Here we are! Less than three months after its presentation, Citroën is opening orders for its new ë-C3 a little early to take advantage of the French government's social leasing scheme, which is generating a great deal of interest. The thousands of people who have reserved the new C3 will now be able to turn their test drive into a real order.
The French government has announced the launch of social leasing, which allows you to benefit from a new electric car for a maximum of €150/month. This social leasing scheme has proved very popular, with almost a million connections to the site since its launch and almost 80,000 people already having asked to be contacted. To take advantage of this popularity, Citroën is expecting orders for the new C3 electric car, which is available from €54 per month under this social leasing scheme, making it one of the most accessible cars.
The brand is therefore opening orders for the new C3 today, three weeks ahead of schedule. Thierry Koskas, CEO of Citroën, explains: "Since mid-October, we have been inundated with requests for social leasing. However, we know that at some point there will be fewer elected officials than candidates, and therefore we want to make the trial a reality now", continuing that the new ë-C3 "is a unique offer on the market at €54 per month, I especially didn't want the government system to be full. By the end of the week, I expect to have received several thousand orders for the ë-C3 under the social leasing scheme".
A reduced range at unbeatable prices
As announced at the launch, the new Citroën C3 will be available from €23,300 excluding bonuses in France or from €99/month, i.e. at the same level as the current C3, even though it is not electric and does not have the Advanced Comfort suspension. The new Citroën C3 in You version is also very well equipped as, in addition to the Advanced Comfort suspension, it comes as standard with the new head-up display system, Citroën Head Up Display, and a smartphone docking station for infotainment. This system allows you to connect your smartphone to your vehicle and use its functions with complete ease and safety. The Citroën ë-C3 also comes with a high level of standard equipment, including air conditioning, Active Safety Brake (emergency braking system), rear parking assist, cruise control with speed limiter, active lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, Driver Attention Alert, front, side and curtain airbags, automatic dipped headlights and LED headlights.
The second level of specification, the top-of-the-range Max, is particularly well equipped with 17-inch Atacamite Diamond alloy wheels, two-tone paint with contrasting roof, available in black or white, gloss black roof bars and windows and dark tinted rear window. This level also includes navigation on a 10.25" touchscreen tablet, wireless charging for smartphones, Citroën Advanced Comfort seats, electrically folding and heated door mirrors, a wrapped steering wheel, a split rear seat 2/3-1/3, 3D LED tail lights, automatic climate control and a reversing camera. The Max version is available from €27,800 or from €179/month, i.e. €20/month cheaper than the Peugeot e-208 in the less well equipped Allure access version or €90/month cheaper than a Renault Clio Hybrid in the Techno version.
The price of this new ë-C3, combined with the 113 hp electric motor, which has a range of around 320 km, is a strong argument for covering the needs of a family. With the new C3, Citroën is therefore offering a 100% electric car that marks the start of a second phase in the energy transition by making it possible for everyone to drive an electric car. One of the major challenges for Citroën is to convince consumers to switch to electric motors, even though the brand will offer thermal motors for the C3, but orders will not be taken immediately. Citroën must therefore succeed in convincing people to go electric because the new C3 has a great many qualities, starting with a pleasant style, a high driving position, the highest level of comfort imaginable and a particularly pleasant interior. Given the particularly positive comments from journalists who have seen it, it is certain that the C3 will continue the great success of the third generation, especially as it has already received almost 15,000 pre-orders, which the brand will have to convert into enough orders to ensure a good start.