The new Citroën ë-C3 model. (source: Facebook/Citroën )
On Tuesday, Citroën revealed a more affordable electric car. In terms of pricing the car will compete with the small Dacia Spring, a Chinese-made e-car on sale in Europe.
The company will manufacture the ë-C3 model, said to be the cheapest European-built electric car, at the Stellantis car plant in Trnava, Slovakia. However, it will also have to compete with other lower-cost rivals, including the upcoming VW ID.2 and Renault 5.
Compared to its predecessor, the fourth generation of the C3 is taller and more angular, which gives it a robust appearance, writes the Sme daily. The trunk with a volume of 310 litres is one of the smallest in the B segment - the second smallest of the European segments for passenger cars, but it should be enough for city driving.
Old-school vibes
For the first time, the new - and rather old-school - oval logo of Citroën also appears on the car.
The interior looks very simple. The dashboard, except for the 10.25-inch screen, is reminiscent of cars from the 1980s. According to the manufacturer, this was the intention, as the old cars had an airy and spacious interior. Citroën calls this inspiration the C-Zen Lounge. The concept should provide a driver with an excellent view of the road.
Those interested in the new ë-C3 will have a choice of two versions when it comes to equipment - You or Max.
The customer will be able to choose from five colours - Polar white, Monte Carlo blue, Elixir red, Mercury grey and Nera black. Again, they can be combined with a white or black roof.
On sale in 2024
The new Citroën has an 83 kW electric motor that drives the front wheels. Acceleration from 0 to 100 takes 11 seconds. The maximum speed is 135 km/hr. Energy will be supplied by a lithium-iron-phosphate battery with a capacity of 44 kWh. It should be enough for a trip of up to 320 kilometres.
Thanks to the support of the 100 kW DC charging, the car will charge from 20 to 80 percent in 26 minutes.
The entry-level Citroën ë-C3 will go on sale in the second quarter of 2024 with a price starting at €23,300. Subsequently, in 2025, a version with a shorter 200-kilometre electric range and a price of just under €20,000 will appear on the market.
