen with new You!, Plus and Max trim levels
Citroen trim range
News

Back to the drawing board at Citroen with new You!, Plus and Max trim levels

You!, Plus and Max trim levels are designed to simplify the Citroen buying process
4 Oct 2023

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024