Citroën calls the new car simply a hatchback, but it is more likely a crossover, because it has a high body (impressive 1.57 m), voluminous wheel arches, increased ground clearance (163 mm), a higher driving position at the wheel (+100 mm compared to the usual B hatchbacks -class) and, accordingly, more comfortable entry into the cabin.
Focus on comfort
The automaker notes the high comfort of the new hatchback. The electric car uses the innovative Citroen Advanced Comfort suspension with special shock absorbers with hydraulic bumpers as standard. The spacious interior of the new Citroën ë-C3 uses modern materials to provide occupants with a home-like feel in a large, bright living room.
The new seats are designed specifically for the Citroën ë-C3 and contain an additional layer of foam – it creates a pleasant soft feeling from the first contact, and also supports the body reliably and comfortably during long journeys or on bends.
Although the new C3 has become larger (length 4.01 m, width 1.76 m), it remains within the European B-class. And it is precisely thanks to the significant increase in the height of the body of the new electric car that its interior has become more spacious for passengers in all key areas.
According to the manufacturer’s measurements, the distance at the elbow level of the driver and front passenger has increased by 21 mm; the distance at the elbow level of the rear passengers has increased by 19 mm; and knee room for second-row passengers is among the best in class, some 20mm more than the average of rival vehicles. The efficient use of internal space is facilitated by the location of large wheels (16 – 17 inches!) literally at the corners of the body. This also ensures stability when maneuvering at speed.
At a new level, the Citroën ë-C3 has space for a variety of luggage. The cabin has a lot of storage space for small items that should always be “at hand”: niches in the door panels; shelves on the center console and in the armrest area, a separate convenient place for wireless charging.
The modular 60/40 split rear seat and the 1,015 mm width between the rear wheel arches ensure that the new ë-C3 can carry bulky items. Finally, the trunk itself, with a volume of 310 liters, will be sufficient for ordinary daily trips: to the store, sports club, picnic, work, etc.
There are some impressive elements in the interior, such as the fabric-covered lower part of the “Sofa Design” dashboard and the virtual instrument panel “stretched” across the entire width of the windshield.
Electric drive
So, from the point of view of style and convenience, the 2023 Citroën ë-C3 is doing well. But probably, many Ukrainian users are primarily interested in the characteristics of a new electric car, and there is something to look at here too. The technical basis of the new product is the new energy-efficient global platform Stellantis Smart Car. Thanks to its flexibility, it was possible to achieve a low price and high efficiency of an electric vehicle, and the Citroën ë-C3 was originally designed specifically for an electric drive.
The range of the Citroën ë-C3 reaches 320 km (according to the WLTP measurement cycle). The battery used on the ë-C3 is a modern lithium ferrophosphate type LFP (Lithium Ferro Phosphate) with a capacity of 44 kWh. Interestingly, in 2025 there will be a 3.3 thousand euro cheaper version with a smaller battery and a range of 200 km.
The charging speed is quite sufficient by modern standards. Standard AC charging from 20% to 80% takes 4 hours 10 minutes (7 kW charger power) or 2 hours 50 minutes (11 kW charger power). Access to AC charging stations at both home and public stations is simplified with a standard cable and Mode 3 charging port.
This is a convenient solution for regularly recharging your battery at home using a Wallbox, as well as at public charging stations. After all, such a cable and charging port are compatible with both single-phase charging station with a power of up to 7.4 kW, and with three-phase charging with a power of up to 11 kW.
At the same time, the 100 kW DC fast charging function allows you to replenish the battery from 20% to 80% of its capacity in just 26 minutes.
The movement of the new Citroen is driven by an 83 kW (113 hp) electric motor. Its performance is sufficient for both daily city trips and country trips. The car accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in about 11 seconds and offers a top speed of 135 km/h.
In short
The new Citroën ë-C3 electric car will begin to be sold in Ukraine in mid-2024. The announced price – from 19,990 euros for a version with a range of 200 km and from 23,300 euros for a car with an autonomy of 320 km – applies to all European countries, including Ukraine. In addition to two battery capacity options, there are two equipment levels – You and Max.
It is promised that a gasoline version of the new C3 will also be available for Ukrainian consumers, although there is no more detailed information about this yet. But we can expect that the Citroen C3 without the ë- index will not be inferior to an electric car in terms of basic characteristics, and it will not arrive in car dealerships much later.
2023-10-17 15:00:48
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