Stellantis‘ automotive brand Citroen has just revealed the new all-electric SUV, e-C3. It is crucial for the company’s strategy to overthrow Chinese rivals in Europe.
Citroen e-C3 to use Smart Car platform to reduce price
AutoBlog reported that the new Citroen e-C3 will ride on Stellantis’ Smart Car platform to ensure affordability and compete with low-priced offerings from Chinese electric automakers.
The Citroen e-C3 will have a base price of 23,300 euros ($24,540). It can further drop with up to 5,000 euros in state subsidies for electric vehicles.
Notably, the automaker plans to source 90% of the EV’s components from low-cost countries. It also plans to import cheaper batteries from China and use the Smart Car platform.
Citroen will assemble the European-made model in Slovakia.
“This is the most important launch for the Citroën brand in at least 10 years. This is a new way of breaking market conventions. A European electric car at 23,000 euros? There isn’t one.”
Citroen General Manager Thierry Koskas told reporters
For context, the typical electric city car in Europe starts at approximately 30,000 euros.
Key specs
Citroen’s General Manager defines the new e-C3 model as a “fresh, sharp, and comfortable B-hatch.”
The Citroen e-C3 will utilize a China-made 44 kWh LFP battery that can deliver a WLTP-estimated driving range of 320 km (199 miles).
Its electric motor can generate a maximum output of 113 horsepower. Moreover, it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 11 seconds.
It also has an 84 mph (135 km/h) top speed with improved navigation experience via the e-ROUTES mobile app, Electrek indicated.
Interior
Considering that the base trim will only sell at about 20,000 euros before subsidies, Citroen did not include an infotainment screen. Nonetheless, it supports mobile phone integration, according
General Manager Koskas explained that the brand does not aim to offer the new model as a “technological Christmas tree” and only focuses on the most important features and technologies, such as soft suspension.
“It has comfort attributes and electrical attributes that are at the best level.”
Citroen General Manager Thierry Koskas told reporters
Meanwhile, the higher-end trim “Max” variant will have a standard 10″ touchscreen display that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Electrek asserted.
The Citroen e-C3 boasts a spacious cabin that offers a “homelike” feel thanks to its new Advanced Comfort seats. It also offers more smart storage areas.
The new Citroen model will also offer the brand’s C-Zen Lounge that “reinvents the traditional dashboard and provides extremely high levels of comfort.”
See Also:
- Citroen plans to launch the e-C3, first affordable European-built EV
- Citroen to launch an EV model for people with disabilities
- Citroen unveils first EV offering in India with reservations starting on January 22
- France boosts passenger EV market share to record-breaking 20% in September 2023
- EV market share now at a record 93% in Norway in September
Chinese electric automakers have disrupted the European electric vehicle market with their cheap model offerings. That said, launching the cheaper e-C3 model will significantly aid the brand in regaining its share in its home market.
Citroen plans to launch the new model across local dealerships as early as Q2 2024. It also plans to release a new variant with a 200 km driving range for a cheaper price of 19,990 euros ($21,000).
