The new fourth-generation Citroen C3 has been unveiled, with the new supermini gaining all-electric power for the first time and styling influences from the radical Citroën Oli concept.
Known as the ë-C3, the new electric Citroën will arrive next year with a price of below €25,000 (£22,000) thus undercutting rivals from China and pitting it against the equally inexpensive Dacia Spring EV.
Citroën says its new B-segment hatchback has been made more affordable due to its use of the Stellantis Smart Car electric platform, which was initially reserved for the C3 sold in India and South America.
The Smart Car platform has been improved to fall in line with European regulations, with a strengthened crash structure and a switch from a T-shape battery to a square layout.
Powering the ë-C3 is a 44kWh LFP (Lithium Ferro Phosphate)n battery which promises an official WLTP range of 199 miles. The Citroën’s closest rival, the Dacia Spring, gets a smaller 26.8kWh battery (25kWh usable) but can only travel up to 149 miles on a charge.
Charging is up to 100kW, allowing for a 20-80% top up in around 26 minutes. Standard AC charging using a 7kW home charger takes around four hours.
An 83kW (111bhp) electric motor drives the front wheels, with the ë-C3 capable of a 0-62mph time of 11 seconds and a top speed of 84mph.
Citroën has also developed a dedicated app for ë-C3 owners to monitor the EV’s charging status and battery level in real time.
Size-wise the new proportions of the new ë-C3 remain close to the previous generation model, albeit with 100mm growth in height for better headroom and a more SUV-like driving position.
This is also said to help room for rear passengers in the back, with Citroën claiming that the new ec3 has the most amount of knee room in its class.
The ë-C3’s exterior design has been influenced by the french marque’s striking Oli concept, with the headlight design, logo and head-up display inspired by the radical EV.
Other styling cues include clips on the bumpers and B-pillar. These are offered in a choice of colours including green, orange and white.
The roof rails are made from coloured plastic, which Citroën says uses fewer harmful chemicals than paint.
Inside the new ë-C3 takes on a more minimalist approach, with the new Citroën featuring a head-up display integrated into the upper part of the dashboard, with the two higher trim levels featuring a 10.25in touchscreen as standard.
The entry-level You variants swaps the infotainment screen for a smartphone dock, with a dedicated smartphone app in the pipeline that will give drivers access to music, radio, calls and sat-nav via their mobile phone.
Thankfully Citroën hasn’t gone for touch-operated buttons only, adding in a number of physical switches for the climate controls, as well as a number of buttons on the steering wheel.
Ride comfort was key for the new ë-C3, with the new EV gaining the firm’s progressive hydraulic bump stops for a ‘magic carpet ride’ feeling.
The ë-C3 also has extended suspension travel and larger profile tyres for greater ride quality.
The new European-made ë-C3 will arrive next year and will be offered in three trims: You, Plus, and Max. Prices are set to start from between £22,000 and £23,000.
