New Citroen C3 Aircross launched in South Africa – and it’s R85,000 cheaper than before

Citroen has introduced a new entry-level specification for the C3 Aircross in South Africa.

The new derivative, known as the Plus, costs just R269,900 as per our sources at Duoporta Vehicle Information Specialists,making it R85,000 cheaper than the previous starter model – the Max.

This also means that the French carmaker has managed to slash a staggering R180,000 off the crossover’s asking price since the new version first went on sale in July.

Engine

The biggest difference between the Plus and the Max units is the engine, as the former lacks a turbocharger.

As a result, the Plus runs on a naturally-aspirated, 1.2-litre petrol plant – the same motor found in the smaller C3 crossover.

This drivetrain generates 61kW and 115Nm and connects to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox, leading to an average fuel consumption of 6.2l/100km.

As a point of reference, the Max variants are equipped with a 1.2-litre turbo block, which raises its output to 81kW and 205Nm.

The Max is also fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission, so you will need to purchase the higher-spec models if you want a two-pedal setup.

Features

A few items have been taken off the base C3’s brochure to justify its lower price tag.

The 17-inch alloy wheels have been replaced with 16-inch steel rims, there are four speakers instead of six, and it doesn’t come with a digital instrument cluster, tyre-pressure monitoring, and auto-folding side mirrors.

That being said, the Aircross still brings a generous amount of kit for the price, including LED daytime running lights, a two-tone roof, a full-size spare wheel, electronically adjustable side mirrors, all-electric windows, manual air conditioning, a leather multifunction steering wheel, front and rear USB ports, a 12V socket, and a 10-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

This is on top of safety and assistance offerings such as electronic stability control, hill assist, ABS, rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and six airbags.

Pricing

The South African pricing for the updated C3 Aircross series is as follows:

• Citroen C3 Aircross 1.2 Plus – R269,900 (new)
• Citroen C3 Aircross 1.2T Max – R354,900
• Citroen C3 Aircross 1.2T Max 7-seater – R364,900

This includes a 5-year/100,000km warranty with roadside assistance and a 4-year/60,000km service plan.

Citroen C3 Aircross