- New C3 unveiled with fresh take on compact hatch styling
- Airbump technology to protect lower doors from bumps and scratches in urban environments
- Customisation key, with 36 exterior colour combinations Four interior mood options with wide, comfortable seating and spacious cabin
- Technology for sharing and safety – connected camera allows upload of images to social media
- Award winning PureTech petrol drivetrains and frugal diesels available
- Australian introduction currently being negotiated
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Citroën has unveiled its new C3, revealing a fresh take on styling and technology for the compact hatch segment.
Inside and out, the new C3 has been designed and engineered under Citroen's Advanced Comfort program, delivering a vehicle that promotes comfort, well-being and enjoyment.
Wide, comfortable seats, easy-to-use technology and a comfortable drive are the hallmarks of the new C3.
Comfort and design is backed by segment-first features including Citroen's unique Airbump technology and Citroën ConnectedCam™, an onboard HD camera that lets drivers share their road-trip photos and videos directly to the cloud.
General Manager for Citroen Australia, Kai Bruesewitz, said the new C3 would make a welcome addition to Citroen's Australian line-up.
"The new C3 brings with it a host of innovative and practical features wrapped up in an attractive and fun design.
"Negotiations are well underway and we are very keen to reintroduce the C3 to Australia if we can deliver a package that meets the needs of Australian customers and complements the overall local brand direction.
"In the likely case that those negotiations are successful, we anticipate launching the vehicle in Australia mid-2017 with specifications and pricing confirmed closer to this time," said Bruesewitz.
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New C3: FRESH AND OPTIMISTIC
"The new C3 has all the Citroën brand markers and all the qualities to give the brand new impetus. A major challenge for our best-seller, which accounts for almost one sale in five in Europe. A comfortable car with real personality, it is set to appeal to new customers looking for a modern car of character."
Linda Jackson, Citroën Brand CEO
OPTIMISTIC: The slick, smooth outline, graphic signature and cool colours make new C3 an undeniable trendsetter. The car's strong personality readily accommodates extensive customisation capabilities and its design takes a global approach to coherence and value enhancement.
There is a choice of three roof colours for the two-tone exterior plus a choice of three roof colours and colour choices for the fog lamps, wing mirrors, rear window surround and Airbumps®.
Customers can also choose between four different mood packs for the spacious interior, each addressing three different motoring moods.
HUMAN : The new C3 design was guided throughout by the Citroën Advanced Comfort® program, which brings Citroën's time-honoured focus of motoring comfort to the modern compact hatch class.
Comfort has been prioritised at every step of development, starting with the seats and moving to ingenious storage features and generous space allocation.
Beyond the physical, visual comfort has also been an area of focus with a panoramic sunroof that floods the passenger compartment with light. The deliberately designed cocoon effect filters out disturbances from the outside world and offers ergonomic usage with all functions accessible from the 7" touch screen. New C3 also features hands-free ignition.
SMART : New C3 brings up-to-the-minute technologies starting with the world première implementation of Citroën ConnectedCam™, a fully-integrated and connected HD camera system that films on-the-road experiences for immediate sharing on the social network or for subsequent viewing (or as evidence in the event of an incident).
Advanced driver assistance systems include 3D-connected navigation with speech recognition, reversing camera, lane departure alert and blind spot monitoring. The efficiency of new C3 also extends to a range of high-performance, high-efficiency engines PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesel engines and the latest-generation EAT6 automatic transmission.
"With its unique body style, personalised features and connectivity, the new C3 is a bold, fresh, modern car. It illustrates the ongoing Citroën product offensive!" Xavier Peugeot, Citroën Brand Product Director
AUDACIOUS BY DESIGN
There's nothing like new C3 on the road today. In fact its offbeat attitude bristles with freshness and energy yet stays true to the friendly and distinctive design that made its predecessor so popular.
The high-standing front end is strong and compelling, giving a powerful impression of robustness with a horizontally balanced outline right through from the waist. A new double chevron emblem design makes new C3 unmistakably Citroen.
With Citroën's characteristic two-tier front light signature the car seems to looks upward, enhancing the impression of bonnet height while the double chrome bar underlining the chevron badge runs right through to the LED daytime running lamps, enhancing the impression of width.
The round headlamps express a strong technological content and the body-coloured bumper both enhances the sense of height and lends a "go-anywhere" spirit. The fog lamps also feature colour surrounds for a touch of sparkle.
Viewed in profile, the new C3 has a floating roofline enhanced by black windscreen pillars. The taut roof curves accentuate the dynamic outline.
The horizontal window seals continue the deliberately high bonnet line by producing a steady, stable, reassuring posture and the fluid body surfaces extend downwards over the large diameter wheels in another strong character feature.
At the rear, the generously-proportioned, muscular wings give the car a ready-to-pounce appearance, an impression accentuated by the very short overhangs.
