Surprise! The new Citroen C3 is cheaper than its predecessor

The French went mad. After the electric e-C3, the new Citroen C3 with a 1.2 Turbo petrol engine has just gone on sale. The new car surprises with its price, which is lower than its predecessor and as much as PLN 39,400 less than the electric version.

The outgoing third generation Citroen C3, which has been on the market since 2016, currently costs PLN 76,400. It is powered by a PureTech 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder engine with a power of 83 HP. That is, without turbocharging. 110 horsepower C3 costs from PLN 92,450 and is offered only in the Max equipment version.

The new Citroen C3, which in the current generation has become a crossover (ground clearance increased from 13.5 to 16.3 cm), starts at PLN 71,250 in price lists. The 100 horsepower engine works between its front wheels, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.6 seconds. Average fuel consumption is 5.6 l/100 km.

For comparison, the “old” model reaches 100 km / h in 9.4 seconds, and on average “drinks” 5.3 liters of gasoline per 100 km. The car weighs 1,090 kg, while the new Citroen C3 weighs 1,159 kg.

New Citroen C3 You

The new Citroen C3 is available in two equipment versions – You and Max. The cheaper one runs on 16-inch steel rims, but it doesn’t skimp on safety features. On board we will find, among others:

• front, side and curtain airbags
• a set of ADAS PACK 3 support systems
• keep the way
• warning about driver fatigue
• rear parking sensors
• Eco LED lights

In addition, the Citroen C3 You offers manual air conditioning, a built-in smartphone holder with a special program for pairing with the car, manual control of the rearview mirrors, electric front windows, and fabric upholstery. There is no display of the multimedia system, which appears only in the most expensive variants.

The car, like the Max version, can be painted with one of 6 colors, only Monte Carlo blue does not require an additional fee. Polar White costs PLN 950, metallic varnishes cost PLN 2,850, and Elixir Red – PLN 3,800.

New Citroen C3 Max

The French attach a price tag of PLN 91,300 to the Citroen C3 Max. The equipment of the You variant includes, above all, automatic air conditioning, a multimedia and navigation system with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and a reversing camera.

In addition, the sound system with two speakers is replaced by 6 speakers, and the head screen is not LCD, but TFT. The Max has heated exterior mirrors with electric adjustment, automatic rear windows and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The driver and front passenger will certainly be pleased with the comfortable seats (Advanced Comfort) and the central console with armrest.

On a new platform

The new Citroen C3 was built on the platform Smart Car, intended for affordable electric and combustion vehicles. Originally discussed as an “affordable electric car”, called e-C3. “Cheap” means that in Poland you have to pay from PLN 110,650 for this car.

The French city crossover is 401 cm long, 176 cm wide and 157 cm tall. While the first two dimensions have not changed much compared to the outgoing model, the last one has increased by 10 cm.

According to the French, the current generation of this car is more open than the previous one. For seat passengers, it offers 3 cm more headroom and 2.1 cm more elbow room than the average B-segment model.

Compared to the outgoing C3, it will also offer 2 cm more knee room and 1.9 cm more elbow room in the second row of seats. The trunk is a good 310 liters (previously: 300 liters). Expandable by folding the 60:40 split bench.

From a technical point of view, the most important solution in the new Citroen C3 is the continuous hydraulic suspension springs, known for example from the C5 Aircross. In the case of small differences (light compression), the spring and the shock absorber together control the vertical movement of the body, without the need to use hydraulic cushions.

On the other hand, when there is a big flaw in the asphalt, all these elements work together. In this way, cushions gradually reduce body movements, eliminating shock. Unlike a rubber cushion, which absorbs energy and then returns some of it in the form of impact, the fluid element not only absorbs it, but also dissipates it.