This story contains speculative renderings of the upcoming Citroën C3, created by Thanos Pappas for CarScoops, which are neither related to nor endorsed by Citroën.
Citroën is going through a period of transformation and the forthcoming fourth-generation C3 is likely to usher in the new era. The French supermini is rumored to receive a crossover treatment similar to the “New C3” introduced for emerging markets last year, although the European model could receive revised styling inspired by the Oli concept. It is also expected to be the first production model to feature the new Citroën emblem.
With the current third generation C3 that has been around since 2016 and remains largely unchanged despite the facelift in 2020, it is time for Citroën to unveil a whole new generation. As reported by the French publication L’Argus, the C3 will share common features with the new C3, but in a revised way to better adapt to the needs of European demographics and regulations.
In our exclusive rendering, we’ve combined the body of the new C3 with styling cues recently introduced by the Oli concept, including the rugged bumper, LED headlights, futuristic steel/aluminium wheels, flattened wheel arches and new type of air bulges . The result is a modern crossover, which proudly bears the new Citroën logo and loses the chrome bars that were a signature element of the whole range. At the same time, a large number of shared body panels and components with the new C3 could help reduce production costs and contribute to a more affordable price than competing offerings.
For those wondering what the C3’s relevance will be to the C3 Aircross now that they’ll both adopt an SUV stance, the main distinguishing point will be their footprint. The C3 is expected to stay below 4.0m (157.5in), while the next-gen C3 Aircross is expected to grow closer to 4.3m (169.3in). This size difference, along with the price difference between them, is more than enough to justify their coexistence in the small segment.
In the interior, the C3 will not get the futuristic look, nor the beautiful recycled and recyclable materials of the Oli concept, but it will have some features. Citroën will follow Dacia’s lead to use the user’s smartphone for media and navigation, replacing the expensive and often slow infotainment touchscreens. This solution is obviously cheaper for the manufacturer, but it can also increase functionality, as our devices are upgraded more often than cars. We may also see features such as the concept’s removable Bluetooth speakers instead of a conventional audio system.
Citroen is known for unconventional features like the uncovered panoramic sunroof and fixed rear windows of the C4 Cactus, so we wouldn’t be surprised if some of this cost-saving quirk makes its way to the C3. Also, the brand will remain faithful to the “Advanced Comfort” philosophy, even in the smallest and more affordable member of its range, namely the C3 after the demise of the C1 (the even smaller Ami is not a real car but a heavy four-wheeler) .
New underpinnings and a fully electric variant
The new C3 will finally transition into the CMP architecture that already underpins the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa superminis, a range of B-SUVs from the Stellantis portfolio and Citroën’s own C4 and C4 X. As one of the last models to adopting the newer modular platform alongside smart cost-saving solutions will allow the C3 to be more affordable than its siblings, in a similar way to the Skoda Fabia against the VW Polo and the Seat Ibiza. Citroën is, after all, destined to become the budget brand of Stellantis together with Fiat, with competitors such as Skoda and Dacia.
Arnaud Ribault, head of Citroën Europe, recently stated that electrification poses a “real threat” to affordable vehicles for all automakers, coupled with rising raw material costs. Laurent Barria, marketing and communications director for Citroën, however, confirmed to Autocar that the new C3 will be available in EV form.
The model will use the e-CMP platform, but instead of getting the latest electric motors and battery technology from the updated Peugeot e-208 and army of siblings, it will get Citroen-specific hardware to cut costs. The latest reports from France suggest that the C3 will use electric motors sourced from China, with power ratings of 80 hp (60 kW / 82 hp) and 107 hp (80 kW / 109 hp) almost matching the current petrol engines. range. As for the batteries, they could come from the Chinese company Svolt, with capacities of 40 kWh and 50 kWh, allowing for an EV range of over 300 km (186 miles) and supporting fast charging.
It’s hard to believe that Citroën will only use EV in the supermini segment, so we expect the C3 to get at least a petrol-powered variant after the disappearance of diesel engines from its range. The most likely candidate is the proven 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder engine widely used by all Stellantis brands. This engine will soon receive a mild-hybrid system for lower emissions, but the Citroën C3 may keep the ICE-only version to achieve a low starting price. Thanks to a growing number of EV offers, Citroën has low fleet average CO2 emissions.
Citroën confirmed that its new logo and corporate identity will be applied to production models from mid-2023. Furthermore, Laurent Barria revealed that the first model to wear the oval double chevron decal will be the new generation C3. So it’s safe to assume the new supermini will debut next year, with a European launch following shortly after.