The Airbump® panels (air-filled bumps with a scratch-proof surface) are a Citroën signature feature and lend personality and style while protecting the vehicle in much the same way as a bumper.
The aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane material used in the Airbump® panels gives excellent resistance to damage from sunlight, water, aging and scratching. Each panel comprises six air-filled bumps at the bottom of each door, an especially vulnerable area of the car in the urban environment. The Airbump® panels have a white or red surround trim, depending on the model version.
The rear end again emphasises vehicle width with smooth surfaces providing an ideal backdrop for the 3D rear lamps which lend a unique, high-tech identity to new C3.
The C3 badge on new C3 is different to that sported by the previous model. The figure '3' appears in black with a chrome surround, recalling the gloss black chevrons with chrome surround used by Citroën models since C4 Cactus.
Attention has been given to new C3's aerodynamics. The roof is 40mm lower than on the previous model and all surfaces are optimised to make full use of the airflow.
Spacious interior designed as a living area
The new C3's interior is designed to feel like an extension of the driver's home, designers drawing inspiration from the non-automotive worlds of architecture, furniture and decoration for the interior. Design touches such as 'trunk straps' for the door pulls reference the world of luxury travel and link directly to the Cactus SUV.
The basic interior design principles of new C3 are based on uncluttered space, overall consistency and full, soft shapes.
The perception of space is immediately suggested by a horizontal layout, particularly the dash, which runs the entire width of the car, reinforcing the simplicity-oriented design approach to the passenger compartment as a whole.
Technological content is prominent in the form of the 7" touchscreen that appears suspended in the dashboard's centre and the chrome-surround air vents at either side of the dash again enhance the impression of width.
The dashboard design features a broad cross-trim that adds a feel of both width and character to the car. Buyers also have a choice of finishes for this feature, which makes a strong statement on design quality.
It can be painted, wrapped with textile or TEP lining, can be ordered with or without over-stitching and offers a choice of chrome or colour surround. It matches the seat material for a coherent interior mood.
The generous seats, key items in onboard wellbeing, have a unique design and the impression of comfort is further enhanced with a choice of bright, warm materials featuring a deliberately non-automotive look and feel.
Bringing customisation to the compact class
Customisation is an increasingly widespread social phenomenon in response to people's wishes to express their own personal style choices.
All-new C3 will be the first mid-range model to offer an extensive customisation capability both inside and out. Exterior appearance choices range from pop to classic, from sporty to trendy and the interior mood can emphasise warmth and cosiness or dynamism and technology.
Nine body colours (Banquise White, Perla Nera Black, Shark Grey, Aluminium Grey, Ruby Red, Almond Green, Cobalt Blue, Power Orange and Sand) and three roof colours (Opal White, Onyx Black, Aden Red) make for 36 possible colour combinations in all.
Colour choice goes beyond the body alone though with various features taking on the roof colour to produce a complimentary design both inside and out. The roof colour is repeated in the front fog lamp trims, the Airbump® surrounds on the sides, the wing mirror shells and the rear window trim.
Interior customisation takes the form of a choice of four possible moods, each expressed in upholstery material matched to the dashboard trim. With various colour and harmony features New C3 has something for everyone.
The "Standard" mood is uncluttered and neutral, with yellow over-stitched upholstery while the "Metropolitan Grey" mood puts the emphasis on warmth and brightness, with soft colours and textiles on the dashboard trim as well as the seat upholstery.
The "Urban Red" mood combines dark and bright colours to produce a dynamic feel, the lined dashboard trim featuring red over-stitching and a red surround over its whole width.
The "Hype Colorado" mood uses soft, upmarket materials and special upholstery with a colour contrast effect and width-wise signature, harmonising with a two-tone, leather-covered steering wheel.
ONBOARD WELLBEING
New C3's design was guided throughout by the innovative Citroën Advanced Comfort® program which seeks to offer driver and passengers the unique experience of feeling at home in the car.
An overriding design emphasis on driver and passenger wellbeing
The sensation of wellbeing starts with the comfortable seats, the panoramic sunroof that floods the passenger compartment with light, the big storage features and the generous space allocations.
These first impressions are confirmed by the colours and materials which draw overt inspiration from the worlds of furniture and travel.
Shapes are full and soft, there is no clutter and there is a strong width to the vehicle, enhancing the perception of space.
The visual impression of width in the dashboard and seat design is confirmed by the 1379mm shoulder width (up 20mm on the previous model). Rear seat legroom is also top-level.
The line of the front seats and the shape of their backrests optimise visibility, bringing the rear-seat passengers nearer the front for a friendlier atmosphere.
Great attention was given to new C3's seats, which appear sculpted in a modern style to suggest generous width and comfort.
