The new Indian-built Citroën C3 Aircross undercuts the outgoing European version by more than R100 000 in South Africa, while also offering the option of 7 seats…
Stellantis South Africa continues its drive to reposition Citroën as the group’s most budget-friendly brand with the launch of the new Indian-built C3 Aircross, which Cars.co.za can confirm will undercut the outgoing European-made version by as much as R105 000.
It’s the next step in a strategy that first came to light back in May 2023, when Citroën’s local line-up welcomed the Indian-sourced CC21-generation C3 as a cut-price replacement for the European C3 hatchback. Logically, that blueprint will now be applied to the C3 Aircross, too.
As a reminder, the outgoing C3 Aircross is imported from Spain (where it’s built at the Zaragoza plant), with the local range comprising 2 derivatives: the 1.2T Feel 6AT (R449 900) and the 1.2T Shine 6AT (R474 900). The new CC24-generation version will instead be imported from Citroën’s Tamil Nadu plant in India, which produces this new model for markets in South East Asia and Africa.
So, how much will this latest C3 Aircross cost in South Africa? Well, Cars.co.za can confirm that the local line-up will again comprise 2 variants, but that the starting price will drop by as much as R105 000. Yes, the new C3 Aircross Max 1.2T 6AT will be priced at R344 900, while opting for the 7-seater version (or, perhaps more accurately, the “5+2 seater” option) will add R10 000, taking the price to R354 900.
The new made-in-India model will again use the Stellantis group’s familiar turbocharged 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine, generating an unchanged 81 kW and 205 Nm. At launch, the only transmission on offer will be a 6-speed torque-converter automatic, driving the front wheels (though a derivative pairing a manual gearbox with a naturally aspirated engine is scheduled to arrive in the final quarter of the year). Claimed combined fuel consumption is listed as 6.3 L/100 km.
The CC24-series C3 Aircross measures 4 323 mm from nose to tail, making it a considerable 181 mm longer than the model it replaces. This crossover’s wheelbase comes in at 2 671 mm (up 67 mm on the outgoing version), while it stands 1 796 mm wide and 1 654 mm tall. Ground clearance is 200 mm.
According to the French automaker, the 5-seater model’s rear headroom and kneeroom are both “class leading”. Interestingly, in the 5+2 seater, the 2nd row is mounted slightly further forward, with its bench seat splitting in a 70:30 ratio (the smaller section on the kerbside folding and tipping to allow access to the 3rd row of 2 pews).
Citroën describes the removable individual seats in this final row – which benefit from roof-mounted air vents – as “ideal for children”. With these 2 seats removed, the 5+2 seater offers a claimed 511 litres of luggage space, a figure that falls to 347 litres with both seats in place but folded down. The standard 5-seater, meanwhile, has a listed luggage capacity of 444 litres.
Standard features for both SA-spec models include 17-inch alloy wheels, front foglamps, LED daytime running lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster. Safety features include ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, electronic stability control, hill-hold control, tyre-pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors and a reverse-view camera.
*This story was originally published on 4 July 2024 and has since been updated with confirmed specifications.
How much does the new Citroën C3 Aircross cost in SA?
Citroën C3 Aircross Max 1.2T 6AT – R344 900
Citroën C3 Aircross Max 1.2T 6AT 7-seater – R354 900
The prices above include the brand’s standard 5-year/100 000 km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km).
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