The upcoming Citroën C3 could become an SUV

The chevron brand is undergoing a period of transformation, and the fourth generation of the Citroën C3 could become the flagship of this new identity. Rumour has it that the French city car could reach the market with a revised design inspired by the Oli concept we saw just a few days ago.

The Citroen New C3, currently on sale in Latin America and India, could give us some clues about what the new-generation European Citroën C3 will look like. We may get to enjoy a modern SUV, proudly sporting the new Citroën logo and losing the chrome bars that have been a characteristic element across the entire range. At the same time, a large number of body panels and components shared with the New C3 could help reduce production costs and contribute to prices more affordable than those of the competition.

Everything we know about the fourth generation of the Citroën C3

The new Citroën C3 will remain under four metres long, which will be enough to keep it in that segment. Inside the cabin, the C3 will not be futuristic and will not feature the recycled and recyclable materials used in the Oli. We could also see features such as the detachable Bluetooth speakers from the concept instead of a conventional audio system.

Citroën is known for its unconventional features, such as the uncovered panoramic sunroof and the fixed rear windows of the C4 Cactus, so it would not surprise us if some of this cost-cutting extravagance found its way into the C3. Moreover, the brand will remain true to its “Advanced Comfort” philosophy, even in the smallest and most affordable member of its lineup, which is the C3 following the demise of the C1.

The new C3 will finally move to the CMP architecture that already underpins the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa, a range of B-SUVs in the Stellantis portfolio, as well as the Citroën C4 and C4 X themselves. Being one of the last models to adopt the newest modular platform, together with smart cost-reduction solutions, will allow the C3 to be more affordable than its siblings. After all, the chevron brand is set to become Stellantis’ value brand alongside Fiat, rivalling Skoda and Dacia.

The latest reports from France suggest that the C3 will use electric motors sourced from China, with outputs of 80 CV (60 kW / 82 hp) and 107 CV (80 kW / 109 hp), nearly matching the petrol engines in the current range. As for the batteries, they could come from the Chinese company Svolt, with capacities of 40 kWh and 50 kWh, allowing an EV range of more than 300 km (186 miles) and supporting fast charging.