The Citroën C3 updates its look and improves its customisation options

The C3 name has been a success for the French manufacturer, and with it the brand has managed to sell around 4.5 million units worldwide, a truly impressive figure, of which some 750,000 correspond to the current third generation that reinvented this small compact. To keep this success going, the brand is updating the C3, bringing its image in line with the latest additions to the range and improving its customisation options.

With the launch of the Citroën C3 in 2016 came a change in design language that affected several of the brand’s models, a design that is now reinforced, using as a reference the “CxPerience” concept the brand presented at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. This gives the new C3 a front end with more personality, thanks to a new bonnet set higher and with clearly horizontal lines, followed by the characteristic chevrons and a chrome strip running side to side to emphasise its width. In addition, the LED headlights have been redesigned and the fog lights are highlighted with a contrasting decorative frame.

On the sides, depending on the version chosen, the wheel arches will be more prominent, surrounding wheel designs that increase in size, also depending on the version. Between the wheels, depending on the version chosen, there will be the characteristic Airbump protectors, which have been redesigned as a set of three capsules that feature a frame in the colour you choose when adding the “Colour Pack”. At the rear, the changes focus on giving the rear light cluster a 3D light signature, while the chevrons become gloss black with a chrome frame.

But if there is one thing that has characterised the Citroën C3 since its launch, it is its great capacity for customisation, which is now radically increased by going from 37 to 97 exterior combinations, meaning it can be configured entirely to your taste. This has been achieved by expanding the following areas:

• There will be seven body colours, of which Elixir Red and Spring Blue are new.
• Roof colours are now four, one of them new, Emerald Blue.
• The “Colour Packs” are also now four, with Anodised Emerald as the new one.
• Three roof graphics will be available in three different shades.

Turning to the interior of the new Citroën C3, the changes focus on making it more welcoming and distinguished, offering new materials, textures and technologies that will improve comfort for the driver and passengers. To this end, it offers better quality through new trim levels:

• Emerald trim: This is the most dynamic finish, offering a décor of contrasts between dark tones and the Emerald colour, which can be seen in the new “Comfort” seats, upholstered in technical fabric, and in the dashboard, with a black TEP strip running across it; while the inserts and certain colored textiles provide a fresh look.
• Techwood trim: With this finish, the new Citroën C3 aims to convey a sense of higher quality, using higher-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces. The white wood dashboard inserts feature a lattice pattern that also recalls the “CxPerience” concept, a colour that has also been applied to the upper part of the seats.

Continuing with the interior, the Citroën C3 will continue to stand out for its great comfort and roominess for all occupants, as well as a 300-litre boot that is certainly welcome in a vehicle of its size. This comfort for occupants is also reinforced technologically, with the 12 driver assistance systems available as options and the 7-inch touchscreen that forms part of its Connect NAV infotainment system.

Mechanically, the Citroën C3 can be fitted with two engines, the first being the three-cylinder petrol engine offered in two power levels of 83 CV (PureTech 83 S&S) or 110 CV (PureTech 110 S&S), the latter with the option of a manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic gearbox; while the diesel option is provided by the BlueHDi 100 S&S engine with 100 CV.

To find out the prices the Citroën C3 will have in Spain, we will have to wait a while, as it will not go on sale until next June.