Citroen Back With A Bang – New C3 & C3 Aircross
Citroen is back in South Africa with a bang following the launch of three new models this week. Among the three new models, two of them are the new Citroen C3, C3 Aircross.
The entry-level Citroen C3 hatchback has been refreshed to appeal to a much younger market than before thanks to its youthful and vibrant styling. There are a lot of interesting colours around the car, like the contrasting bright colours around the foglamps. The roof also has a trendy floating effect thanks to gloss black pillars around the C3 and the doors feature the texture-rich ‘AirBumps’ as seen on the previous Cactus model. Up front is a pair of slim LED headlights outlined by two chrome bars that extend from the Citroen logo on the grille.
The interior is equally as exuberant with a large 7-inch touch screen at the centre of the dashboard to handle infotainment duty and connectivity through Bluetooth, USB and Apple CarPlay support. “With its unique body style, personalised features and connectivity, the new C3 is a bold, fresh, modern car. It illustrates the ongoing Citroën product offensive!” said Xavier Peugeot, Citroën Brand Product Director
The C3 is available in two variants. The entry-level ‘Feel’ model is powered by a 60kW 1.2-litre 3-cylinder naturally aspirated engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox while the more premium ‘Shine’ model makes use of a turbocharged 81kW 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed EAT transmission.
The second new model is the Citroen C3 Aircross which is a compact SUV version of the C3 hatchback. As such, the design is also based largely on the C3 hatchback albeit its raised ground clearance and high driving position. The pillars and roof of the C3 Aircross are finished in gloss black to emphasise the colourful roof rails. The boot of the compact SUV is also larger, offering capacity from 410-litres all the way up to 1289-litres with the rear seats folded down.
The C3 Aircross makes use of the turbocharged 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine , producing 81kW of power and 205Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission on both ‘Feel’ and ‘Shine’ derivatives.
Pricing:
Citroen C3 Feel – R239 900
Citroen C3 Shine – R289 900
Citroen C3 Aircross Feel – R339 900
Citroen C3 Aircross Shine – R359 900
Prices include a 5-year/100,000km warranty and service plan.
Also worth a look: the New Citroën Aircross: Family-Friendly and Feature-Packed and the Citroen C3.
FAQ
Q: What does the Citroen C3 cost in South Africa?
The Citroen C3 starts from around R280,000 for the Feel variant with the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine, while the turbocharged Shine model kicks off at approximately R320,000 with the 6-speed automatic transmission.
Q: Is the Citroen C3 Aircross worth buying?
The C3 Aircross offers solid value for money as a compact SUV with unique styling, higher ground clearance than the regular C3, and a larger boot capacity, making it worth considering if you need the extra practicality over a regular hatchback.
Q: What engine options are available in the new Citroen C3?
The C3 comes with two 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engines: a 60kW naturally aspirated unit with a 5-speed manual in the Feel model, and an 81kW turbocharged version with a 6-speed EAT automatic in the Shine variant.
Q: What technology features does the Citroen C3 have?
The C3 comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, and Apple CarPlay support for seamless smartphone integration.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, the new Citroen C3 is absolutely worth buying if you want something different from the usual Toyota Yaris or Volkswagen Polo crowd. Starting at around R280,000, the C3 offers unique French flair with those funky AirBumps, vibrant colour options, and solid tech features that make it one of the most characterful hatchbacks under R350,000 in South Africa. The C3 Aircross is also a smart buy for families needing SUV practicality without the hefty price tag of larger crossovers. Both models bring proper European build quality and quirky style that will turn heads at the local shopping centre, making them excellent alternatives to the predictable German and Japanese options dominating our roads.
