New Citroen C3 Aircross goes electric and will seat seven

Published: 18 April 2024 Updated: 18 April 2024

► New Citroen C3 Aircross revealed
► Mix of powertrain options confirmed
► Seven seats but only as long as a Focus

Citroen has released the first images of its new C3 Aircross. The new SUV joins the Citroen range promising a massive amount of interior space and practicality in a relatively small footprint.

Naturally, the new C3 Aircross is closely related to the recently-revealed C3 – a boxy small car that’s designed to be as value-driven as possible. So much so that the new C3 Aircross shares the same, cost-focused ‘Smart Car’ platform that’s been derived from an architecture originally developed for the Indian and South American markets.

The new C3 Aircross, however, goes more SUV-ish than its C3 sibling. And, despite its relatively reasonable length of 4.39m (which isn’t much different to a Ford Focus), Citroen says it can be had with seven seats.

The new 2024 Citroen C3 Aircross: the design story

Only exterior images are available for now, with more details to follow. Inspiration from the innovative back-to-basics Citroen Oli concept car is plain to see.

You’ll notice how similar the new Vauxhall Frontera is in shape and structure – likely due to the fact the two share a lot of the same tech. As with the C3, the Aircross will feature Citroen’s ‘head-up display’, which is actually the driver’s instruments reflected into a cowling on the top of the dashboard rather than the conventional norm of it being reflected onto the windscreen.

Citroen has confirmed that the new C3 Aircross will be available with a mix of powertrains, including combustion and (very likely only mild) hybrid engine options, as well as an electric model. The electric model will likely feature the same modest performance as the e-C3, meaning a single 111bhp e-motor and a top speed of 84mph – as well as a range circling 200 miles.

We’ll find out more details closer to the car’s launch towards the end of 2024.

By Jake Groves

CAR's deputy news editor, gamer, serial Lego-ist, lover of hot hatches

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