The seats use quality materials and supple interior foams to give excellent lumbar support. Comfort is a two-stage process: soft and welcoming initially but becoming firm and reassuring. The supple seat foams have another purpose, namely to filter out the effects of road surface irregularities.
This is another important factor contributing to the overall sense of in-car comfort.
The five-door, five-seat new C3 is 3.99 metres long and is particularly agile thanks to its 10.7m turning circle which enhances its compactness and emphasises its manoeuvrability during city driving.
Advanced ergonomics for a smooth driving experience
For true comfort the car gives a hassle-free user experience with fluid, intuitive access to vehicle functions.
Under the Citroën Advanced Comfort® program, new Citroën C3 was designed with ergonomics uppermost in mind and the many ingenious storage spaces, the high clarity driver information and a wealth of intuitive technologies highlight that.
New C3's designers paid special attention to storage with an ingenious central cubby designed to maximise free space at the front of the vehicle. The glove box is the largest in this vehicle segment.
The front doors have large and ingenious cubbies in a light colour to contrast with their contents and boot capacity is a generous 300 litres (VDA).
A smooth driving experience also calls for an intuitive, interactive and responsive interface which new C3 offers with a 7" touchscreen tablet acting as the vehicle control centre.
This provides modern, intuitive access to all vehicle functions and makes for a superbly uncluttered dashboard. The tablet uses capacitive screen technology for optimum response and the groove at its base acts as a hand rest.
Convenience features also run to the car's hands-free access and ignition system, which allows it to be locked or unlocked and started without needing to use the key. The car even recognises its approaching driver.
UP-TO-THE-MINUTE TECHNOLOGIES
Citroën ConnectedCam™
The Citroën ConnectedCam™ system is a practical, convenient and friendly Citroën-made technology making its global premiere on new C3.
It consists of a two megapixel, wide angle (120-degrees), full HD connected camera with GPS and a 16-gigabyte internal memory. Fitted behind the rear-view mirror, it records everything the driver sees through the windscreen to log the driving experience.
The driver can click to safely take photos for keeping or sharing on the social networks immediately or, keeping the button pressed, shoot film with a 20 second duration for sharing once the car is stationary.
Stored content is directly accessible for keeping or sharing via the free Citroën ConnectedCam app.
In the event of a vehicle impact, the system automatically activates to record and save. The video can run for up to 90 seconds (30 seconds before and 60 seconds after) and can be used as evidence following an incident.
With the Citroën ConnectedCam application drivers can also geolocate their vehicle and store the position for easy relocation.
A wealth of useful technologies
The PSA Group A platform was optimised for this new model, bringing an excellent footprint/space ratio, an appealing design and superb comfort, efficiency and quietness.
For comfort, an advanced suspension system was used based on proven axle system architecture comprising a pseudo Macpherson Strut design with deformable struts which filter out road surface irregularities and aid overall comfort.
A new "H"-shaped crossbar, developed to enhance safety, fits beneath the seats for increased occupant protection through greater impact strength.
Globally, the new C3 comes with a choice of latest-generation, highly efficient and economical PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesel engines.
It offers a choice of three PureTech three-cylinder petrol engines with manual transmission (PureTech 68, 82 and 110 with engine Stop & Start). There are two manual diesel powertrains (BlueHDi 75 with Stop & Start and 100 with Stop & Start). New C3 will also be available with the optional EAT6 automatic transmission.
SAFETY AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE
New C3 comes with a vast array of useful assistance, safety and comfort technologies to enhance the driving experience.
Available technologies for assistance
An integrated 7" touch-screen is fitted to new C3 offering access to a range of safety, navigation, phone and media functions, including Mirror Screen technology which duplicates the driver's smartphone screen onto the central screen.
Drivers can access multimedia content directly from a smartphone and link it to the digital screen. The system is available with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (from early 2017) and MirrorLink®.
The reversing camera, with parking aids, switches on automatically when reverse gear is selected, providing valuable extended-vision assistance during vehicle manoeuvres. The main screen display shows the area behind the car and coloured markers indicate distances to any obstacles.
Hill-Start Assist helps with standing starts on gradients steeper than 3 percent and is active for two seconds after the brake pedal is released.
Technologies for safety
Lane Departure Warning System helps guard against driver drowsiness and momentary inattention at speeds above 65 km/h, giving audible and visual warnings if the car crosses a lane marker line without the indicator being used.
The Blind-Spot Monitoring System detects vehicles in the blind spots and shows them as pictograms in the exterior mirrors. This system, which uses the same principle as reversing radar, provides a valuable safety boost on multi-lane roads.
Driver Attention Alert tells drivers when it is time to take a break,the system activating after two hours' of uninterrupted driving at speeds above 70 km/h, then every hour afterwards.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 3.99 m
Width: 1.75 m
Height: 1.47 m
Wheelbase: 2.54 m
Boot volume: 300 l