199-mile range for under £23,000

author: FutureCar Staff    

Citroën has unveiled its new-generation C3 supermini, which will be available in fully electric form with a range of up to 199 miles and a price tag of less than £23,000. The aim is to make electric mobility accessible to everyone, and in 2025, a more affordable variant with a range of 124 miles and a price of €19,990 (£17,358) will be introduced, although its availability in the UK has not yet been confirmed.

While petrol-powered versions of the C3 will be released later, the focus for now is on the ë-C3, which is being marketed as the first all-electric B-segment car designed in Europe and priced at this level. Unlike the cheaper Dacia Spring Electric, which is based on a Chinese-made model, the ë-C3 is built on Citroën's BEV-focused 'Smart Car' platform.

The ë-C3 is powered by a 113hp electric motor and features a fully automatic transmission. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in around 11 seconds and has a top speed of 84mph (135km/h). The car is equipped with a 44kWh LFP (lithium ferro phosphate) battery pack, which can be charged from 20% to 80% in approximately four hours and 10 minutes using 7kW power. With the optional 11kW onboard charger, it can be charged in under three hours. The ë-C3 also supports DC rapid charging at up to 100kW, which can provide a 20% to 80% boost in just 26 minutes. Drivers can use the new e-Routes app, part of Citroën's 'Connect Plus' connected services subscription, to plan journeys and monitor their charging status and battery level in real-time. The MyCitroën app allows ë-C3 drivers to manage charging schedules, pre-heat or pre-cool the vehicle, and check its battery level and location.

The ë-C3 features Citroën's new design language and brand signature, with a crossover styling. It is 100mm taller than its predecessor and has almost 30mm of extra ground clearance, while being only 19mm longer and 6mm wider. The interior is more spacious, with rear seat knee clearance said to be best-in-class. The boot space is 310 litres, and all versions except the entry trim come with 60:40 split rear seats. The ë-C3 is also the first Citroën supermini to offer the brand's Advanced Comfort Suspension with hydraulic stops, as well as its latest-generation Advanced Comfort seats.

In the UK, the ë-C3 will be available in three grades – You, Plus, and Max. The range-topping Max version includes features such as LED rear lights, rear privacy glass, automatic air conditioning, 3D navigation, wireless charging, a rear camera, electrochrome rear-view mirror, and rear power windows. The ë-C3 comes with a range of driver assistance technologies, including active safety brake, active lane departure warning system, driver attention alert, and speed limit recognition. Cruise control with speed limiter, hill start assist, intelligent beam headlights, and rear parking sensors are also included.

For more of the latest industry news, click here.

FutureCar Staff