Manufacturer Citroën Class Supermini (B) | Production 2002–present Predecessor Citroën Saxo | |
 | ||
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive | ||
The Citroën C3 is a supermini car produced by Citroën since 2002. It replaced the Citroën Saxo in the model line-up and is currently in its second generation, although in June 2016 the third generation model made its appearance and will go on sale in January 2017. It is produced in a 5-door hatchback body style, with the first generation also being produced in a 2-door convertible version, called the C3 Pluriel. A 3-door hatchback, with a similar design as the second generation, marketed as a premium model, is available as the DS3.
Contents
- First generation 20022009
- Citron C3 Lumiere
- Facelift
- C3 Pluriel
- Engines
- Second generation 20092016
- Variants
- Third generation 2016
- References
A mini MPV version of the C3 was announced in July 2008, called the C3 Picasso, and was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. In South America, a mini SUV version, called the C3 Aircross, is produced and marketed only locally.
In 2014, the Citroën C3 was awarded most efficient small cars with the premium car DS 3.
First generation (2002–2009)
The first generation of the C3 was launched at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, as well as the 2001 Bologna Motor Show, and began marketing in January 2002, as a five-door hatchback. It was available with 1.1, 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol engines, and 1.4 and 1.6 litre common rail diesel engines. All models came as standard with a five-speed manual transmission, except for the Stop & Start model, which came with the SensoDrive gearbox, a five-speed semi-automatic transmission with paddle-shifters and manual and automatic modes. The top level was the only version that had the option of a four-speed fully automatic transmission.
In accordance with the PSA Group policy, the C3's chassis was used for the Peugeot 1007 and the Peugeot 207. Many components of the C3 are the same as those of the Peugeot 206.
Some versions of the C3 feature a start-stop system that can automatically cut the engine when not needed to save fuel, such as in traffic, and restart it briskly to move on again.
Citroën C3 Lumiere
The Citroën C3 Lumiere was a concept car that previewed the production Citroën C3, it was initially released in 1998 as a 5-door hatchback with 4 seats and rear suicide doors for easy access for passengers to the rear seats. It featured a 5-speed manual transmission and a 1.1 L TU1 I4 petrol engine up front.
Facelift
In late 2005, the C3 was given a minor redesign, with the front end featuring a more imposing bumper, wider lower air intake, single air intake slit below the restyled radiator grille and a re-positioned number plate. The rear of the car was also given redesigned light clusters with crystal coloured midsections. The passenger compartment was also enhanced with the fitting of a restyled dashboard with high-quality finish, as well as a newer, more modern instrument cluster making the driver information easier to read. The addition of light metallic grey embellishers around the central section of the fascia and air vents contributed to the updated interior, as did the completely re-designed front and rear door panels and trims. The steering was also improved so that it weights up with speed. Citroën also added a new 1.6 L 16-valve HDi diesel engine to the range, rated at 110 bhp (82 kW; 110 PS). The Pluriel also received similar interior alterations but was otherwise unchanged.
C3 Pluriel
Citroën marketed the C3 Pluriel (2003-2010) as a convertible with five open top variations, hence the name. Pluriel is a cognate with the English plural.
The Pluriel can be configured as a hatchback with a multi-layer insulated top; a full-length landaulet, operable partially or to the back window or any stage in between, with a buffet-minimizing wind deflector over the windshield; a fixed-profile convertible, with the roof open to the back window, the roof assembly folds into a well in the trunk floor; a full convertible where roof side rails are unlatched and removed. and as a roadster pick-up, where the back seats fold to a pickup-like bed with a drop-down tailgate.
The C3 Pluriel was introduced in July 2003 and was originally offered with a choice of a 1.4 or a 1.6 L petrol engine, and a 1.4 L diesel engine. The 1.6 L petrol came fitted, as standard, with a semi-automatic gearbox. The Pluriel was withdrawn in early 2010.
In October 2013, Top Gear Magazine placed the C3 Pluriel on its list of "The 13 worst cars of the last 20 years", describing the car as "useful as a chocolate teapot."
Engines
Second generation (2009–2016)
The second generation of the C3 was revealed in the media in June 2009, and made its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009. It features a new body design with a 108-degree field of vision windscreen, similar to the one of the larger C4 Picasso, which is available on all versions, except the entry model VT. The new C3 builds on the curvy profile of the previous model and has a look in keeping with other Citroën models and the older C3, although it is longer and wider than the old model. The lights at the front, bonnet, dashboard assembly and other components are shared with the DS3. On the new C3, the instrumentation is a mix of analogue dials beneath a styled cowl and a digital display for the fuel and trip computer. There is no temperature gauge (unlike the DS3), but a red and blue warning lamp to show hot or cold engines which come on as required. The drag coefficient is 0.307 Cd.
In engineering terms, the PSA TU powerplants are carried over from the old car and Citroën also announced a new range of small petrol engines which PSA Peugeot Citroën developed in partnership with BMW. These "Prince" engines have double overhead 16-valve camshaft, on demand oil and water pumps and BMW's patent injection and ignition technology. They are designed for low CO2 emissions and for good performance and economy. Economy was improved by the standard fit cruise control and speed limiter available on the VTR+, Airdream+ and Exclusive models. All versions have a standard fit "Gear Efficiency Indicator" which graphically states what gear to be in and when to change up and down to optimise economy. They come in 1.4 95 bhp and 1.6 120 hp versions with low emissions, as well as new diesel engines, all with CO2 emissions of under 120 g/km, plus an "Airdream+" model with 99 g/km using a new 1.6 HDI 90 bhp (67 kW; 91 PS) engine.
The New C3 was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009. It was launched in November 2009, as a 2010 model. Across Europe, the advertising slogan was known as "The Visiospace", playing on the merit of the large windscreen and the improved vision afforded.
Facelift
Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013, the C3 hatchback was revised to featuring updated exterior and interior, and more efficient engines. The C3 facelift comes with updated chevrons and bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights at the front and new tail light clusters combined with new reflectors set underneath the rear bumper.
Variants
There are four trim levels in the C3 range, which range from the entry level VT (which does not have the panoramic windscreen), the mid range VTR+ and eco efficient "Airdream+" (which has lower CO2 emissions) to the top of the range Exclusive, which has half cloth half alcantara seats, extra chrome outside, alloy wheels, an alarm, folding mirrors and power windows all around. Trim levels are denoted by a small badge on the rear window frame on the VT/VTR+ and Airdream+ and by a small chrome badge on each front door on Exclusive models. Norev have produced a 1:43 scale model of the new Citroën C3 in Botticelli Blue, Metallic Green and black.
Third generation (2016-)
On the 29th June 2016, the official pictures of the new C3 supermini have been revealed. The C3 takes front styling cues from the facelifted C4 Picasso & Grand C4 Picasso and receives side Airbumps mouldings from the C4 Cactus and will be available with Airbumps or without them. It will be offered with a choice of nine exterior colours and three contrast shades that appear on the roof, foglight trims, side mirrors and Airbump surrounds. Citroen claims the range will offer a total of 36 different colour combinations.