A few months after the new C3, Citroën today unveils the new C3 Aircross, completing the renewal of its B-segment. This second generation of the brand's urban SUV is inspired by the C3 and presents a new design that is radically different from the first generation, showing more muscle and style.
Muscular exterior styling
Based on the SmartCar platform launched in Europe by the new C3, the new C3 Aircross takes the opportunity to make a radical change to its offer, both in terms of style and dimensions. Indeed, gone is the length contained at 4m17, here the new C3 Aircross stretches up to 4m39, i.e. 3cm more than the C4, to offer an interior space that should be one of the most generous in the segment. This will be necessary because this second generation C3 Aircross will offer up to 7 seats thanks to the installation of two retractable seats in the boot, making it unique in the segment.
To dress these generous dimensions, Citroën relies on its new style, inaugurated by the oli concept and translated into series production for the first time on the new C3. This is where we find the brand's new visual signature, made up of two horizontal bands and a vertical one, with the headlights framing a black grille that incorporates the Citroën logo, proudly placed vertically at its centre. But here the style is much more muscular, with very generous front wings that visually widen the new C3 Aircross, giving it a very adventurous style and a lot of personality.
The brand's new urban SUV is inspired by its Indian and Brazilian counterparts, although it does not appear to use any body panels. We therefore find a very voluminous profile with a very long roof that ends with a vertical tailgate, necessary to provide adequate space for 7 people. As with the C3, we find a two-tone roof and the colour clips are placed vertically on the rear doors and the front bumper, Citroën continuing to play with horizontality and verticality. We also find the same aesthetic codes as on the C3 in the wheel arches with chevrons, codes that we find both on the front grille and on the rear bumper, Citroën definitely likes to play with its logo.
Broad electrification
For this second generation of the C3 Aircross, Citroën is opting for broad electrification with hybrid engines and a 100% electric range, in addition to the traditional thermal engines. However, the brand does not provide details on the engines offered on the C3 Aircross, but we can bet that it will abandon diesel to concentrate on a petrol offer made up of Puretech hybrid or on engines and a 100% electric offer that could resume the engine of the new C3, we will have to wait a few months to find out more.
Even if the brand promises comfort at the top for this new generation of the C3 Aircross, it is careful not to reveal photos of the interior, which it is still keeping secret until a detailed presentation before the summer. However, the images available allow us to assume that the new C3 Aircross will be inspired, if not by the interior style of the new C3, then at least by the resumption of the C-Zen Lounge concept introduced by the latter, which consists of a very horizontal dashboard with a small instrument cluster located at the base of the windscreen. We will have to wait a few more months to know all the details of this interior, which the brand promises will be full of touches that contribute to the sense of wellbeing on board, a signature that this new C3 Aircross claims to have. Like the C3 saloon, the new C3 Aircross will focus on comfort and will have all the equipment and technologies expected by customers in this market.
To sum up, the new C3 Aircross takes up the brand's new style introduced by the new C3, but in a much more muscular and exciting dimension, giving this second generation a completely different attitude to the current generation. Each styling line adds tension and energy to the C3 Aircross, which now exudes a great deal of confidence and takes on an SUV character without being aggressive. Although the brand does not reveal its interior, it indicates that it will be very habitable and comfortable, necessary to offer space for 7 passengers, constituting a new offering on the market that it will offer at competitive prices. We will have to wait until the summer to have all the information on this new generation C3 Aircross, which will be marketed this summer.