The new Citroën C3 Aircross has officially gone on sale in South Africa.
The crossover will now start at R344,900, slashing its price tag by a staggering R105,000 compared to the outgoing units, which begin at R449,900.
What’s new
Like the smaller C3 that made its debut last year, the new C3 Aircross is a much more affordable vehicle intended to help reposition Citroën as an entry-level brand in South Africa.
For now, the crossover is available in two specifications based on the Max trim level.
The newcomer is sourced from India, in contrast to the previous units built in Europe, though crucially it retains the line-up’s 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 81kW and 205Nm.
This is transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox, resulting in an average fuel consumption of 6.3l/100km.
In the final quarter of 2024, the brand also plans to introduce an even cheaper 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated “Plus” option with 61kW and a five-speed manual box.
One important difference is that the new C3 is roughly 200mm longer than before, reaching a length of 4.32 metres with a “longest-in-class” wheelbase of 2,671mm, according to the automaker.
The reason for this extension is that the Aircross can now be bought with a “5+2” seat layout for only R10,000 extra, making it one of the most affordable seven-seaters in the country.
The five-seater version has boot space for 444 litres, while the seven-seater can take up to 511 litres when the back bench is folded or removed.
The 5+2 models also feature additional ceiling-mounted aircon vents at the back for the extra passengers.
Design-wise, the Citroën uses slim LED daytime running lights and sits atop 17-inch alloy rims, which contribute towards a ground clearance of 200mm.
It also has the option of four monotone paint schemes, and six dual-tone colours with a Platinum Grey, Cosmo Blue, or Polar White roof.
Standard equipment on the crossover includes a full-sized spare wheel, a six-speaker stereo, a leather multifunction steering wheel, front and rear USB ports, a 12V socket, a 7-inch TFT instrument cluster, manual aircon, electrically-adjustable side mirrors, and a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It also comes with electronic stability control, hill assist, ABS, tyre pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera.
Pricing
The South African pricing for the new Citroën C3 Aircross Max is as follows:
Each model is sold with a 5-year/100,000km warranty and a 4-year/60,000km service plan.
Additionally, customers will receive cover from Stellantis’ WePledge programme, which includes:
- Mobility guarantee for vehicles under warranty with OE parts and technical diagnostic unavailable within 48 hours.
- Security detail dispatched on request for people feeling unsafe in area of breakdown.
- Mobility guarantee for vehicles under warranty awaiting OE Parts and OE Technical Support after 30 days at an approved repairer.
- Quality Check Certificate – Provide accident repair quality check certificate to assure manufacture standard.
The entry-level Citroën C3 Aircross Plus will arrive in the final quarter of 2024.
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