A month and a half after its launch in India, the new Citroën C3 Aircross is finally being marketed in Brazil, where it enters one of the most difficult segments with solid arguments. in fact, not content with offering up to 7 seats, the new Citroën C3 Aircross will be the most accessible turbocharged SUV on the Brazilian market with very well placed prices.
This marketing of the new C3 Aircross on the Brazilian market therefore allows us to know the details of the range, the equipment but also the prices. We already knew that the brand's new compact SUV will only be available in Brazil with a single engine, a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 130 bhp and will only be mated to a CVT automatic transmission with 7 "virtual" gears. The last information that we communicated also allowed us to know that Citroën would only offer three versions and that the 7-seater version of the C3 Aircross would be distinguished from the 5-seater version by a small "7" on the tailgate.
Citroën confirms this previous information by offering only three trim levels for the new C3 Aircross, but contrary to what we thought, the brand has decided to keep these old trim names and, even more surprisingly, does not offer any entry-level trim levels. In fact, the range starts with the Feel finish, then moves on to the intermediate Feel Plus finish and, for the top of the range, Shine. The three finishes will all be available in 5- and 7-seater versions, allowing consumers to choose the version that best suits their needs and, in particular, those who want to go for a 7-seater without necessarily having to go for a high-end finish.
Designed and manufactured in Brazil, the new C3 Aircross has a very high local content of 75%, confirming Stellantis' commitment to strengthening the industrial sector in Brazil and South America. For Vanessa Castanho, Citroën Vice President for South America, "Strengthening our presence in the B-SUV segment is essential to Citroën's growth strategy in the region. As the second model in the C-Cubed project, the new C3 Aircross is another step towards our goal of reaching 4% market share by 2024.
The new C3 Aircross therefore has serious advantages to find a place in this difficult segment and help develop the brand's sales. Not only is it the only B-segment SUV to offer a 7-seater version, it also offers excellent spaciousness, in particular with the largest boot in its segment at 493 litres, a capacity that can be increased to over 1,000 litres with all rear seats folded. But the main advantage of the new C3 Aircross is its comfort, thanks to new seats in Brazil, with different types of foam and designed to support the entire body, details that are part of the Citroën Advanced Comfort concept that the brand is so proud of.
Finally, the new Citroën C3 Aircross is very well equipped from the outset, as it comes as standard with the Citroën Connect 10" touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wireless controls on the steering wheel, three USB ports including two for the second row, tyre pressure monitoring, stability and traction control with hill start assist, air conditioning, electric front and rear windows with One Touch function and longitudinal roof bars. Note that the 7-seat version of the new C3 Aircross adds the third row of seats to all trim levels, as well as dedicated air conditioning for the rear passengers.
The heart of the range, the Feel Pack, adds 16-inch alloy wheels, rear parking assistance, side airbags and electric mirrors. For the Shine version, the top of the new C3 Aircross range, the extra equipment is mainly aesthetic, with a two-tone Perla Nera Black roof, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, without forgetting the reversing camera, seats and steering wheel with top quality upholstery.
The new Citroën C3 Aircross is already available throughout the brand's Brazilian network, but for the moment only as a 5 seater, with prices for the 7 seater versions to be announced later. The prices are as follows
C3 Aircross Feel Turbo: R$ 109,990 or € 20,490
C3 Aircross Feel Plus Turbo: 119,990 Reals or €22,350
C3 Aircross Shine Turbo: 129,990 Reals or €24,200
These prices are significantly higher than those offered by the brand in India, where the C3 Aircross is available from €12,500, highlighting the difference in performance between the two vehicles, which, although aesthetically identical, are very different in terms of equipment and services.
In conclusion, although the new C3 Aircross enters a very competitive segment, it has significant advantages that make it unique in its category. Unique in its 7-seater version, in its comfort, in its livability, but also in its price, as the new C3 Aircross is much more accessible than its direct competitors, the Hyundai Creta or the Chevrolet Tracker, which are around 27,000 Reals or 5,000 Euros more expensive. Citroën's new SUV therefore has every chance of success in Brazil, especially as the brand is offering the first three servicing free of charge.